St. Patrick's Festival: Celebrating the Irish Spark

Photo Credit: Julien Behal

At its core, St. Patrick's Festival is a global celebration of the very best of Irish arts, culture and heritage. Whether you're Irish by birth or at heart, everyone is welcomed with open arms to partake in the merriment and camaraderie of the national festival each March. It’s a campaign and celebration which THE HIVE loves working on each year.

‘Spréach’, the Irish word for Spark, was the theme of this year’s Festival and Parade, representing the unique essence of Ireland and of Irish people. It’s what sets us apart and what brings us together, and oftentimes it’s the reason that people from all over the world have a special place in their hearts for Irish people, place and culture.

Man of Friday night television, Patrick Kielty, led out the Parade on the 17th as Grand Marshal, which saw over 4,200 performers, 11 transitional showpiece performances and 14 marching bands take part. While the fun at Festival Quarter saw a jam-packed family friendly programme of events including craic, ceol, dancing, games, conversation, workshops, food, and all kinds of entertainment for absolutely everybody, including the Mother ‘Géilí Mór’, Ireland’s largest Queer céilí, before finishing up with a sensational set by Denise Chaila and friends that turned traditional Irish music upside down and inside out!

Beyond its cultural significance, St. Patrick's Festival plays a pivotal role in driving economic prosperity across the nation. This year, an estimated 100,000 tourists flocked to Dublin to experience the magic of the festival firsthand, bolstering local businesses, hotels, and restaurants. Recent economic impact research estimates that St. Patrick’s Festival returns roughly €113 million to the Irish economy. It also continues to be a key driver of employment and opportunity for the creative sector, providing over 11,000 days of employment in 2023. From artisans selling their crafts to street performers entertaining the masses, the festival serves as a catalyst for economic growth and vitality.