Ireland 2016
In what is an important year for Ireland, the principles of the proclamation and the significance of this period of history to shaping the future of Ireland and her people have inspired a number of events on the 2016 Festival programme. St. Patrick's Festival is proud to be official programme partner of Ireland 2016
Tuesday March 15, 2016 is Proclamation Day. This is the day when every school in the country is invited to share the results of their Proclamation for a New Generation.
Ireland 2016 is an ambitious and wide-ranging national commemorative initiative embracing seven distinct programme strands each with an extensive programme of events.
See www.ireland.ie for details

1 – Festival Parade
Thurs 17th March
Free Event
Where: Starting at Parnell Square, Dublin 1
Time: 12pm
Imagine If ... the theme for the Festival Parade, is inspired by the imagination of the youth of Ireland as they look to the future .....the next 100 years. A series of workshops took place with young people around Ireland to discuss their views on future Ireland. Ireland’s leading pageant companies have responded artistically and will bring these thoughts and ideas to life with spectacular pageantry and performance during the Festival parade.
Amidst the colourful pageantry, bands from Ireland will be joined by music ensembles from the USA, UK and Brittany, to deliver uplifting rhythms.
The spectacular parade, bursting with colour and theatrics, will wind its way through the heart of Dublin city.

2– Gaelspraoi
Thurs 17th – Sun 20th March
Free Event
Maoinithe ag Foras na Gaeilge
Where: Dublin City Centre Locations
Clár ar fáil ag / Full Programme available at www.stpatricksfestival.ie

Bain sult as an fhéile le Gaelspraoi! Cirque du Gael, ceol na bPogues, siamsaíocht sráide agus scoth na n’imeachtaí do chách. Maoinithe ag Foras na Gaeilge. Bígí linn!
Clár iomlán ar www.stpatricksfestival.ie

Gaelspraoi brings you the best of Irish-language entertainment for all ages, including pop-up performances, family circus and concerts.
Full programme and booking details on www.stpatricksfestival.ie

3– Festival Céilí
Fri 18th March
Free Event
In Association with Foras na Gaeilge & Today FM
Where: see www.stpatricksfestival.ie
Time: 4.30pm-7.30pm

Get your dancing shoes on and join in the monster street céilí on festival Friday. Expert callers & energetic dancers will lead you through dances such as The Siege of Ennis and Shoe the Donkey. Join the Matt Cunningham Céilí Band & more of Ireland’s leading musicians and dancers in getting the street hopping.
Crochaigí bhur gcosa in áirde in éindí le scoth na gceoltóirí agus rinceoirí as an cheithre chúige.  Faoi threoir Jerry Reilly & rinceoirí Brooks Academy, agus le tionlacan ón Matt Cunningham Band, beimid ag rince go h’oíche!



4– I Love My City
Thurs 17th - Sun 20th March
FREE ticketed & PAID ticketed events
Where: Various Locations
See www.stpatricksfestival.ie for details.

I Love My City is a series of engaging, evocative and intimate cultural events and happenings curated by the festival and staged in some of Dublin’s most beautiful, historic and prestigious cultural venues and spaces.
Headline events, featuring established and emerging artists, from a variety of disciplines including literature, music, film, spoken word, visual art, gastronomy and more, will be presented throughout the Festival.
Partner events, the Dublin Bay Prawn Festival, in the beautiful fishing village of Howth and the Irish Craft Beer & Whiskey Village in the RDS, focus on quality Irish food and brewing heritage.
In addition, citywide venues and spaces will host events presented by exciting collectives, artists and performers, immersing audiences in the vibrant cultural fabric of the city.

5 – Street Theatre
Thurs 17th - Sat 19th March
Free Event
Where: Various Locations
See www.stpatricksfestival.ie for details.

Audiences will be wowed by an array of performances on the streets of Dublin.
Check out The Dinner Table, a playful show where all the guests learn a little something, with audience participation, lots of foody mess and a little dancing thrown in for fun! 
Take your seat  at Coláiste Tayto, enjoy picking up words & phrases at these fun Irish language sessions where the lively tutors are bound to make you smile.
The Lords of Strut, surreal and silly, all wrapped up in a parcel of laughter. A circus of acrobatics like you’ve never seen before!
Don't miss the Four Handed Guitarist with his five-minute concerts in this lavish, tiny Victorian theatre nestled inside a horsebox! Catch the amazing, side-splitting and incredibly Spanish Bernie and his magic guitar.


6 – Festival Treasure Hunt
Saturday 19th March
Free Event
In association with Dublin's Q102
Where: City Hall, Dame Street, Dublin 2
Registration: 10am-1pm on the day or pre-register in advance on www.stpatricksfestival.ie
Unlock the city as you navigate the exciting trail, visit Dublin's beautiful, historical locations and solve clues in this urban, participatory event. Tap into your adventurous spirit, as you work in teams to solve a series of questions and discover Dublin city in this unique way!
Enjoy the atmosphere at HQ in City Hall with music, theatrics and prizes for best costumes (the theme is explorers!)
The Hunt takes about 1 hour 40 minutes to complete, with a special, shorter, mini hunt available for children!
To save time, sign up in advance online. Max 4 people per team.

7 – Donovan’s 50 Years of Music Tour
Saturday 19th March
Where: National Concert Hall
Tickets: €20 –€35 AVAILABLE FROM WWW.NCH.IE OR 01 417 0000
Time: 8pm
St. Patrick’s Festival are proud to stage Donovan, 60’s legend, icon, poet and one of our most enduring singer-songwriters, with his ‘50 Years of Music Tour’.  At this celebratory event, Donovan, who has been hugely influenced by Irish and Scots folk songs throughout his career, will be performing a history of all his hits: ‘Sunshine Superman’, ‘Mellow Yellow’, ‘The Hurdy Gurdy Man’, ‘Jennifer Juniper’ to name a few, along with some of his legendary storytelling and cult songs, all in the spectacular setting of the National Concert Hall.




8 – Festival Big Day Out
Sun 20th March
Free Event
In association with FM 104
Where: Merrion Square, Dublin 2
Time: 12pm - 6pm

Merrion Square will be transformed into a day-long street carnival, bursting with energy, colour and whimsical antics. Be wowed by sensational theatrics, mind-boggling workshops, fantastical magic shows and rousing music.
Enjoy planting, digging, hands on workshops and experience the passion for growing at home in the Keelings Love to Grow Children’s Garden.
Enter The Book of Learning inside a Georgian House where UNESCO Dublin City of Literature opens up a world of magic, craft, writing and pet rats! Just around the corner, SFI Science Zone gives budding scientists a chance to experiment with the enchanting world of science & technology.
Look out for hilarious shows, paper aeroplane obstacle courses, 4 handed guitarists and pet Llamas!

9 – Music in the City
Fri 18th & Sat 19th March
Free Event
Where: VARIOUS LOCATIONS
See www.stpatricksfestival.ie for details.

Enjoy a variety of indoor and outdoor musical performances from an eclectic mix of performers and artists. Lively song, upbeat tones and rhythmic beats will fill the air and get you in tune with the Festival celebrations.
Dublin based Bionic Rats, a 6 piece Ska and Reggae influenced band, will lift your spirits and send out celebratory vibes with their upbeat sound.
The Mad Hatters’ infectious samba grooves blend perfectly with their unique carnival colour to light up the streets of Dublin.

From marching bands and music ensembles to choirs and samba drums, there is something for all musical tastes to enjoy.


10– FESTIVAL 5K Road Race
Sunday 20th March
Where: Starting on St Stephens Green, Dublin 2
Time: 12pm
Register online at www.stpatricksfestival.ie
For the more energetic festival goers, take part in the annual Festival 5K Road Race! The course takes you through the heart of beautiful Georgian Dublin and is suitable for families, fun runners and dedicated athletes. You can be assured of a lively atmosphere as street performers, face painters and musicians will be on hand to entertain, as spectators line the route to cheer you on.
For more information and route details visit Metro St. Brigid’s Athletics Club’s website; www.msbac.ie.

11- In the Footsteps of St. Patrick – Walking Tour
Wed 16th March - Sun 20th March
In association with Dublin Walking Tours
Tickets: €14 (€12 senior/students) Available from www.walkingtours.ie
Where: Meet on corner of Suffolk & Andrew Street
Time: 11am* & 2.30pm
*on 17th March, there is only one tour at 2.15pm after the parade
The annual St Patrick’s Walk is back again! See the places that most visitors to the city and many Dubliners miss! Discover the fascinating truth behind the legend of St. Patrick and the Dublin of his time. The tour finishes with a visit to St Patrick’s Cathedral.

12 –Dublin Bay Prawn Festival
Fri18th – Sun 20th March
Where: Howth Village, County Dublin
For full details visit www.dublinbayprawnfestival.ie
Price: Varied
The Dublin Bay Prawn Festival takes place in the beautiful fishing village of Howth, County Dublin from Friday 18th March to Sunday 20th March. Celebrating the famous Dublin Bay Prawn Howth’s finest restaurants, bars and cafés will host a variety of amazing food experiences at the Festival Food Village serving the freshest, most delicious seafood including a selection of special Dublin Bay Prawn dishes. The Festival is also famous for music & entertainment, walks, talks and seaside antics.
This event is produced by Visit Howth Peninsula and the Fingal Tourism Development Office FCC.
13 – Irish Craft Beer & Whiskey Village
Wed 16th – Sat 19th March
Tickets: €10
Where: Hall 1, Main Hall, RDS, Dublin 4 (main RDS entrance)
See www.irishbeerandwhiskeyfestival.com for details

Running for its fifth year – the Irish Craft Beer and Whiskey Village is a true celebration of beer, cider, whiskey, artisan food and entertainment! This festival is indoors so you don’t need to worry about the weather as you browse the stalls, enjoy a masterclass or two and soak up the festive atmosphere and live music.
Event produced by Irish Craft Beer and Whiskey Village.

14– City at Play: Funfairs
Thurs 17th - Sun 20th March*
Where: Merrion Square & Custom House Quay
See www.stpatricksfestival.ie for details.
Price: Varied
From carousels to waltzers, family attractions to ferris wheels, there is something for everyone at the funfairs.  Dare to be suspended upside down, turned over or whisked through the air.
A firm festival favourite,that will light up the city with colourful carnival fairgrounds. Whether you are young or young at heart come along!

*Times & dates subject to change.
15 Film - IFI presents Michael Collins
Sat 19th March
Tickets from IFI box office: €7.60 (€5.90 conc.) IFI Members €7 (€5.50 conc.) Booking through IFI www.ifi.ie 01 679 3477
Where: Irish Film Institute, 6 Eustace Street, Dublin 2
Time: 1.30pm
IFI presents a 20th anniversary screening of Neil Jordan’s historical epic, Michael Collins in which Liam Neeson’s intelligently calibrated performance captures Collins’ seductive charisma and complexity, and Jordan’s direction brings startling ferocity to the guerrilla warfare. With the late Alan Rickman (Eamon De Valera), Julia Roberts (Kitty Kiernan) and Aidan Quinn (Harry Boland).
www.ifi.ie
16 – Comedy_The Laughter Lounge Presents: Best of Irish
Thurs 17th – Sat 19th March
Price: €25
Where: 4 – 8 Eden Quay, Dublin 1 (Just off O’Connell Street)
Time: Doors 7pm*
The hunt for the funniest comedian in Ireland is back on! Once again The Laughter Lounge brings together 6 of the greatest high-octane comedians for this no holds barred contest! If you’re in need of a dose of laughter, prepare for some side splitting comedy courtesy of The Laughter Lounge! Their roster of hilarious and award-winning acts are geared to ensure a night full of entertainment and fun.
* Doors open 7pm, free cocktail before 7.30pm, show starts at 8.30pm till 11pm. Late night bar and music thereafter.

www.laughterlounge.com

17 – Greening the city
Thurs 17th – Sun 20th March
Where: Various Locations
See www.stpatricksfestival.ie for more info

After the sun goes down, take a stroll through Dublin's fair city to see buildings, venues and spaces beautifully lit up in green, in celebration of the Festival. See the city's most iconic buildings as never before. They look even more impressive with a festive green glow!