Events at the 2011 St. Patrick's Festival in Dublin, Ireland

Travel enthusiasts looking to take a trip in the next month may add Dublin, Ireland to their itinerary. Dublin hosts a five-day St. Patrick's Festival from March 16 to March 20, 2011. The stage is set for one of the biggest extravaganza of the world where thousands of Irish will partake in festivals, boat races, treasure hunts and parade.

History & Significance of St. Patrick's Festival, Dublin, Ireland

St. Patrick's Festival is an annual international event and the biggest celebration in Ireland. Started in 1996 by the government of Ireland, the festival is a proud destination for the Irish community to highlight their culture and heritage in a unique and creative way. Economically, the festival is a great source of income for the city of Dublin and an important venue for local vendors and businesses. The hysteria that the event generates is evident from the fact that in 1996, the event saw 430,000 audiences, while in 2001, more than 1.2million people enjoyed it. Since then, it has grown bigger and better with novel concepts, imaginative minds and exclusive themes.

While much of the festivities occur in Dublin, there is plenty of excitement to catch in the neighboring cities of Limerick, Belfast, Armagh, Kiltimargh and others.

Carnivals & Fireworks at 2011 St. Patrick's Festival, Dublin, Ireland

Dublin City is going completely green for the five-day 2011 St. Patrick's Festival. Local businesses and venues will illuminate with green lights to give a completely Irish-feel during the festival. The annual St. Patrick's Day parade will kick off on Thursday, March 17, 2011 starting at Parnell Square around noon. Prepare to be wowed by awesome performances by more than 4000 top-notch local theater troupes, artists, dancers and marching bands. After that, the beautiful riverside city of Limerick will host a gorgeous fireworks display across River Shannon.

Music Events at 2011 St. Patrick's Day Festival, Dublin, Ireland

One of the most exciting events lined up for the 2011 St. Patrick's Festival is a musical performance by Sharon Shannon, an accomplished Irish musician known for her work with accordion and fiddle. A prominent name in the entertainment business, Sharon has played for US President Bill Clinton and Irish Presidents Robinson and MacAleese and The Sultan of Brunei in Australia. Sharon Shannon will play at the Concert Hall on Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 8pm.

Cultural Events at 2011 St. Patrick's Day Festival, Dublin, Ireland

Guests can explore the cultural side of Ireland by participating in walking tours organized in Dublin during the 2011 St. Patrick's Festival. While some of the walking tours explore St. Patrick's relationship with the city, others explore the rich architecture and vibrant history of Ireland.

Art Events at 2011 St. Patrick's Day Festival, Dublin, Ireland

The festival is a visual treat for art aficionados who have access to art exhibitions like Dearc 150 that celebrates the150th Anniversary of the RDS Taylor Art Award. Bestowed on talented artists, it is probably one of the oldest awards of its type in the world. For the 2011 St. Patrick's Festival, the RDS Concert Hall in Merrion Road will showcase some of the prestigious work from yesteryears. Many of these works are private collections and will be open to the public only during the festival.

Source(s):
St. Patrick's Festival: Official Website