Welcome to March! Spring has begun, and the St. Patrick’s Day Festival is back after two very long and challenging years. We couldn’t be more excited!
This month we are celebrating Irish culture and how Ireland is about #SoMuchMore than the stereotypes that exist around drinking alcohol. Below are just some alterative ways you can spend this St. Patrick’s Day. Let’s show the world that St. Patrick’s Day is so much more than just a session.
Enjoy the finest Irish food
Two slices of bread, some butter, and your favourite crisps. A simple yet timeless Irish delight. Make way for the celebratory crisp sandwiches by cutting down or cutting out alcohol. Your favourite drinks contain empty calories and sugar. Why not try our Drinks Calculator to see if you are drinking your calories?
Visit places of Irish Culture
From coast to coast, Ireland has so much to offer for cultural tourism. Why not visit the Book of Kells in Trinity College, and learn about Irish history? Or climb the Cliffs of Moher, and witness beautiful Irish scenery? If you’re looking for something more modern, why not search the streets of Dublin to see if you can find Love Lane?
The Main Event
Get your green clothes ready, because the St. Patrick’s Day Parade is finally back! Watch as a story unfolds through art, dance, and music marches through the streets of Ireland, and around the world.
The theme of this year’s celebration is connection, or naisc. There are so many ways that we can choose to connect with loved ones this year. It doesn’t have to be over a pint. If you are trying to drink less, or not drink at all this St. Patrick’s Day, we have easy and practical tips for you to follow. Our top tips are:
- Stay out of rounds. It can be easy to lose track of what you are drinking and if you are staying withing the HSE low-risk weekly guidelines when participating in rounds.
- Try drinking an alcohol-free alternative! If you are celebrating with friends and family, you can enjoy your favourite tastes without the alcohol.
- Alternate each alcoholic drink with a glass of water. This not only slows down your drinking, but keeps you hydrated.
- Downsize your drink. Opt for a half pint. Did you know that half a pint is one standard drink?
What does Ireland mean to you? How will you make this year’s festival mean so much more than ever before? Let us know online by using #SoMuchMore.
Lá Fhéile Pádraig!