St Patrick’s Day 2023 falls on a Friday this year, making it the ideal opportunity to have a fun long weekend! 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 2023 weekend around Ireland.

Date: March 16th to 19th 2023

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 19th from 11am to 4pm

Enjoy a themed trail around the Arboretum & Gardens at Fota House & Gardens, Cork! Learn about the legend of St Patrick and stories of old from the vikings to the Hill of Tara!

St Patrick’s Legends Trail takes place at Fota House from March 17-19th. No pre-booking is required. Cost €5 per child.

Date: March 17th to 20th 2023 from 9am to 5pm

Follow a trail of slithering snakes through the gardens and parklands of 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.

Date: March 17th to 20th 2023 during opening hours

Enjoy a fun family Leprechaun Folklore Trail this St Patrick’s weekend at the Irish Agricultural Museum at Johnstown Castle. The trail will give you  a unique insight into the history of Irish country life and all participants will receive a treat on completion.

The trail is included in the general admission price. No booking required but they have advised that you wear something green to avoid being pinched by a Leprechaun!

Date: March 17th to 19th between 10am and 4pm daily

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 2023

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 16th to 19th 2023

Organised by Cork City Council, the Cork St Patrick’s Day Festival will take place from March 16th to March 19th with the Cork St Patrick’s Day Parade taking place on March 17th.

The theme of the Parade is A Century of Stories and showcases how we have grown as a nation over the last century.

Date: March 17th to 19th 2023

Limerick’s St Patrick’s Festival features a host of fun events with the annual 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 18th 2023

Join artist Liliane Puthod at Hugh Lane Gallery for this St. Patrick’s weekend children’s workshop. Explore the famous Irish Shamrock and be inspired by its shape, colour and meaning to create your very own lucky charm!

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

Date: March 15th to 19th 2023

During the St Patrick’s Festival, Kilkenny city and county come alive with pageantry, craic agus ceol! With the St Patrick’s Day Parade, five 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 a parade of local colour, street entertainment, fire shows, carnival rides, a food market, 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 from 2pm on March 17th.

Date: March 11th at 12pm

Participate in celebrating St Patrick’s Festival with Chester Beatty Library and make silk worm family finger puppets to celebrate St Patrick’s Day.

This event is free, booking is required as places are limited to 20. For more information, click here.

Date: March 17th and 19th

The Stradbally Woodland Railway are back with train rides this St Patrick’s Weekend.

Tickets can be bought on the day.

For more information, check their Facebook page.