Feature photo by: The Dublin Convention & Visitors Bureau
If you’re looking for a way you can celebrate St. Paddy’s Day with the whole family – then Dublin, Ohio, is the place to go. Home to the greenest, grandest St. Patrick’s Day celebration in the Midwest, it’s only a quick two-hour drive away from Greater Cincinnati. Although Dublin offers a fantastic Irish experience year-round, this hoppin’ Irish city knows how to roll out the green carpet for its favorite holiday.
The weekend is loaded with St. Paddy’s Day festivities for everyone. Start your day with a feast of green, shamrock-shaped pancakes at Sells Middle School (150 W Bridge St. Dublin) to get the energy you need for the day. Grab the kids and stop in anytime March 16 between 7 – 11 a.m.
Want to get a sneak peek at the parade on Saturday, Historic Dublin’s main event? Head over to Graeter’s Ice Cream (6255 Frantz Road, Dublin) for the Inflation Celebration! The whole family can get a behind the scenes look of their favorite inflatables. Graeter’s opens at 9:30 a.m. Never too early for some ice cream, right?
Dublin’s annual city-wide St. Patrick’s Day Parade takes over Historic Dublin from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., on Saturday, and it’s big! Watch marching bands, bagpipers, drummers, a bugle corp, an equestrian team, stilt walkers, clowns, gigantic balloons, Irish dancers and even St. Patrick himself.
Another way to make the most of parade day is to grab a bite to join the Pub Party at Fado Pub & Kitchen in Bridge Park (6642 Riverside Drive)! Starting Saturday at 9 a.m., Fado will offer brunch and cocktails, opening up the party to an outdoor festival. The live music starts at 11:30 a.m. with some of Central Ohio’s favorite local acts, a few with an Irish flair. This pub party continues on through Sunday, March 17 (St. Patrick’s Day) and everyone can enjoy delicious Irish fare and live music. For more details and tickets, click here.
There is so much to experience in Dublin. The Irish town’s St. Paddy’s Day weekend is just a taste of what it has to offer year-round. For more about Dublin, it’s restaurants, the nation’s first-ever Irish Fairy Door Trail and more, go to visitdublinohio.com/things-to-do/irish-approved.