A key element of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations is shamrocks – reportedly used by the saint to explain the Holy Trinity – and of course, the colour green. The colour bears relevance to the eponymous Gaelic legend of ‘Goídel the Green’ and has become a symbol of Irish nationalism. In recent years, efforts have been made to link the holiday with the resurgence of the Irish language, with Seachtain na Gaeilge now preceding the celebrations.

Also known as the ‘Feast of St. Patrick’, food and drink are integral to national festivities. Lenten restrictions are lifted for the day so drinks such as stout and whiskey are drunk in excess alongside traditional Irish dishes, as sampled by our editors.

The perfect accessory to a steaming bowl of stew, soda bread is an Irish staple that has withstood the test of time. Made with baking soda instead of yeast, the crusty loaves were developed when there was a shortage of products during the famine. 

The quintessential Irish stew is typically made with carrots, potatoes and lamb or beef, being left to simmer for hours in stock (and often Guinness). Another similar dish is coddle, a soupy mixture made to use up leftovers. The difference between the two lies in the consistency: stew is a thick, brown substance, whereas coddle has a clear broth.

This simple recipe of mashed potatoes and cabbage often accompanies plates of corned beef and remains a popular meal in Ireland, alongside other potato-based dishes such as boxty. Colcannon is so popular, in fact, that it inspired the traditional Irish song of the same name: “Did you ever eat Colcannon, made from lovely pickled cream? With the greens and scallions mingled like a picture in a dream.” 

Whether cooked in a chowder, fishcake, or served up fresh on ice, seafood and shellfish dominate Irish cuisine. The Gaelic legend heralds salmon as the “king of the seas” and the Christian tradition of eating fish on Fridays remains to this day. Harbour villages rely on the trade of products such as whelks, scallops, haddock, and whiting, while Galway has gained international acclaim for its annual oyster festival, which takes place in September.

Accompanying an Irish coffee or whiskey, sweet treats are commonplace during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Expect delicious baked goods such as whoopie pies, barmbrack, apple crumbles and Guinness cakes – some of which are layered with green icing to remain on theme.

Pair your celebrations with a stay in one of our highly rated Ireland properties, such as Sheen Falls Lodge. The five-star property is nestled on the riverside of a 300-acre estate in Kenmare. Over in Dublin, The Merrion offers a cosmopolitan city stay with Michelin-starred dining.

Of course, you can book these hotels on ASMALLWORLD Collection, where you can enjoy VIP benefits such as room upgrades, hotel credit and more at no extra cost.