St. Patrick’s Festival 2009 - 7 Things You Need to Know

• Posted by: Editor
• On: 13/01/2025 15:07:41
• In: Dublin Travel Tips

1. Saint Patrick’s Festival 2009 will run from Thursday 13th March to Tuesday 17th March 2009 inclusive, with the parade itself taking place on Tuesday 17th March 2009. 

2. Over the five days of festivities there'll be in excess of 4,000 performers and over 1 million people celebrating Ireland’s biggest festival. And what better place to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day Festival than in Dublin’s fair city!

3. The 2009 festival promises so much, from activities including street theatre, colourful fireworks, music and dance, side-splitting comedy, film, exciting treasure hunts, vibrant visual art exhibitions, family fun and, of course not forgetting, the St Patrick's Day Parade! This year’s festival theme is ‘Sky's the limit’ and it's promising to be one to remember! Come and experience the exciting and colourful carnival atmosphere in Dublin with 2-3 hours of spectacular entertainment. The parade kicks off at 12 noon starting in Parnell Square North and continues through O’Connell Street.

4. Each year the organisers promise a festival bigger and better than the previous year. Last year more than 1.5 million people celebrated Saint Patrick’s Festival in Dublin, 40,000 of who were visitors. The main event saw 670,000 people line the parade route to celebrate Ireland's national holiday. 

5. Each year there's a Grand Marshal appointed to lead the parade - last year Eamon Coughlan led the parade in great style!  The former Irish Olympian and world record holder was joined along the route by his 85 year-old mother Kathleen. This year's Grand Marshal has yet to be confirmed and will only be disclosed about 3 weeks prior to the festival. The Irish President, Mary McAleese also attends the parade each year.

6. As Saint Patrick’s Day is a National Bank Holiday many businesses will close on the 17th of March. Don't worry though, all shops and businesses will be open as normal on the 18th again!  

For more information on the 2009 festival check out the official Saint Patrick’s Festival website.

7. If you need somewhere to stay for the St. Patrick's Festival in Dublin our advice is to book well in advance. Take a look at our Dublin accommodation page – all our properties are approved and you'll receive instant confirmation.

Have you been in Dublin for the St. Patrick's Day celebrations before? If you have we'd love to hear from you. Or indeed, if you have anything you'd like to ask us just drop us a line in the comment box below.