On Monday, March 17th, the whole world will once again turn Irish green and wear the shamrock, the symbol of Ireland that flies on every Irish house facade on that day. My big dream would be to go and celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day in Ireland one year, in Dublin, Cork, or Galway, to see how the Irish pay tribute to their patron saint. Anyway, while waiting to make that dream come true, here is a small selection of tips to enjoy Saint Patrick’s Day in Paris, because here too, beer will be flowing in the pubs!
A quick history lesson:
Many myths and legends surround Saint Patrick, who was reportedly not originally from Ireland, but from Scotland or Wales. Abducted by Irish bandits, he escaped to England to become a priest. Returning to Ireland later to evangelize the country, he is said to have explained the Holy Trinity using a shamrock and driven the “snakes” out of the country…
This event marked the conversion of the Irish to the Catholic religion. Over time, the date of March 17th was added to the Catholic liturgical calendar to become a holy day for believers. Although celebrated by all Irish people around the world, Saint Patrick’s Day is not a national holiday. In 1903, it became a public holiday, which led to the prohibition of alcohol consumption in pubs. This measure was repealed in the 1970s. For the past twenty years, the Irish government has been promoting the culture around the Saint Patrick’s Festival, a national event that grows larger every year with street parades, concerts, fireworks, and more…
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Paddy O’Flaherty’s Parade in Paris Irish Pubs
In 2022 and 2023, on Saint Patrick’s evening, I went on a tour of the most iconic Irish Pubs in Paris with my favorite photographer and the famous Paddy O’Flaherty Irish whiskey. As the second best-selling Irish whiskey brand in France, PADDY takes its name from Paddy O’Flaherty, a traveling salesman for the “Cork Distilleries Company” in the 1880s. For Saint Patrick’s Day 2025, also known as “Paddy’s Day” in Ireland, the brand is inviting everyone to a festive immersion on March 6th, 7th, 14th, and 15th, 2025, in several cities across France. Paris, Tours, Nantes, Vannes, and Le Mans will host “Paddy O’Flaherty’s Parade,” an event where musicians in traditional attire and hosts will visit two iconic venues in each city for an evening filled with Irish melodies.
2025 Paddy Parade in Paris:
- 8:00 PM at O’Jason (12 rue de la Huchette 75005 Paris)
- 9:30 PM at Galaway (13 Quai des Grands Augustins 75006 Paris)
Parisian Irish Pubs
Mc Brides Rebel – 54 Rue Saint-Denis, 75001 Paris
Celtic Corner – 28 Rue de la Grande Truanderie, 75001 Paris
Pub Saint-Hilaire – 2 rue Valette 75005 Paris
Corcoran’s Gd Blvd – 23 Bd Poissonnière, 75002 Paris
Corcoran’s Clichy – 110 Bd de Clichy, 75018 Paris
Corcoran’s Sacré Cœur – 9-11 Rue Foyatier, 75018 Paris
James Hetfeeld’s Clichy – 118 Bd de Clichy, 75018 Paris
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Celtic Legends
Once again this year, the famous Irish troupe will be on an exceptional tour throughout France from February 25th to April 18th in 42 French cities and in Paris from March 13th to 16th, 2025, at the Salle Pleyel. This brand new troupe of 20 dancers with spirited tap dancing will offer a festive show mixing joy, friendliness, and virtuosity, blending traditional Irish dance envisioned by choreographer Jacintha Sharpe and more modern Tap Dance with an enduring Irish charm. This musical journey is an ode to Celtic culture, to the rhythm of tap shoes and the sound of traditional instruments played by the 5 musicians: Uilleann Pipe (Irish bagpipes), flute, violin, Bodhran (drum), and guitar, led by Sean Mc Carthy, the musical director.
Celtic Legends
At the Salle Pleyel from March 13th to 16th, 2025
From February 25th to April 18th, 2025, in 42 French cities
Prices in Paris: between €43 and €77
Prices in the regions: between €37 and €50
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Irish Celtic: The Path of Legends
Irish Celtic is returning to France in March and April 2025 and to the Casino de Paris from March 14th to 23rd, 2025, to present “Le Chemin Des Légendes” (The Path of Legends), the 3rd chapter of their saga. Come dance and celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day with this unforgettable show! After “Spirit of Ireland” and “Generations”, set off on “Le Chemin Des Légendes” and head toward the soul of Ireland for an evening full of joy, celebration, and energy. For nearly two hours, talented dancers on stage and live musicians, selected from among the best in Ireland, will introduce you to legendary songs, Celtic traditions, and the mysteries of their island.
Irish Celtic
From March 14th to 23rd, 2025, at the Casino de Paris and on tour in France in March and April
Prices: between €35 and €69.50
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Saint Patrick’s Day at FrogPubs
The pioneers of craft beer in Paris, FrogPubs (which I have already mentioned in a previous article), will also be dressing up in Saint Patrick’s Day colors! The Parisian pubs, including the Frog Hop Hop House (which, let’s remember, opened in place of the famous Irish pub Kitty O’ Shea’s at 10 rue des Capucines in the Opéra district… that’s appropriate!), will dress all their beers in green (magic!), and will invite you to enjoy their many handcrafted house beers in a friendly atmosphere.
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The Irish Cultural Centre
Obviously, I can’t talk about Saint Patrick’s Day in Paris without mentioning the activities offered for the occasion by the Irish Cultural Centre (Centre Culturel Irlandais) from March 11th to 20th, 2025. Green will be the order of the day, and traditional music will be especially highlighted during several evenings.
- Tuesday, March 11th at 7:30 PM: cinema with “That They May Face The Rising Sun”
- Wednesday, March 12th at 7:30 PM: music with Gaulín Traditional and Singers’ Club, Piaras O Lorcáin & Eoghan O Ceannabháin
- Thursday, March 13th and Friday, March 14th at 7:30 PM: Chapel Sessions with Piaras O Lorcáin and Eoghan O Ceannabháin
- Sunday, March 16th from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM: St. Patrick’s Family Day, dress in Saint Patrick’s Day colors and come celebrate the Irish national holiday as it should be during a festive afternoon – concerts, zany shows, screenings, face painting and coloring workshops… – that will delight all ages in the CCI courtyard!
- Tuesday, March 18th at 7:30 PM: cinema with “Kneecap”
- Thursday, March 20th at 7:30 PM: concert with Breaking Trad
Centre Culturel Irlandais
5, rue des Irlandais, 75005 Paris
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La Brasserie du Roi & La Ménagerie
This craft brewery located in Versailles is offering an Irish evening at La Ménagerie (the brewery’s taproom located in Saint-Cyr-l’Ecole) on Friday, March 14th, starting at 6:00 PM with a concert, cocktail, special burger, and the “Nuit de Cannelle” Stout pint for €6.
La Brasserie du Roi / 9 Rue Montbauron, 78000 Versailles
La Ménagerie / 75 rue du Docteur Vaillant, Saint-Cyr-L’Ecole
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All that remains for me is to wish you a very happy Saint Patrick’s Day, and I hope that next year, I can tell you how I celebrated March 17th in Ireland!
