The Final Draft > Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Kilkenny
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Kilkenny
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Kilkenny
There’s always a lot going on in Kilkenny, but if there’s one weekend this year that’s going to be more full of the “craic agus ceoil” than any other, it has to be this coming St Patrick's Day weekend. Whether you’re visiting Ireland for a short time or you’re from here and just want to make the most of the glorious spring bank holiday, Kilkenny is the perfect place to experience the very best that Ireland has to offer.
Of course, we feel like this about Kilkenny every weekend of the year. From the marvellous Medieval Mile to the city’s fabulous dining, and the theatre and nightlife to our own Smithwick's Experience, Kilkenny is jam-packed with great things to do and see.
But for Paddy’s weekend? Things get even better! Here’s a rundown of some of the unmissable events happening throughout the city over the next few days:
Extra Special at the Experience
First things first - we’ve been working hard to put together a really special Patrick’s week here at the Smithwick’s Experience. We’re in the heart of the city and always like to be at the heart of its best celebrations.
Our immersive brewery tour experience is running as usual, but with a few festival-friendly tweaks - like free admission, IF your name is Patrick or Patrick-adjacent. That means Patricias, Paddys, Patsys, international Patrices and Patryks, and even those with surnames like Fitzpatrick will get in for a free tour (and beer tasting, if you’re over 18). Our way to honour St Patrick, for the weekend that’s in it. For more information on how this will work, visit our site.
We’re also adding a little extra to the experience, with some free live music sessions taking place at the one and only Barrel Yard. We’ll be transforming the yard into a bright and bustling live music hub, with a 3-piece trad session kicking things off from 5:30 p.m. on Friday the 14th. It’s totally free and you’ll enjoy traditional Irish bangers from Mick Purcell on the bodhrán, Moya Fitzgerald on fiddle and Dave Harper on bouzouki. Bring your jig shoes!
Burnchurch are coming to play a hometown stage here on St Patrick’s Day starting at 5 p.m., and after rocking the socks off crowds in Marlay Park and Electric Picnic we’re sure this will be a gig not to miss.
What’s On in Kilkenny
The Kilkenny St. Patrick’s Festival is a whole weekend of incredible events planned all over the city, with everything from family fun to céilís, ceoil and craic in Kilkenny’s best bars and pubs.
The big event, of course, is the St Patrick’s Day Parade. While cities and celebraters all over the world will be dying rivers green and donning leprechaun hats, Kilkenny has its own special atmosphere. With an emphasis on the creative, colourful, weird and wonderful talents of the local community, the parade is like no other. This year’s Grand Marshall is our very own Olympian and Rás na mBán winner, cyclist Mia Griffin and while we’ll welcome dance troupes and performers from all over Ireland and the world, Kilkenny’s people are at the heart of it all. The parade is guaranteed to be packed so find your spot early, especially if you’re bringing little ones.
Aside from that, kids can enjoy an unbeatable festival programme, with everything from archaeological digs at Canal Square to circuses and face painting. And don’t miss the extravagant, Irish-themed firework display on the evening of the 16th (adults will like this one too).
Finally, the Music Trail starts on Thursday 13th and has a solid line up of great local and international talent, playing incredible Irish trad right through to Monday. Bodhrans, bouzoukis, banjos, ballads and much more, you’ll find every type of traditional Irish instrument, and every style of Irish tune played. Best of all, it’s all totally free to enjoy (save for the price of your pint of Smithwick’s in the pub) for four full days of exceptional music. Check out the line up and venues for the whole week, and plan your pub crawl right here.
Another highlight of the week is sure to be the Lunar Banquet, in the stunning setting of St Canice’s Cathedral. A sumptuous three-course wine-paired menu created by Langton’s Hotel, enjoyed ‘under the moon’ and accompanied with some celestial music by ‘The Half Room with Pauline Scanlon’.
The festival is running four fabulous music workshops for adults and young people, including a bodhran masterclass run by Rónán Ó Snodaigh of Kila. To book a spot or check out the other workshops, head to the festival website.
All in all it’s shaping up to be a very special week in Kilkenny, with the events listed here just a small selection of the huge range of events and entertainment planned for you. Just make sure you drop in to us for our award-winning immersive brewery tour – and a bit of live music too – while you’re in town.