I have a few questions about a trip we are planning to Ireland. We plan to be there for six nights via a Aer Lingus fly drive package that includes b and bs over the St Patricks week. Is there any must see celebrations for St Paddy's day. Also what will the weather be like in middle of March. Plan to fly into either Dublin and drive a triangle and fly out of Shannon. Visit Dublin, Waterford, and any place you guys can recomend....

St Patrick's Day in Dublin has become almost a week long event. This year it starts on Thursday and ends on Tuesday (17th). It was a much smaller thing not that long ago.

I'm not a big fan of Waterford so unless a pilgimage to the factory there is require, choose Kilkenny instead. It's a much more interesting city.

I would book rooms in advance and in fact, if you haven't booked in Dublin by now, you may have a very difficult time getting a room.

Bill

The official website gives some good information and maps for all the events in Dublin, and also in Cashel.
www.stpatricksday.ie/

THE must-see will probably be the parade in Dublin on March 17.

Weather will be most certainly partly sunny or partly cloudy, with a chance of rain or drizzle, except for dry spells.

Have fun!

Two years ago the weather was very cold, so beware, anything can happen.

Bill

Sorry - Ireland never gets very cold (as in zero temps and lots of snow). Winter can be very chiily, and sometimes nasty and bone-chilling.

In March you may get that - or you may get spring weather, still damp but less chilly. Bring clothes you can layer, 2 pairs of sturdy waterproofed walking shoes and a sturdy folding umbrella.

Very cold has different meanings. Thus the phrase, the coldest winter I ever felt was a summer in San Francisco.

I live in Colorado, frequently experience -0 temps and lots of snow. Ireland can feel VERY cold. Just stand on a liff in a 70 MPH wind and 35F temps. That's cold.

Bill

Yes - but in March those conditions would be incredibly rare. They would be incredibly rare at any time of year.

We just returned from 5 nights in the Dublin area.

Friday we had temps in the high 50's F.

Saturday we had 70 mph winds, almost hurricane force, and driving rain. We were in Kilkenny, but the whole area was effected. It was most unusual. It felt cold.

Sunday we had alot of sun, then rain. The clouds move in and out rapidly. Umbrellas are usless because of wind. We were on a bus tour which drove through the Wicklow "mountains" in the afternoon and it actually snowed there. Our bus eirean driver said he'd never seen it snow there before.

Monday we had a beautiful sunny day all day, but a bit chilly. Just layer your clothes.

Tuesday was another bright sunny day until the afternoon when again it rained quite a bit. It was much colder, close to 32F.

I wouldn't worry about the weather at all. Just dress for changing conditions. We even saw some flowers starting to bloom in Dublin, and a few of the trees with pink blossoms on them.

Have a great time!

I was in Ireland in March 2000. Temps were about 50, some drizzle. The day it was sunny, it was also colder and quite windy.

<<< St Paddy's day >>>

Groan.

Up until recently St Patrick's Day in Ireland was principally a religious affair - admittedly with a lot of drinking.

It's only recently that they've imported the American invented "St Paddy Day".

Thanks for the tips, decided to avoid Waterford because of the closures and will stay at Kilkenny instead.

Dublin two nights Book of Kells, Merrion Square for St Pattys events,
Guiness and the Gaol

Kilkenny one night, Kilkenny Castle, Rock of Cashel

Dingle One Night, St Pattys parade and Dingle Peninsula

Shannon two nights, Cliffs of Moher and what ever else.

Not sure if I planned Kilkenny stay very well, thought would stay there and drive to Rock and Cashel and back.

Thanks for the weather tips, should I take a coat? Visited Scotland last November and weather proofed our walking shoes.

St Pattys ?????

The only proper place to celebrate would be McDonald's.

We went in March last year and I took my leather coat with a zip-out lining. I also had a lighter fleece jacket for driving. I agree with the advice to wear layers, you can always remove or add as needed.

We were in Dublin for the St. Patrick's Day parade and were surprised to see that most of the marching bands were American. Temple Bar was very crowded but we did manage to toast St. Patrick with some Guinness.

One of my favorite sites was Newgrange - just amazing! We also went to the Cliffs of Moher and nearly blew away with the high winds.

Enjoy, I can't wait to return.

Thanks for the reply, will throw in a fleece jacket too, good point.

Will look online at Newgrange, cant wait to go

For the post above on "St Patty's and McDonalds, you are right, should not abbreviate St. Patricks in that manner..Point taken