The St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland was by far the most amazing parade that I have ever seen. It was so creative, artistic, and heartwarming that I stopped taking pictures and put my phone away because the pictures weren’t able to capture the beauty within each float and performance. As soon as I learned that the parade theme this year was "Imagine If…" I knew that it would be brilliant. Throughout the parade, people walked by with big balloons that said things such as "opportunity," "happiness," and "equality." Imagine if our word truly embodied those things?
The acts included marching bands, dance routines, cheers, twirling, bike riding, walking on stilts, and anything else that you would imagine. Each costume seemed to be handmade. These weren’t store bought costumes that were simply promoting a television show or an advertisement campaign. It was unlike anything that I had ever seen before. They were colorful, vibrant, and unique. My favorite part of the parade was the fact that it was something that everyone could participate in. People with special needs performed, people of all different ages performed, and people from all over the world performed.
Dublin is a magical city. The history is incredible and it’s beautiful, but it is the people of Dublin who truly make it so grand. There are barely any street signs, so tourists have to ask locals for directions and the Dubliners are more than willing to help. Soon enough, you will be walking through the cobblestone streets of the city center with live music playing on every corner. Imagine street performers everywhere and the smell of food lingering in the brisk air. People even walk through the streets of the city without their eyes plastered to their phones.
The parade was amazing and absolutely worth it, but it wouldn’t have been the same without the people. The kind people of Ireland made it possible for everyone to be involved and they were welcoming to the tourists who were infiltrating their city as well. Add it to your bucket list: celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin.
