Celebrate St Patrick’s Day through our wide range of events and activities for all ages to enjoy across our four Museum sites in Dublin and Mayo.
Explore the history of Ireland’s saints and scholars; create your own St Patrick’s Day badge; discover the symbols associated with Ireland and learn about the iconic products used to promote and market Ireland on the global economic stage.
We are delighted once again to host the St Patrick's Festival at the National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts & History, Collins Barracks, Dubin 7.
Our museum sites in Dublin and Mayo are open as normal throughout St Patrick's weekend. All events are free and no booking is required.
St. Patrick's Festival: Not Just Shamrocks… Symbols of Ireland in the NMI’s collections
St Patrick's Weekend - 17th, 18th, 19th March. Suitable for All.
National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts & History, Collins Barracks, Dublin 7
Why not take a tour of the National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts & History during the St Patrick’s Festival with our Museum guides to explore the fascinating range of Irish symbols, through objects on display, from the unusual to the everyday. Booking not required, however spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis. FIND OUT MORE
Guided Tour: The Saints and Scholars of Ireland
Wednesday 15th March - Saturday 18th March. Suitable for All.
National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology, Kildare Street, Dublin 2
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day by joining us for a special guided tour about the artefacts and shrines connected to Irish saints and how Christianity influenced the development of writing. Take a look at other artefacts and relics connected to the many saints from Ireland in the Treasury exhibition, and learn about the incredible preservation of the Fadden More Psalter, and the impact of writing and scholarship in Early Medieval Ireland. No booking required, places allocated on a first come first served basis. Meet in the Reception, on the ground floor. Partially wheelchair accessible. FIND OUT MORE
Learn How to Make your own St Patrick's Badges
Online Activity. Suitable for all Ages
Join Tom Doyle from our Education Team to have a go at making a traditional St. Patrick’s badge from recycled and upcycled materials. These colourful badges were traditionally made and worn by children to honour our patron saint on his feast day and there are many examples of them in the National Folklife Collection. FIND OUT MORE
Hands-on History: Exporting Ireland- Sweaters, Ceramics and Pharmaceuticals
17th & 18th March 2023 from 1pm. Suitable for All.
National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts & History, Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 7.
This St. Patrick’s Festival, join Museum educators at the National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts & History for an interactive Hands-on History session exploring Ireland’s history on the global stage. From pharmaceuticals to clothing, learn about Ireland’s leading exports in a handling session featuring iconic Irish products and people. Booking not required, however spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis. FIND OUT MORE
Colouring Sheets: St. Patrick and his Relics
Online Activity, Suitable for children 7 - 12 years.
St. Patrick is Ireland’s patron saint and we celebrate him every year on the 17th March. Did you know that there are objects in the Museum’s collection that are believed to have once belonged to St. Patrick? These are called relics and are kept in very special and beautifully decorated containers called shrines. Discover more about St. Patrick and his relics by downloading and printing out these special colouring sheets and design your own shrine for something you hold special at home. FIND OUT MORE
- READ MORE: Bell of St Patrick and its Shrine
- READ MORE: A history of St Patrick's Day traditions
Browse more upcoming events at the National Museum of Ireland