17 March is a fantastic day of celebration in Ireland, but things can turn very awkward if you do any of these things.
St Patrick’s Day is the biggest event of the year in Ireland, and in many parts of the world for that matter, but while the Irish are known to be a friendly bunch and can generally laugh at anything, there are still a few things we urge you NOT to do if celebrating in Ireland.
Yes, you can dress up in green and drink as much Guinness as you want, but as long as you DO NOT do the following things, you will have a great time.
So, with that in mind, let us guide you with the ten things NOT to do on St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland.
10. Ignore the laws – you’ve been warned
Never ignore the laws in Ireland, especially in Ireland on 17 March, when police are not in full force seeking out people drinking in public, being drunk and disorders, drunk driving, and never driving the morning after either.
9. Choose not to wear green – avoid getting pinched
This is a big no-no. As local folklore has it, if you don’t wear green on St. Patrick’s Day, you risk being pinched by anyone and everyone. So grab that leprechaun t-shirt or shamrock suit and join in with the Irish wearing green.
8. Miss out on the food – eat your heart out
Irish food is a must-try at any time of the year, but on St. Patrick’s Day, it would be a crying shame to miss out on a delicious meal like Irish Stew, Dublin Coddle or even a Steak and Guinness Pie. This is the day to try it all!
7. Attempt public transport – the busiest day of the year
One of the top things NOT to do on St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland is to attempt to take public transportation, whether the local bus, train or taxi. It is best to get as close as possible to where you need to go and walk. It’s not worth the hassle.
6. Avoid Guinness – don’t miss out
Even if you are not a massive fan of the black stuff, St. Patrick’s Day is the one day of the year when you should go out of your way to have a pint (or two). Irish people love Guinness, and drinking it with the locals on their special day is a must-do.
5. Be careless – stay vigilant in crowds
While Ireland is generally a very safe place, it is always best to be vigilant in large crowds, as theft can occur quickly and without notice.
While you are in awe of the St. Patrick’s Day parade, remember to keep your belongings close to prevent any loss. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!
4. Talking religion – leave it out
One of the main things we urge you NOT to do on St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland is to bring up any conversation involving religion. What started as a fun and exciting day will quickly become cumbersome, and in the worst case, it could lead to many arguments.
3. Talking politics – never bring it up
Just as the conversations about religion should be avoided, talking about the age-old subject of politics is another one of the things you should never do in Ireland, which is a tricky one.
Irish people are primarily happy-go-lucky, especially on their special day in March. So, don’t ruin it by getting all political or asking for opinions on the subject.
2. Potato jokes – just no!
Irish people love to joke around and laugh about most things. They generally don’t take themselves too seriously.
We are masters of that, after all! However, if we hear a potato joke, especially on St. Patrick’s Day, when we celebrate all things Irish, we will about lose it.
1. St. Patty’s Day – get it right
One of Irish people’s biggest pet hates is when they hear someone saying ‘St. Patty’s Day’.
Yes, they will probably smile and laugh awkwardly, not to cause embarrassment, but you should know that you have lost all of their respect as soon as you utter those three words. It’s St. Paddy’s Day!
Now that you know the main things we advise you NOT to do on St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland, it’s time to start preparing for the best one. Why not check out our article on Irish cocktails for the big day to get you started?
