Irish American girl compares St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin to New York City

Differences and similarities between the two city’s celebrations - from the overrated to messy drunks

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KERRY O'SHEA,

IrishCentral Staff Writer

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Celebrating St. Patrick's Day in Temple Bar, Dublin in 2010

Photo by Google Images

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Understandably, St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland spawns a few days of celebrations, unlike the isolated day of March 17th in the US. Showcases of Irish music, arts, dance, and culture all prepare not only the Irish capital, but cities across the island, for its most famous holiday.

One of the main overlapping features of St. Patrick’s Day here and there, and frankly, everywhere? The party atmosphere, of course. While American revelry on St. Patrick’s Day has recently come under fire for portraying the Irish as wild drunks, there is still no doubt that St. Patrick’s Day for many includes at least a modest visit to the pub.

Unfortunately, I have yet to be 21 years old in New York City for St. Patrick’s Day, so I’m not sure first hand how rowdy the Irish pubs that fill the city can get. Certainly they fill up, with people of both Irish and non-Irish descent, up for a bit (or a load) of craic.

St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin lasts until the early hours of the morning. Every time you think the day is about to die down, you magically find your second wind and head to the next pub for a switch in atmosphere. If pub hopping, pacing oneself is imperative - which includes eating and switching to water at times.

There’s no shortage of pubs and bars to wander in and out of in both Dublin and New York. Dublin, however, I found to be slightly more manageable with the convenience of the Temple Bar area, whose pedestrian streets and plentiful bars and clubs become a prime party area for the rest of the day.

One of the other overlapping features, not only between Dublin and New York City, but with cities all around the world that celebrate the holiday, is that culturally, St. Patrick’s Day has become a type of all inclusive holiday. It’s not only the Irish who partake in celebrations, but people of nearly every walk of life will find enjoyment on March 17th - a sure nod to the welcoming nature of the Irish character.

So, the main differences between Dublin and New York City on St. Patrick’s Day? Dublin appears to be taking the reins on the holiday and bringing it into the modern era, while New York City clings to the more traditional aspects of the Irish holiday. Dublin sees it as an opportunity to celebrate Irish progress into modernity, and New York City sees it as a day to honor its Irish roots and history.

Guinness recently coined St. Patrick’s Day as ‘The Friendliest Day of the Year,’ so surely whatever city you find yourself in on this St. Patrick’s Day, you’ll be sure to have a good time with good company.

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