Dublin Airport
The main gateway for Dublin and the national festival, with Ireland’s broadest international network.
Ireland’s national celebration · 13–17 March 2027
Plan St Patrick’s Day in Ireland.
Begin with Dublin’s five-day national festival, or choose a city and community celebration elsewhere on the island. Build the trip around official details, realistic March travel and time to experience Ireland beyond the parade.
13–17March 202717 MarchNational paradeDublinPlus events island-wide
Start with the celebration
Five festival days. A much bigger Ireland trip.
Dublin’s 2027 festival runs from Saturday 13 to Wednesday 17 March. The parade begins at midday on 17 March, while street performances, workshops, the funfair and After Dark programme animate the city across the preceding days.
The detailed programme is due in January 2027. Treat official event information as the source of truth and keep the wider itinerary flexible until ticketed events and road closures are confirmed.
Dublin 2027
Know the fixed details first.
The parade is free from standing areas along the route. Grandstand seating and a small number of festival events require separate booking.
Choose your atmosphere
Dublin is the headline—not the only parade.
Cork, Limerick, Galway and Killarney are among the major alternatives, with parades and celebrations also taking place in communities across the island. Confirm each local 2027 programme before travelling.
National festivalDublin
The largest programme, the national parade and five days of culture across the city.
Explore Dublin →
Southern cityCork
Pair a city parade and music programme with the character of Cork and its harbour.
Explore Cork →
Music & bandsLimerick
Build a city weekend around the parade and Limerick’s international band tradition.
Explore Limerick →
Creative westGalway
A strong street-performance tradition and a natural gateway to the west coast.
Explore Galway →
County Kerry celebrationKillarney
Combine the town’s parade and festival atmosphere with Killarney National Park.
Explore Kerry →Fly into the right part of Ireland
Four key airports.
Dublin is the obvious choice for the national festival. Cork, Shannon and Kerry provide direct access to the other featured city celebrations and a practical starting point for a wider itinerary.
Cork Airport
The natural arrival point for Cork city and celebrations across the south.
Shannon Airport
A strong choice for Limerick, Galway and a western Ireland extension.
Kerry Airport
The closest airport for Killarney and a south-west celebration.
Bring the car—or travel as a foot passenger
Four principal ferry gateways.
Dublin, Rosslare, Cork and Belfast cover the main passenger approaches from Britain and continental Europe. Routes and frequencies vary by operator and season, so check live sailings before fixing accommodation or an onward drive.
Dublin Port
A central east-coast gateway with passenger ferry connections to Britain and onward city access.
Rosslare Europort
South-east sailings connect Ireland with Britain and continental Europe.
Cork Ferry Port
A southern gateway for selected services from Britain and continental Europe.
Belfast Port
Passenger ferry access to Northern Ireland with convenient links towards Belfast city.
Air and sea carriers set their own identification rules. International visitors should also check whether Irish visa requirements or a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation applies to the route they intend to use, particularly when entering Northern Ireland.
A practical five-day plan
Keep the parade day clear.
March weather and festival crowds reward a compact itinerary. Add longer journeys before or after the core celebration rather than on 17 March.
Arrive & settle in
Choose an airport transfer or public transport, check in and learn the walking route between your accommodation and the city centre.
Plan the arrival →Culture before crowds
Use museums, food tours, live music and neighbourhood walks to experience Dublin beyond the parade route.
Browse Dublin experiences ↗Prepare for parade day
Recheck closures, viewing guidance and weather. Avoid overloading the evening before an early position along the route.
Official visitor information ↗Celebrate locally
Allow generous time, wear comfortable waterproof layers and keep the day focused on the parade and nearby festival programme.
Festival programme ↗Creates an all-day calendar entry for 13–17 March 2027. Recheck the official programme before travelling.
Book around the festival
Keep the practical pieces together.
Use official festival channels for programme and parade seating. These tools help organise accommodation, transport, mobile data and experiences around the celebration.
Official
Festival programme & parade
Open official guidance ↗ StayHotels & accommodation
Compare availability ↗ ArriveAirport transfers & car hire
Plan transport → ExploreDublin tours & activities
Browse experiences ↗ ConnectTravel eSIM
Arrange mobile data ↗ ExtendBuild the wider Ireland trip
Open the AI planner →Affiliate disclosure: Adventure Ireland may earn a commission when you book through selected travel links, at no additional cost to you. Availability, payment, confirmation, changes and cancellations are handled by the provider.
St Patrick’s Day travel questions
Plan for the celebration—not just the date.
Reviewed September 2026 against official 2027 festival guidance. Detailed programme information is expected in January 2027.
When is St Patrick’s Festival Dublin 2027?
The festival runs from Saturday 13 to Wednesday 17 March 2027. The national parade takes place at midday on 17 March.
Is the Dublin parade free?
Standing along the route is free. Covered grandstand seating and some individual festival events require booking through official channels.
What should visitors bring?
Expect changeable March weather. Comfortable footwear, waterproof layers and water are sensible; hearing protection can help visitors sensitive to large crowds and loud performances.
How early should accommodation be booked?
Book as early as your plans allow, but review cancellation terms carefully. A central hotel is convenient; a well-connected outer neighbourhood can offer better value when late-night transport works.
Can I celebrate outside Dublin?
Yes. Cork, Limerick, Galway and Killarney all hold major celebrations, while cities and towns throughout Ireland organise local parades and cultural programmes. Confirm each 2027 schedule before building travel around it.
Which airport or ferry port should I use?
Choose the gateway that matches the celebration and the wider route: Dublin for the national festival, Cork for the south, Shannon for Limerick and the west, or Kerry for Killarney. Ferry passengers can compare Dublin, Rosslare, Cork and Belfast against the live seasonal timetable.
Continue planning Ireland
Build the celebration into a wider visit.
Use the city guide for the national parade, add a realistic route around Ireland or plan ahead for another major international event.
National festival base
Dublin travel guide
Plan neighbourhoods, landmarks and practical city time around the parade and festival programme.
Explore Dublin → After the festivalSeven-day Ireland itinerary
Continue through Kilkenny, Kerry, Clare and Galway with a route designed for a first visit.
See the seven-day route → September 2027Ryder Cup 2027 at Adare Manor
Plan the centenary event week, airport choices, accommodation and a south-west extension.
Plan the Ryder Cup trip →