Heading to Dublin for St Patrick's Day? Explore the city like a local

Why celebrate your national day for just one day when you can extend it to four? That’s the thinking behind St Patrick’s Festival in Dublin, which brings locals and visitors out in force to honour Ireland’s patron saint. In addition to the main parade on 17 February, there’s a host of activities around the city, from cabaret performances and live music to guided walks and story-telling sessions. When you’ve had your fill of the festival, step away from the events and enjoy the city just as Dubliners do — whether you fancy a seaside sauna or a screening in a vintage cinema.

Hang out on Drury Street

When the sun’s out, this street becomes an al fresco hangout spot, but it’s a hub of creativity no matter what the weather’s doing. Browse the indie design boutiques and vintage shops before nabbing an outdoor seat at Loose Canon for the ultimate cheese toastie, or get a slab of Roman-style pizza at Mani.

Feast at Chubbys

When Barry Stephens, one of the city’s favourite chefs, opened a restaurant in the suburb of Clontarf, it quickly became one of the hottest tickets in town. Dubliners come to gather over plates of sticky honey-fried chicken, 10-hour smoked beef cheeks and the best birria tacos you’ll find outside Mexico. Chubbys is set in a warehouse, with terracotta pink walls and quirky prints: the best seat is at the curved bar overlooking the pass, where you can watch flatbreads and lamb ribs get charred over the flames, and eavesdrop on the jovial chat among the chefs.

Sweat in a sauna

Saunas have popped up all over Ireland of late, appearing by lakes or parked up by the sea. But while the trend is burning hot right now, the tradition here actually dates back to the 17th century, when beehive-shaped sweat lodges were used for medicinal purposes. Dublin has several great options. Try The Hot Box in Inchicore, with five saunas, plunge pools and both a boutique gin distillery and brewery next door. Or head south to its Killiney location, where you can intersperse your session with quick dashes into the sea.

Go to a storytelling night

There’s recently been a resurgence in the seanchaí tradition in Dublin, where a speaker stands before the room and weaves a yarn. Seanchaí events to speak at or listen to include Seanchoíche, which regularly pops up in The Fumbally cafe in The Liberties area, or the Dublin Story Slam in the city centre.

Cosy up with a movie

The Stella Theatre opened in 1923, and while it’s been updated since, with leather armchairs and side tables for your cocktail, its art deco glamour remains. The best films are the old Hollywood classics screened on Friday afternoons, with a complimentary glass of prosecco.

Browse a market

Dublin doesn’t have a permanent market but several pop up at the weekend, including the monthly We Love Markets in The Liberties. On a site set around an 18th-century windmill, expect to find a DJ spinning vinyl, food trucks and vintage stalls.