With a special emphasis on naisc, or connections, the National St. Patrick's Festival is set to make its triumphant return from March 16 to 20 – as a spectacular global celebration of Irish arts, culture and heritage. This year's Festival will also play host to some of Ireland's most celebrated musicians from a diverse selection of genres and styles at the new Festival Quarter – with Lyra, Damien Dempsey, Soulé, Le Boom with Glasshouse Orchestra, and Shandrum Céilí Band all set to grace the stage throughout the five-day festival.

Following the unparalleled challenges of last two years, St. Patrick's Festival 2022 serves as an invitation to reconnect in Dublin, as the iconic National St. Patrick’s Day Parade returns to the city on March 17. New for 2022, meanwhile, is the aforementioned Festival Quarter at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks – which will be home to a magical day-to-night urban Festival for all, from March 16 to 20.

FESTIVAL QUARTER DAYS

Thursday 17th – Saturday 20th, 12pm–6pm

Featuring four days of family friendly musical adventures running from March 17 to 20, Festival Quarter Days is open to all ages. You can get into the true St. Patrick’s Day spirit with the return of the much loved Céilí Mór on the Main Stage on March 17, with the Shandrum Ceili Band, Jiggy, The Bonny Men, and many more incredible traditional Irish artists, musicians and dancers featuring throughout the day.

Live performances to enjoy during Festival Quarter Days include Grooveline, the BLOC Hip Hop Party featuring Selló, Curiosity MG, Yomi Attention, Blaq Appollo and The Clan Worldwide; Music Generation’s 52-piece Harp Orchestra; Code of Behaviour, Ush Mush and many more.

Abair, an international traditional arts project, made possible through the support of The Arts Council of Ireland, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government, and the Spanish Embassy in Dublin, will feature conversations and songs with The Mary Wallopers, Spanish performer Juan Pinilla, Chris Miles, Welsh folk musician Gwilym Bowen Rhys, Grace Toland, Joe Mulhern and many more.

FESTIVAL QUARTER NIGHTS

Wednesday 16 – Saturday 19, 6pm–10.30pm

For the over 18s, the National Museum of Ireland at Collins Barracks will transform from 6pm each evening into Festival Quarter Nights – with stunning lighting displays and decor; a bustling food village, bars and hangout areas; and the very best of Irish contemporary and traditional music to enjoy.

On opening night, Wednesday, March 16, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist LYRA will be joined on the Main Stage by special guest electronic pop star Soulé and many more. Mother DJs will take over the Spiegeltent Mór, while over at the Spiegeltent Beag you'll be able to join the ridiculously entertaining Paradise Cabaret hosted by Cian Austin Jesus and featuring Brian the Magic Man, Leonie Pony, Tom the Clay Head Campbell, Headonbody, The Wild Geeze, The Dirtbird, Gaeilgeoir, Cara Park, Gas Patter of Avoca Reaction and The Ping Pong Girls as they close out the opening-night celebrations.

On Thursday, St. Patrick’s Night, you can catch the hottest new Irish acts at Mo Cultivation in the Spiegeltent Mór​ with Nealo, Celaviedmai, Sim Simma Soundsystem, 1000 Beasts with Khakikid & Decarteret, The X-Collective and DJ Safarii.

On Friday, a special Bank Holiday for 2022, legendary Dublin singer-songwriter Damien Dempsey will uplift the voices of Dublin and the stories of Ireland on the Main Stage. The Spiegeltent Mór, meanwhile, will play host to Mango X MathMan featuring Trinity Orchestra, Malaki and Adam Mohammed.

On Saturday, ​Le Boom will be bringing their buzzing energy to Festival Quarter Nights – joined by The Glasshouse Orchestra plus guest Æ MAK on the Main Stage

The Sing Along Social crew make their first appearance in two years with their boldest session to date in the Spiegeltent Mór​, alongside eight-piece funk and party anthem troupe Cooks But We're Chefs.

The Festival Programme is available now at stpatricksfestival.ie and will continue to be updated as more events are announced.

All daytime events will be free of charge, on a first come, first served basis, while some night time events will require a pre-purchased ticket.

See stpatricksfestival.ie for tickets and further details.