Where the Irish are on March 17th

AmericanAshley

Hello any Irish person!
My daughter's 18th birthday is March 17, 2017. We've decided to go to Ireland for the occasion. However, Dublin appears to be filled with Americans at that time and really crowded. Where's a great city to be on that day to see a parade, enjoy the sights/sounds, have fun and drink a pint surrounded by Irish people?
I'd be happy to give advice on where to go in Hawaii (lived there 3 years) or other American city where I've spent enough time.

coylemj

OP, ask that question of any Irish person who currently lives in Ireland and you'll probably get the same answer ......

New York City.

Bicycle

Limerick is only 20 minutes from Shannon Airport and has the biggest parade outside of Dublin.

There is also an International Marching Band parade on the Sunday nearest St Patrick's Day (you'd need to check this closer to the time you visit). The great thing about Limerick is that you can watch the parade in the morning and visit the Cliffs of Moher and The Burren in the afternoon.

Lingua Franca

Certains parts of Belfast (particularly west Belfast) go mad on St Patricks day and yet are relatively tourist free. There's a parade and afterwards celebrations in every bar there, if getting mad drunk and dancing is what you're after.

AmericanAshley

I know it's a ways away, I'm just excited.
New York...been there several times, it's gotten insane. I felt so claustrophobic there last month. Plus there was a general lack of Irish people. I was only in Manhatten though...
Limerick sounds cool.
West Belfast sounds like a blast too, but she'll only have turned 18. Since we're leaving the hubby at home, maybe it's better not to get too wild.
Thank you!

Jamie2k9

Bicycle wrote: »

Limerick is only 20 minutes from Shannon Airport and has the biggest parade outside of Dublin.

There is also an International Marching Band parade on the Sunday nearest St Patrick's Day (you'd need to check this closer to the time you visit). The great thing about Limerick is that you can watch the parade in the morning and visit the Cliffs of Moher and The Burren in the afternoon.

Cork has the second largest and Cork is great, many tourists who don't want to be in Dublin for the reasons you pointed out spend it in Cork.

In general outside of Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford have the biggest parades.

ProudDUB

Dublin may be very crowded on St Patricks Day, but in terms of it being over run by hordes of Americans, it really isn't. The tourists from the rest of Europe - Brits, Italians, Germans etc etc - would far, far out number the Yanks. So if avoiding your countrymen is a factor in where you choose to go, don't let that put you off.

Plus, we have the better parade. BY FAR !

AmericanAshley

I should clarify that I'm not just avoiding Americans. We just wanted a real Irish experience.

padocon

+1 for Cork, very nice city and you can always travel to Dublin for a bit too after the parade

anne burnell

check out boston.... really cool place.... great atmosphere for Paddys day ....