10 Things to Do in Dublin in March

Dublin is a city that never leaves you indifferent. But if there is a month in which the city dresses up to celebrate, it is undoubtedly March, when the capital is dyed green to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.

Ana Caballero

Ana Caballero

12 min read

10 Things to Do in Dublin in March

Henrietta Street | ©William Murphy

The Irish capital dresses in green every March to welcome one of the country's most important holidays; St. Patrick's Day. But this is not the only thing to do in the city during this month. March welcomes spring and, despite having to dodge some rain, Dublin offers plenty to see and do during these dates.

If you are thinking of coming to Dublin in March, I am going to give you a list of 10 things to do in the city. From day trips, to city tours for both cloudy and spring days. And, of course, everything you need to know to experience an authentic St. Patrick's Day. Let's get started!

1. Experience Ireland's biggest holiday, St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day| ©William Murphy
St. Patrick's Day| ©William Murphy

Every March 17 in Ireland, the traditional thing to do is to dress in green, in honor of the color of St. Patrick's shamrock, and go to the most emblematic pubs to share a good craft beer in the company of friends and to the sound of parades and concerts that are scattered throughout the center of Dublin.

St. Patrick's Day is such a charismatic and fun celebration that has already gone around the world. However, its origin is in Ireland, specifically in its saint, Patrick, who represents not only the arrival of Catholicism in Ireland, but his supposed death would coincide with the day Ireland was proclaimed an independent republic.

This day, therefore, is tremendously important, as it represents not only a part of its tradition and culture, but also the birth of an independent Ireland. For Dubliners, and for Ireland as a whole, March 17 is a national holiday and is celebrated in style. Events on this day are free and many pubs in Dublin have special offers. All you have to do is get yourself a green outfit and go out and celebrate in style.

Explore Temple Bar in depth

The Temple Bar neighborhood is very famous as it is home to the most popular pubs in the whole city. At any time of the year it's fun to go for a beer and a bite to eat, but during the month of March, it takes on a much more special meaning. Spring is about to arrive, the days are getting longer and people are already looking forward to St. Patrick's Day.

I recommend you to book a tour of the Irish pubs in this area of Temple Bar or, if you prefer, go on your own to discover this picturesque place, sharing a nice time with the locals and tasting different types of national beer.

Interesting details

  • Price: the events these days are free, what you spend will depend on what you consume.
  • Tickets: no entrance fee is required.
  • Venue: there are events all over the city and a parade through the center. You can also have a drink in the Temple Bar area.
  • Date: March 17.

Book a pub crawl in Dublin

2. Take a Guinness Storehouse Tour

Guinness Storehouse in Dublin| ©Steven Lek
Guinness Storehouse in Dublin| ©Steven Lek

Do you like to enjoy a good beer? Surely by now you know that the famous Guinness stout is originally from Ireland, specifically its factories are located in Dublin and, if there is a better month to go to know it inside is in March, the month in which more beer is consumed throughout the year.

The Guinness bre wery is located in the city center and is an icon of Dublin. You can easily get there by bus getting off at Thomas St. Throughout all its years open to the public, the factory has been modernized and today you can book a tour of the Guinness brewery. Not only will you learn all about the brewing process and the history of the place, but you can also taste different types of beer, interact with different activities in the museum and even pour your own pint.

In addition, at the end, you can have a drink on the terrace on the top floor which has beautiful views of Dublin and during March boasts a pleasant climate with which to accompany a good pint of Guinness.

Details of interest

  • Price: approximately 114 €.
  • Tickets: you can buy the ticket through the official website or a tourism website.
  • Location: the factory is in St. James's Gate.
  • Date: it is open all year round, but during March is the month that most consumes this brand so there is usually special decoration and themed St. Patrick.

Book a Guinness Factory Tour

3. Taste Belfast's raw material in its gastronomic fair

Through the streets of Belfast| ©Lyn Gateley
Through the streets of Belfast| ©Lyn Gateley

Dublin is an enchanted city full of things to do, but if you want to make the most of the month of March, I suggest you take a day trip to the beautiful city of Belfast, just an hour and a half from Dublin to attend the Ifex food fair, the largest in the country.

If you decide to book a trip to Belfast, not only will you be able to see first hand the world of hospitality and its innovations but, to the delight of your palate, you will be able to taste the different products passing through the stands and see the best chefs from all over the country cooking live.

If you like to enjoy food, no doubt you will love this fair and, in addition, you will take the opportunity to see the surroundings of Dublin. Here's how to get from Dublin to Belfast.

Details of interest

  • Price: it is free.
  • Tickets: no ticket required.
  • Place: at the Titanic Quarter, Queens Rd.
  • Date: during the last days of March.

Book a tour to Belfast

4. Take a cruise on the Liffey

Cruise on the Liffey River| ©marchu50
Cruise on the Liffey River| ©marchu50

Take advantage of the fact that in March the days begin to be a little longer to take a pleasant cruise on one of the main rivers of Dublin, the Liffey. During the winter days, the rains and the cold make it very unpleasant to embark for a few hours on one of the boats leaving from the river port of Dublin. However, in March there are many companies that organize boat tours or even kayaking.

For about 20 € you can book a two-hour sightseeing cruise around Dublin, passing through some of the most famous bridges in Dublin and even enjoying live music in true Irish style.

Undoubtedly, an ideal plan to get to know Dublin in March with your partner or family. I recommend that you always bring a jacket or something warm in case it cools down, but do not miss it, as the spring sunsets in Dublin are amazing.

Details of interest

  • Price: about 20 €.
  • Tickets: I recommend booking your ticket in advance on a travel website.
  • Place: all cruises usually depart from the river port, in North Dock.
  • Date: the best time to do it is when spring starts.

Book a sightseeing cruise in Dublin

5. Take advantage of the good weather to get to know the surroundings of Dublin

Blarney Castle| ©Postdlf
Blarney Castle| ©Postdlf

Ireland is a country full of history. Its vast green meadows and cliffs have been the setting for numerous films and series. However, it also has a past full of tradition and a mixture of cultures. One of the advantages of traveling to Dublin in March is that from here you will be just a few kilometers from some of the most famous daytime destinations.

At the end of March spring begins and with it the weather is perfect for an organized tour of some of the most important scenes of its past. From Dublin you can make numerous tours and excursions but, on this occasion, I recommend two especially: the village of Howth and the visit to Blarney Castle.

Learn about the Viking past in Howth

This fishing village not only has a large influx of tourists for its famous lighthouse and its proximity to the city of Dublin, but for being a strategic point during the time of the Vikings. During your visit you will be able to see recreations of its Viking tradition and ruins of the old medieval fortress that protected the so-called Eye of Ireland.

Visit Blarney Castle

If you want to know firsthand how these lands were founded, you have to go back to the 5th century with the arrival of King Munster. There is no better setting to recreate it than Blarney Castle, the first royal residence in medieval times and one of the castles you can not miss in Dublin. The easiest way to get there is to book an excursion to Blarney.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 80 €.
  • Tickets: it is best to book the tour of your choice in advance on a travel website.
  • Location: in the town of Howth and County Cork. Read our post on how to get from Dublin to Cork.
  • Date: it is ideal to see it when spring starts as there are not so many people and the weather is favorable.

Book an excursion to Blarney

6. Soak up the culture in Dublin's museums without the crowds

National Museum of Archaeology| ©Mike Peel
National Museum of Archaeology| ©Mike Peel

Dublin is a very cosmopolitan city with many museums and places of interest. Visiting them is something that can be interesting all year round. However, I recommend that, if you come to Dublin in March, go to the museums in the days when the weather is not good because, in addition, there will be hardly any people.

March has the advantage of being a month where you can enjoy the first rays of sunshine of the year, but it also often starts to sparkle from time to time. For this date, nothing like entering one of its many museums such as:

You can reach these museums taking advantage of the route of the Dublin tourist buses.

Details of interest

  • Price: the national museums are free and the EPIC has a price from 21 €.
  • Tickets: you can avoid the queues by getting your ticket in advance on the official website.
  • Location: the National Museum of Archaeology in Kildare St. and the National Gallery is in Merrion Square W, while the EPIC is located in The Chq Building, Custom House Quay, North Dock.
  • Date: open all year round, but it is advisable to go in low season to avoid the crowds, such as March.

Book tickets for the Irish Emigration Museum

7. Take a night tour of Dublin at its darkest

Dublin by night| ©William Murphy
Dublin by night| ©William Murphy

The city of Dublin has many centuries of history and although today it is one of the most modern capitals of the continent, among its narrow streets hides many stories and legends, and not exactly positive.

During the Viking Age and the Middle Ages there were several legends of murder, crime and ghost stories that today the many night tours of the city are responsible for transmitting.

During the winter in Dublin, such activities are not usually very successful, because when the sun goes out it is usually too cold to be in the street. However, in March the weather is warmer, so you can book a ghost bus tour of Dublin, do you dare to get to know the spookiest part of the city?

Interesting details

  • Price: usually around 24 €.
  • Tickets: I recommend booking the tour in advance on a travel website, although there are companies in Dublin where you can book it on the spot.
  • Place: they usually tour the downtown area at sunset.
  • Date: it is an ideal type of tour to do with the arrival of spring as it is interesting that it is at night and it is not as cold as in winter.

Book a ghost bus tour of Dublin

8. Welcome spring in Phoenix Park

Phoenix Park| ©Alain Rouiller
Phoenix Park| ©Alain Rouiller

March is a month of transition. Dublin comes out of the cold, wet winter and begins to show its first flowers. You may get caught in a rainstorm one day during your trip, but this is not a common occurrence during the month. That is why I propose you to enjoy the outdoors as much as you can and go for a walk through one of the largest urban parks in Europe, the Phoenix Park, which you can if you do the route of the Dublin tourist buses.

This place is ideal if you come to Dublin with children as you will have large meadows to run, picnic or just stroll. The park has a total of 700 hectares and was created more than 200 years ago as a deer preserve. Nowadays, if you are lucky, you will be able to see these beautiful animals roaming freely in the park. Also, if you have time, you can visit the zoo inside the park and spend a nice day with the family.

There are several bus lines that leave you at the door, as well as the streetcar, getting off at Heuston station. If you want to enjoy the arrival of spring and the Irish nature without leaving the city, grab your backpack, pack something to eat and drink and go spend the day in this impressive park, I assure you that you will not regret it!

Details of interest

  • Price: entrance to the park is free.
  • Tickets: no entrance fee is required.
  • Location: in Phoenix Park, there are several bus lines and a streetcar that passes through Heuston Station.
  • Date: at the end of March you can begin to appreciate the arrival of spring in the park.

Book the Dublin sightseeing bus

9. Meet the traditional dance

Dancing boys|©OZinOH
Dancing boys|©OZinOH

An ideal plan with the arrival of spring weather when the nightlife begins to brighten up, is to book a traditional music and dance show in Dublin where you can enjoy an Irish dinner while delving into the musical culture of the country.

This event includes traditional music and dances performed by professional musicians and popular instruments such as the Bodhran, Uilleann pipes and the Harp but humorous stories. And all this in a unique setting, in a Georgian house of the eighteenth century.

Regarding dinner, includes three courses and you can taste the Guinness stew or chocolate cake with Baileys.

Details of interest

  • Price: The price of the show is from 29 €.
  • Tickets: It is advisable to book in advance.
  • Venue: 18th century Georgian house.
  • Date: From March it is extended to six days a week.

Book a traditional music and dance show

10. Feel the adrenaline at the Irish Motorbike Show

At the Irish Motorbike Show| ©Joaquin
At the Irish Motorbike Show| ©Joaquin

If you like strong emotions and participate in unique and specialized festivals, I assure you that the Irish Motorbike Show will make you enjoy like a little kid. Every year, during the first week of March, a spectacular event is held in Dublin where all the latest trends in motorcycles and scooters are promoted.

It is clear that most likely you have not come on vacation to Dublin to take a motorcycle as a souvenir, but if you like this world, you will enjoy seeing all the new models on display. In addition, you can enjoy all kinds of activities and shows.

During these days, stunt shows on wheels, catwalks with specialized clothing and all kinds of exhibitions are organized.

Details of interest

  • Price: around 20 €.
  • Tickets: you can buy them through the official website.
  • Place: the festival is usually organized on Merrion Rd.
  • Date: during the first week of March.

What is the weather like in Dublin in March

Rainy day in Dublin| ©Giuseppe Milo
Rainy day in Dublin| ©Giuseppe Milo

March in Dublin offers itself as a kind of oasis in the middle of the complicated climate of the country. After long winter months with temperatures dropping to 0 degrees Celsius, in March the temperatures start to rise, reaching an average of 11 to 16 degrees Celsius, ideal for enjoying everything to see and do in Dublin during these dates.

In addition, although it usually rains a lot in April in Dublin, in March the rains are infrequent, averaging only 10 days of showers per month. You should only worry about carrying a portable umbrella and a light coat in case it cools down.

Dublin is a city worth visiting at least once in a lifetime and I can't think of a better time to go than in March, when the city dresses up for a party. There is no better way to get to know a city than mingling among its people and, during the whole of March, the Dubliners become the perfect hosts. Enjoy it!

Book a guided tour of Dublin