Skip to content

Top Navigation

Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure
  • Trip Inspiration
  • Plan Your Trip
  • Travel Guides
  • World's Best
  • Destination of the Year
  • A-List Travel Advisors
  • Cruises
  • Travel Tips
  • News
  • Food + Drink
  • Travel Accessories
  • Check-In

Profile Menu

Your Profile

Your Profile

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Travel + Leisure

Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure
  • Explore

    Explore

    • World's Best

      The greatest islands, cities, hotels, cruise lines, airports, and more — as voted by you. Read More Next
    • The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2021

      Whether you're traveling solo or planning a family vacation, here are the 50 best places to visit in 2021. Read More Next
    • Let's Go Together Podcast

      Start listening to T+L's brand new podcast, Let's Go Together! Hosted by Kellee Edwards. Read More Next
  • Trip Inspiration

    Trip Inspiration

    • Trip Ideas
    • Weekend Getaways
    • Spring Travel
    • Summer Travel
    • Fall Travel
    • Winter Travel
    • Solo Travel
    • Romantic Getaways
    • Luxury Travel
    • Beach Vacations
    • Adventure Travel
    • Road Trips
    • Family Travel
    • National Parks
    • Holiday Travel
    • Travel Photography
    • Photo of the Day
    • Culture and Design
  • Plan Your Trip

    Plan Your Trip

    • Travel Deals
    • Attractions
    • Amusement Parks
    • Festivals and Events
    • Bus and Trains
    • Flight Deals
    • Budget Travel
    • Hotels and Resorts
    • Disney Vacations
    • Airlines and Airports
    • Ground Transportation
  • Travel Guides
  • World's Best

    World's Best

    • Top Hotels
    • Top Cities
    • Top Islands
    • Domestic Airlines
    • International Airlines
    • Tours
    • Safaris
    • All World's Best
  • Destination of the Year
  • A-List Travel Advisors
  • Cruises

    Cruises

    • Find A Cruise
    • Caribbean Cruises
    • River Cruises
    • European Cruises
    • All-Inclusive Cruises
    • Family Cruises
    • Alaskan Cruises
    • Disney Cruises
    • See All Cruise Vacations
  • Travel Tips

    Travel Tips

    • Travel Trends
    • Packing Tips
    • Points + Miles
    • Budgeting + Currency
    • Customs + Immigration
    • Responsible Travel
    • Travel Etiquette
    • Travel Warnings
    • Weather
    • Mobile Apps
    • See All Travel Tips
  • News

    News

    • Wellness
    • Celebrity Travel
    • Animals
    • Jobs
    • Offbeat
    • See All News
  • Food + Drink

    Food + Drink

    • Restaurants
    • Wine
    • Beer
    • Cocktails + Spirits
    • Bars + Clubs
    • Celebrity Chefs
    • Cooking + Entertaining
    • Food Fairs + Festivals
    • World's Best Restaurants
    • See All Food + Drink
  • Travel Accessories

    Travel Accessories

    • Travel Bags
    • Shoes
    • Travel Tech
    • Shopping
    • Style
    • Gift Guides
    • See All Travel Accessories
  • Check-In

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Profile

Your Profile

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home
  2. Trip Ideas
  3. Family Vacations
  4. In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day

In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day

By Michelle Gross
March 22, 2016
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin
Credit: Michelle Gross
In the days and weeks leading up to St. Patrick’s Day through this year’s Easter Rising Centenary in Dublin, there’s a buzz in the air that’s penetrable in every coffee shop, boutique and bar around the entire city.

Unofficially, the St. Patrick’s Day Festival marks the beginning of tourist season in Ireland. Officially, however, it's a four-day celebration with deep religious roots that commemorates what it means to be Irish.

While the revelry has gone from sacred to secular over the years, especially in America, the festivities still differ across the pond, where nary a green beer, unruly leprechaun, or pinching is in sight (ask a local Dubliner about the last one, and they'll have no idea what you’re talking about).

In contrast, Dublin's celebration centers around the annual parade, and this year's procession saw a crowd of more than half a million people from all over the world. Inspired by the creativity of the youth of Ireland, this year’s theme, “Imagine If,” brought to life a display of brightly colored floats, costumes, and entertainment centered around the future prosperity of Ireland’s culture. 

Preceeding 19-year-old disability rights campaigner Joanne O’Riordan who served as this year's Grand Marshal, were ten marching bands from the U.S., the U.K., and Ireland, who played to cheering crowds as they marched past historic landmarks throughout the city. And while there was plenty of entertainment to go around, it was the younger generation, brandishing the flags, colors, and spirit of the country from the sidelines, who were the real stars and sights of this year’s show. 

And what does it mean to be Irish you ask? In Dublin at least, it means toasting to a bright and prosperous future. Slainte! 

Michelle Gross is a freelance producer at Travel + Leisure. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @mtothegnyc
Start Slideshow

1 of 23

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day

Credit: Michelle Gross

Thousands of people line the two-mile parade route across the River Liffey to St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

1 of 23

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 23

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day

Credit: Michelle Gross

The parade’s Grand Marshal, 19-year-old disability rights campaigner Joanne O’Riordan, greets thousands of cheering fans along the parade route.

2 of 23

3 of 23

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day

Credit: Michelle Gross

More than half a million people from around the world turn out to enjoy the St. Patrick’s Festival Parade.

3 of 23

Advertisement

4 of 23

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day

Credit: Michelle Gross

Young musicians take a few moments before the parade to practice Irish hymns on their bagpipes.

4 of 23

5 of 23

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day

Credit: Michelle Gross

This year's festival theme marks the final installment of a creative trilogy of past, present, and future. This pageant, inspired by the young people in Carndonagh Secondary School in Donegal, reflects on the pervasiveness of digital technology, portraying a world where all the technical tasks, which are currently carried out by phones and computers, are a part of our physical selves. They’re built into our brains, our eyes, our ears, our hands, our mouths.

5 of 23

6 of 23

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day

Credit: Michelle Gross

"March to Dublin" is the official celebratory tune of this year’s parade, and serves as “a declaration of the welcoming spirit” toward visitors to Ireland.

6 of 23

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 23

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day

Credit: Michelle Gross

Watching the parade in style.

7 of 23

8 of 23

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day

Credit: Michelle Gross

Sunny skies and record crowds marked this year's celebrations.

8 of 23

9 of 23

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day

Credit: Michelle Gross

Another float in line with this year's theme.

9 of 23

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 23

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day

Credit: Michelle Gross

Festival-goers in full flex as they prepare for the day.

10 of 23

11 of 23

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day

Credit: Michelle Gross

Thousands of performers from all over Ireland took to the parade stage on Thursday.

11 of 23

12 of 23

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day

Credit: Michelle Gross

A troupe performs an interpretive song and dance inspired by this year's theme.

12 of 23

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 23

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day

Credit: Michelle Gross

Celebrating the day.

13 of 23

14 of 23

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day

Credit: Michelle Gross

A man and his horse wait for the parade to begin.

14 of 23

15 of 23

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day

Credit: Michelle Gross

Young parade-goers watch as the floats go by.

15 of 23

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 23

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day

Credit: Michelle Gross

Bands from the U.S., the U.K., Brittany, and Ireland perform, with top honors going to Shorecrest High School Highlander Marching Band from Washington state—which won best overall band in this year's parade.

16 of 23

17 of 23

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day

Credit: Michelle Gross

The parade, which started just after noon on Thursday, saw a sea of green attendees eager to cheer on the live entertainment.

17 of 23

18 of 23

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day

Credit: Michelle Gross

Sharing their Irish pride.

18 of 23

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 23

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day

Credit: Michelle Gross

Awash in colorful costumes.

19 of 23

20 of 23

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day

Credit: Michelle Gross

Young children line the walls of this nearby apartment complex at the start of the parade route.

20 of 23

21 of 23

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day

Credit: Michelle Gross

A troupe of laughing hyenas.

21 of 23

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 23

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day

Credit: Michelle Gross

Young boys dressed in Ireland’s flag.

22 of 23

23 of 23

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day

Credit: Michelle Gross

Each troupe reflects how young people in Ireland visualize the future of Ireland over the next 100 years.

23 of 23

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Michelle Gross

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 23 In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day
2 of 23 In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day
3 of 23 In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day
4 of 23 In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day
5 of 23 In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day
6 of 23 In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day
7 of 23 In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day
8 of 23 In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day
9 of 23 In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day
10 of 23 In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day
11 of 23 In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day
12 of 23 In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day
13 of 23 In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day
14 of 23 In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day
15 of 23 In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day
16 of 23 In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day
17 of 23 In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day
18 of 23 In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day
19 of 23 In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day
20 of 23 In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day
21 of 23 In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day
22 of 23 In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day
23 of 23 In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day

Share options

Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message
Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
  • Sitemap
  • Travel Guide Sitemap

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletters
Other Travel + Leisure Sites
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en Español this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
Travel + Leisure is part of the Travel + Leisure Group. Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. Travel + Leisure is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation Travel + Leisure Group All Rights Reserved, registered in the United States and other countries. Travel + Leisure may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.travelandleisure.com

View image

In Photos: Dublin on St. Patrick's Day
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.