St Patrick's Day In Ireland

Be a part of the wonderful festivities this St. Patrick's Day and celebrate with a trip to the Emerald Isle. See Ireland truly come alive with an explosion of fun and entertainment that's sure to rival any carnival street party with lavish parades, street theatre and music galore. Our top spots to be on 17th March this year start with Dublin of course, but for an alternative destination why not try the rugged beauty of Galway or the friendly bustle of Cork?

Dublin

St Patrick's Day in Dublin has a phenomenal five days and five nights of celebrations to contend with, starting from 13th March until the actual day on 17th March. From the opening night celebrations to the parade on the last day, there is certainly a lot to keep revellers amused in between, including street theatre, fireworks, outdoor spectacles, visual arts, music, comedy, dance, funfairs and treasure hunts.

As always the jewel in the Festival crown is the St. Patrick's Festival Parade, which this year takes its inspiration from the theme Energy. A total of 16 marching bands will take part in this year's parade with a strong American contingent present once again. Other countries represented include Japan, Italy and of course Ireland. A fantastical array of pageants will delight the crowds in the capital, adding lashings of colour, energy and excitement to parade 2008.

On Monday 17th March dust off your dancing shoes for the Céilí Mór - a great opportunity to dance along to the sounds of the Kilfenora Céilí Band. Music has always been an integral part of the St. Patrick's Festival programme and 2008 is no different. Two of Ireland's most popular musical acts - Kila and Mary Black - are set to thrill festival audiences with exclusive performances on Monday 17th March. Two very different artists with unique styles, expect both Kila and Mary Black to bring St. Patrick’s Festival 2008 to a close in style.

A premiere festival event in 2008 is Pearl @ Docklands. Pearl is an amazing spectacle for all the family devised and performed by internationally-renowned street theatre company Plasticiens Volants ( France). This enchanting performance involving giant inflatable characters is based on a simple and beautiful story of The Pearl. In association with Dublin Docklands, this is the first time an inflatable performance of this magnitude or scale has been performed in Ireland and promises to be an experience not to be missed!

Another one of the highlights of this years Festival is sure to be National Lottery Skyfest @ Cashel. Skyfest, which will be held against the iconic back drop of the Rock of Cashel, will be the first festival event to be held outside of Dublin. Expect a truly spectacular event on the site of the Rock of Cashel - an extravaganza of fireworks, music and light to enthral and entertain.

GaelSpraoi is an exciting series of events available throughout the festival promoting the use of the Irish language in fun and novel settings. Participants will follow an informal itinerary of workshops, tours, gigs, and film suitable for all ages. All levels of language competency are welcome.

For film buffs St. Patricks Festival and Filmbase, in association with Cineworld Cinemas and Samson Films, will present a special free screening of the Oscar nominated Irish feature Once followed by a post-show talk with the filmmakers on Friday 14th March.

Aside from the festival, a trip to Dublin must include a visit to the Guinness Storehouse where you can see how Guinness is made as well as enjoy a pint of 'the black stuff' in the Gravity Bar, which has stunning panoramic views of Dublin. Jurys Inn Christchurch is offering a package that includes 1 night bed and breakfast for 2 adults, including two tickets to the Guinness Storehouse, at €200 per room.

For €290 per room per night based on double occupancy, Dylan boutique hotel is offering a package including a special St. Patrick's Day surprise cocktail on arrival, 1 night bed and breakfast accommodation in one of the hotel's uniquely designed luxury rooms, plus entrance to the Guinness Storehouse. The staff will also direct guests to the best traditional Irish pubs where they are guaranteed to stumble upon some traditional Irish music. This 5 star property is located in the leafy suburb of Ballsbridge, a 15 minute walk from Dublin's historic St Stephen's Green, Grafton Street and Trinity College.

Alternatively why not start the weekend with style and enjoy a bottle of champagne in Jurys Inn Custom House which is ideally located along the River Liffey and a short walk from O'Connell Street. Their package includes 2 nights bed and breakfast for 2 people and a bottle of champagne in your room on arrival for €355 per room.

Galway

Try your luck in the wild west of Galway - this seaside city will this year be hosting its 105th St Patrick's Day Parade and the carnival atmosphere always draws strong crowds. Performers from all over the world will boost the entertainment, and when the parade is over find a place to eat in the city that has more restaurants per capita than any other Irish city. Enjoy the lively culture and shops of this small but bustling hive and soak up the atmosphere of the 'real' Irish pubs.

While staying at Galway, if you are feeling adventurous you can take a scenic ride to the mystical Aran Islands, steeped in history and legend. Explore the Iron Age ruins of Dún Aengus, savour a Guinness in the traditional thatched pub on Inis Meáin, the only pub on the middle island or hire a bicycle to explore these magical islands, also the inspiration for Father Ted. Fly from Galway to the Aran Islands from €40 (about ₤26) for a day trip, in Aer Arann's nine seater island hopper plane.

Enjoy a break in Jurys Inn Galway, which is located beside the Spanish Arch, overlooking Galway Bay and the Aran Islands. Their package includes 1 night bed and breakfast for 2 and 2 tickets to Inis Mor, the largest of the three Aran Islands, at €74 per person per night.

Cork

Experience the wonderful charm of Ireland and the Irish in the beautiful city of Cork. The newly refurbished Cork City centre has attractive shopping boulevards, restaurants and pubs. With over 600 retail outlets located around Patrick Street you will be spoilt for choice. Cork is renowned for its cuisine - indulge in some of its famed delights at Barry's Tea Market held in conjunction with Mahon Point Farmers Market on Emmet Place.

Cork St. Patrick's Festival 2008 from 15th to 17th March will be fun for all the family, with a parade celebrating the many cultures of Cork. Find a good spot to watch marching bands, dancers, street theatre performers, community carnival groups and other professional and amateur entertainers bring sound and colour to the city's streets.

If you want to make a family celebration, the Jurys Inn which is located along the River Lee is offering a package including 1 night room only for 2 adults and 2 children under 10-years old, and tickets to FOTA Wildlife Park for €127 per family room. You can enjoy a great family day out at FOTA Wildlife Park which has over 90 species of animals, including cheetahs, giraffes and squirrel monkeys. It is set in a free range environment which allows the animals to wander freely and mix with other species.

Getting There

Flight prices one way including tax with Aer Arann from Southampton to Cork start from £33; Cardiff to Cork and Dublin from £25; Newcastle to Galway from £29; Edinburgh to Cork and Galway from £29; Bristol to Cork from £29; Leeds Bradford to Cork from £25; Luton to Galway from £25; Manchester to Galway from £25.00; Inverness to Dublin from £30 and Isle of Man to Dublin from £25.

www.AerArann.com

Booking Information

Jurys Inns: www.jurysinns.com

Jurys Inn Christchurch, Dublin: (+353 1) 454 0000

Dylan Hotel: www.dylan.ie

Jurys Inn Custom House, Dublin: (+353 1) 854 1500

Jurys Inn Galway: (+353 91) 566 444

Jurys Inn Cork: (+353 21) 494 3000

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