St Patrick’s Day is celebrated internationally on 17th March. We have put together a traditional list of the best places around the world to paint the town green.
Dublin
It goes without saying that the best place to enjoy the St Patrick’s Day craic is on the Emerald Isle itself and in particular the country’s capital, Dublin. Hundreds of thousands of revellers will fill the streets and join in with the five day St Patrick’s Festival celebrations. Have a pint or two of the black stuff in Temple Bar and enjoy street theatre, comedy shows, live music and a spectacular parade. Don’t leave without a visit to the famous Guinness Brewery. Stay at The Clarence Hotel, owned by rock legend Bono and his U2 band mate The Edge
Read also: Top 10 things to see and do in Dublin
New York City
Undoubtedly, the next best place to join in the merriment is in New York City, which this year celebrates 250 years of the famous, and now the world’s largest, St Patrick’s Day Parade. Expect plenty of green beer and even green bagels from the Big Green Apple. Owned by the Fitzpatrick’s who came to New York over 30 years ago, the Fitzpatrick Grand Central Hotel is the place to stay for some authentic Irish hospitality, including a highly acclaimed traditional Irish Breakfast and the Wheeltapper Pub, which has been decorated with memorabilia from Ireland’s railroad system.
Chicago
In Chicago, the beer is as colourful as the river because every year the city begins its celebrations by dyeing the Chicago River a bright emerald green – a 60-year-old tradition of Plumbers Union Local 130 dyeing the Chicago River green for St. Patrick’s Day.
Try one of Chicago’s downtown Irish bars such as Celtic Crossings and Emerald Loop. Reminiscent of his time as an attorney in Chicago, President Obama will turn the White House’s fountain waters green. Stay at Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront, a modern urban boutique hotel overlooking the Chicago River.
Montreal
Canadians everywhere embrace the Irish spirit but the place to be is Montreal, which has held the longest-running St Patrick’s Day Parade in the country since 1824. The city that boasts a shamrock in the corner of its flag comes alive with vibrant music, floats and free-flowing green Guinness, an event not to be missed! Stay at Le Westin Montreal
Read also: Travel Guide: 48 hours in Montreal, Canada
Florence
Florence is another St Patrick’s Day hotspot thanks to a week-long celebration called ‘Irlanda in Festa’ which embraces all things ‘oirish’ including concerts, special events and typical Irish food and drink. Finnegan’s Irish Pub will be a hit on the 17th, so be sure to pop in for a stout or two. Stay at the centrally located Hotel Davanzati