First time in Dublin - Paddy's Day!

ElecKtrA

Hey guys,

I'm heading up to Dublin this weekend with a few friends....i can completely understand that this is probably one of the busiest weekends in the entire year..so everywhere will be jammers out!

I'm looking for some ideas/recommendations on which is the best place/location to view the parade on Monday? Someone suggested to me that a Bar with a Balcony on O'Connell St. would be the ideal area....

Parade starts at 12pm (i think) so how soon should i start making our way into the City centre? We will be coming from just off Harcourt St.

Looking forward to having the craic with ye Dubs this weekend :pac::D

Birneybau

Ain't no bars with balconies on O'Connell St.

John Mason

you will need to be there around 9.30 - 10 to get a good viewing spot, which you will lose by 12pm ffrom people pushing .

McDonalds on O'Connell Street have upstairs windows. tbh i would stay in and watch it on the telly

despot

Please don't judge us all on what you see on Paddys day.

zef

Yeah, i'd go for watching it on the telly too, no kids dribbling on your head from their daddies shoulders. Unless you have money or contacts, there is nowhere relaxing to observe it from. Comfort wins out every time for me OP. And watch your pockets.

ElecKtrA

Thanks guys for all the info!

Awe....i don't really want to me stuck in watching it on TV!!! i much prefer to go and experience the atmosphere of it all

Looks like i'll have to try and get up that little bit earlier on Monday just to get a good viewing spot!

Should be fun nevertheless

miamee

Check the route of the parade, it usually ends near St. Patrick's Cathedral and will take forever to get there (if ye want a bit of a lie on )

Lots of other things on too for the weekend, check some things out here: http://www.stpatricksfestival.ie/

dubbie82

The Parade starts from Parnell Square around 12 so it will take a while to reach St. Patricks Cathedral. Most people arrive around 10ish, a bit later towards the end of the route but the good viewing points will fill quickly.

Personally I like the spot near Kinlay House Hostel as the parade moves slightly uphill and you get some nice pics. Avoid O'Connell Bridge, if it's a breezy day you be freezing. I used to volunteer on the Parade and seen some scary scences on O'Connell Bridge.

But it's a good day out, lots of people putting a lot of time and effort into the floats, volunteers creating amazing displays and that deserves to be seen and enjoyed and if it's a sunny day it's much better than sitting in and watching it on the telly.

Also check out the festival progam, treasure hunt is not only for kids and the Big Ceili is on this evening.

irlirishkev

If you get down early enough, and I mean, before they open because there'll be a queue to get in - JW Sweetman's on O'Connell Bridge (ish) have upstairs windows looking out on to O'Connell Bridge. That would be ideal, but like I say, you'd need to be there bloody early.

ElecKtrA

Well lads...thanks for all the replies ...had an amazing time in Dublin and even got to view the parade at a good spot on Dame St. I've never seen so many Paddys in Templebar!!! I'll have to make this trip up again for next year :-)

MadYaker

Ah here things are only getting started!

Birneybau

GET OUT WHILST YOU CAN

*joke*