St Patrick’s Day 2022 has the added benefit of an extra bank holiday on Friday March 18th making a lovely, long 4-day weekend for everyone to enjoy! From family-friendly festivals to colourful parades, live music and fun hands-on workshops, there is plenty to amuse families of all ages this St Patrick’s Day in Ireland.

Here are some of the fun events to look forward to over the St Patrick’s Day 2022 weekend around Ireland.

Date: March 16th to 20th

Dublin’s St Patrick’s Festival is back with plenty of family fun and community spirit. This year you can enjoy a city fun fair and a festival quarter, along with the main parade on March 17th.

Discover some of the amazing family-friendly events taking place over this five day celebration of Irish arts, culture and heritage.

Date: March 17th to 20th from 11am to 3pm

Enjoy a themed trail around the Arboretum & Gardens at Fota House & Gardens, Cork! St Patrick’s Shamrocks ‘n’ Snakes Trail takes place at Fota House from March 17-20th. No pre-booking is required.

Date: March 14th to 17th from 9am to 6pm

Follow a trail of slithering snakes through the gardens, treehouse and playground at Birr Castle Demesne. Can you find the snakes that St Patrick left behind? Find them all and discover their secret message to claim your sweet treat.

The trail is included in the general admission price. No booking required but places are limited and based on a first-come basis.

Date: March 17th between 10am and 4pm

St Patrick is known for introducing Christianity to Ireland, but also for banishing all the snakes out of Ireland and into the sea. However, there are some snakes which are rumoured to have hidden away in Kilkenny and only emerge in the springtime…

We invite you to bring your family to join us for our Annual St Patrick’s Day Snake Hunt, and finish the job Paddy started!

This is a free event, although normal farm entry applies.

Dates: March 2022

If you are looking for a fun, free day out this St Patrick's Day, why not try one of our National Museums? There are a range of events taking place in the run up to St Patrick's Day at each of the NMI locations in Dublin and Mayo.

Most events at the NMI Museums are free of charge, but some do require you to book your place.

Date: March 17th at 2pm

Joe the Magician LIVE is a children’s comedy magic and illusion show. The show fuses Joe’s laugh out loud comedy magic with absolutely jaw dropping spectacular illusions, live on stage. It’s a rollercoaster theatrical ride that reinvents children’s entertainment. Suitable for all the family!

Joe’s current show ‘abraKIDabra’ on RTÉjr is already a firm favourite with kids of all ages and now Joe has a brand new show 'Dizzy Deliveries' hitting the screens in March. Joe plays a magic delivery man who uses ‘Lámh’ in this new educational comedy show.

For more information and to book tickets, click here.

Dates: March 17th to 20th

Organised by Cork City Council, the Cork St Patrick’s Day Festival will take place from March 17th to March 20th with the Cork St Patrick’s Day Parade taking place for the first time in two years on March 17th.

The theme of the Parade is Heroes: Ordinary People in Extraordinary Times, and will celebrate the individuals and organisations who have made a difference to their communities especially during the pandemic.

Date: March 17th to 20th

Limerick’s St Patrick’s Festival highlight will be the return of Ireland’s largest regional St Patrick’s Day Parade on March 17th, traditionally featuring up to 2,000 participants from all across community groups, bands and sports clubs, providing a colourful display of performances and costumes, complemented by professional artistic programmed content.

Date: March 19th

Join artist Kim Jenkinson at Hugh Lane Gallery for this St. Patrick's weekend children's workshop, using simple origami folding methods you will create your own colourful snake puppet.

Suitable for 7-10 year olds. Tickets priced €5 per child. For more information and to book tickets, click here.

Date: March 15th to 20th

During the St Patrick’s Festival, Kilkenny city and county come alive with pageantry, craic agus ceol! With the St Patrick's Day Parade, six days of music and entertainment, and events for all the family.

Centred around the St Patrick’s Day Parade but stretching into nearly a week-long event, visitors can enjoy the thrill of American Marching Bands, a parade of local colour, street entertainment, fire shows, carnival rides, creative workshops for all ages and the best in live Irish music, all in an intimate medieval city that’ll make you feel right at home.

Date: March 17th

Cobh St Patrick's Festival is back with a "bang" this year, with lots to look forward to, including the annual St Patrick's Day parade and a spectacular fireworks display at 7.30pm.

Date: March 19th at 12pm

Participate in celebrating St Patrick’s Festival with Chester Beatty Library and make a shamrock suncatcher. Inspired by stained-glass windows, you will create your very own ornaments in multiple shades of translucent green. Choose a Celtic pattern to fill your shamrock or go abstract!

This event is free, no booking is required but places are limited. For more information, click here.

Date: March 18th and 20th from 12-4pm

After more than two years closed to the public, the Stradbally Woodland Railway are back for their first public running days this St Patrick's Weekend.

Tickets are priced at €18 for a family of four, €7 for adults, €3 for children and under 5s go free. Tickets can be bought on the day.

For more information, check their Facebook page.