A Weekend of Green: Experiencing St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland
Irish flags
It’s hard to believe we’ve already passed March 17th — the big day in Ireland. I’d been looking forward to St. Patrick’s Day since I arrived, and now it’s already behind us. No wonder everyone gets so excited for this day; when Ireland goes green, it feels like the entire country is in celebration mode.
People are dressed in green from head to toe, and the festive energy is everywhere. What’s interesting is that St. Patrick’s Day isn’t just celebrated in Ireland — other parts of the world join in the fun too, with just as much enthusiasm.
St. Patrick’s Story
St. Patrick’s Day isn’t just a cultural holiday, though — it’s a religious one too. The story of St. Patrick is fascinating. According to legend, Patrick was a boy from either Wales or Scotland who was captured and brought to Slemish Mountain in County Antrim as a slave. While there, he tended sheep before eventually escaping and returning home. After that, he had a vision calling him to return to Ireland and spread Christianity.
Patrick’s influence can still be seen across the island. From the Rock of Cashel in County Tipperary to Croagh Patrick in County Mayo, there are numerous places that tie into his story. His legacy is especially strong in Northern Ireland, with key sites like Saul Church (where he is said to have built his first church) and the cathedrals in Armagh dedicated to him.
Learning about all this added more meaning to the holiday and gave me a deeper appreciation for Irish culture.
Nancy Blake's
To fully embrace the St. Patrick’s Day spirit, my friends and I decided to dedicate the whole weekend to the festivities, especially since the holiday fell on a Monday this year. Our first stop was Dublin, where we took part in the St. Patrick’s Festival Treasure Hunt organized by Dublin City Council. It was a fun and unique way to explore the city. We hunted down spots like the Hungry Tree and the General Post Office, all while learning more about Dublin’s history and culture. And yes, we totally won the prize for the best team’s name — “Limerick Lads” for the win.
After our day in Dublin, we returned to our beloved base in Limerick to catch the International Band Championship on Sunday, March 16th. It was such a fun event, filled with energy and music. The next day, we were all set for the main parade. We woke up early to join in, and it was amazing to walk through the city center with thousands of people cheering us on. At first, we were a little nervous, but the crowd’s energy was so welcoming that any nerves quickly faded. We were lucky enough to walk right behind a local band, which made the whole experience even more exciting.
I’d highly recommend that future exchange students take part in the parade. It’s such a great way to get an authentic Irish experience, and it’s definitely something that we'll all remember for years to come.
-By Lili Hinner, Sweden
