Irish people like to drink…right the obvious has been said now can we move on? It will come as no surprise to most people that the Irish are a rowdy bunch when 17th March falls through the calendar door. It’s a day when Ireland and Irish heritage is showcased to the world so of course we throw them a bottle bone and overplay the stereotype. Say what you will about the Irish people but one thing is for sure: we can throw one hell of a party…ergo St.Patrick’s Day in Ireland is where you want to be if you enjoy said party.
Drunken hopefuls will be flooding into the country right through the day today aspiring to be like every other person with a pint of the black stuff in hand. There’s one problem though, where should you be on such a gloriously green day? How do you make the best of the day? Throw back a few cans, get into town and hope that you wake the next day with little regret? That’s what the majority of us do, but let’s strip it down. Here’s our foreigner’s guide for getting through St.Patrick’s Day:
1) Get a big breakfast into you before leaving
We’ll all wake with excitement tomorrow morning but one thing is for sure we’ll let all that excitement overshadow everything else running through our minds…like eating. Try and contain the overflowing adrenaline flowing through you. A good hearty breakfast like a full Irish will sort you out before you start knocking back shots of baby guinness (tia maria & baileys). If you don’t have the time or can’t stomach such a big breakfast then at the least you should be eating some bread but consider the amount of alcohol you’ll be drinking throughout the day.
2) Know how you will be getting around
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There are a couple of options for you getting into the city and elsewhere tomorrow. The best option is to get the bus. On their website Dublin Bus provide route advice and diversions. With bus stops everywhere it is by far the cheapest and most convenient way to get around. The city has a tram system called Luas but there is a lot of confusion as to whether or not they will strike tomorrow so leave it on the maybe list? Taxi’s are expensive and they will face the same traffic as a bus and have to operate under the same diversions so let that idea slide. There is the possibility of walking of course. If you want to soak up all of our culture then you should walk into the city. You will be surrounded by hundreds of people dressed in green doing the very same thing, it’s a lot of fun.
3) Check out the parade
Sources from the Irish Times have said “Half a million people, including more than 100,000 overseas visitors, are expected to attend this year’s St Patrick’s Day parade in Dublin”. Dublin city is far from big. The parade will start at top of O’Connell Street and run all the way down to Dame Street. With so many people wanting to watch the parade in such a small space don’t be surprised when you have to squeeze your way through the droves and droves of people. The parade kicks off at mid-day so if you want an up close and personal view of all the parade has to offer then get their early and mark your territory…just leave the decking chairs at home.
4) Don’t get caught up in Temple Bar
9 times out of 10 it’s the first place a hotel receptionist will tell you to go to enjoy a drink: Temple Bar. There is absolutely nothing wrong with tourists wanting to embrace all things Irish but please save yourself A LOT of money and stay out of Temple Bar. Perhaps the temptation might be too great as you walk by and see all the crazy antics that are taking place. The reality is you can walk into any pub within it’s invisible walls and be waiting over an hour to buy a pint…no, really. Along with this you will be paying astronomical prices for said pint, it’s not worth it. If you enjoy purchasing expensive drinks then return the day after when things have quieted down. The atmosphere will still be significant but you won’t be left waiting a long time to wrap your lips around a nice cold pint.
5) Expect a different scene come nightfall
Right so you’ve made it through the day, you’ve thought about going home because you’ve enjoyed your fair share of antics but your friends have other plans. The party has just started surely? The St.Patrick’s Day you experienced during the day was the televised version, the PG version if you like. The sun has gone down and night time is upon us. At this point you should keep in mind that 95% around you have been drinking since the afternoon, good or bad…you decide. It’s time to go full mammy on you and tell you that you should be careful. Go buy some food and sober yourself up before you even attempt to get passed the security of your chosen pub/club/bar. They are going to be tight tomorrow night and rightly so.
Right well there you have it, a quick guide to getting through St.Patrick’s Day. It’s a day of celebration and that’s exactly what you and all those around you should be doing. Gardaí (police) will be scattered everywhere so if you have an queries direct them their way and they will be more than willing to help. Stay in a group and watch out for one another because it’s a perfect day for pick-pockets to strike. The most important advice overall though is to enjoy yourself, you’re in Dublin on St.Patrick’s Day, fly home with great memories and hopefully your dignity still intact.
by Jonathan Corr
