Where to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Greece?
What was once a day marked mainly in Ireland has become a multi-day global festival! Greece is no exception, and there are a number of great events coming up all over the country to get you in the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th. A list of events supported by the Irish Embassy taking place in pubs, restaurants, cinemas and theatres around the country. Bbainigí taitneamh as!
Thursday 14 March
- Grevena St Patrick’s Day Festival
This four-day festival takes place in the town of Grevena in northern Greece, and will continue straight through to St Patrick’s Day on Sunday 17 March. There will be live music from Tír Fada, Trees Celts and Iernis, Irish food on offer in the restaurants, Irish dancing lessons, a workshop for children on storytelling, and even a discussion with a monk from Mount Athos, who has a PHD in Celtic Studies! - Greening of Stathatos Mansion, Museum of Cycladic Art
Every year, Tourism Ireland turns iconic buildings and landmarks green for St Patrick’s Day, known as the Global Greenings. For the first time, a public building in Greece will be greened – the Stathatos Mansion of the Museum of Cycladic Art. Follow @TourismIreland on Twitter and @tourismireland on Instagram to see the world turn green!
Friday 15 March
- Cinema Alive – “The Commitments”
The acclaimed cult classic musical by Alan Parker, based on a novel by Roddy Doyle, tells the tale of a group of young people from working class Dublin who defy the odds to set up a soul band. Cinema Alive will screen the movie, accompanied by live music from the explosive local soul band “Da Band”, followed by a DJ set – and all tickets come with a complimentary beer! - The Dubliner, Thessaloniki – St Patrick’s Day Party
Norther Greece’s number one Irish pub will kick off its three-day party, culminating on Sunday, with live music from Tír Fada, The Shamrocks, Iannis, as well as prizes and other fun and games. - O’Connell’s Irish Pub, Piraeus
O’Connell’s will be celebrating St Patrick’s Weekend with live music on Friday from Plump Buck Mulligan, and Eselon Unplugged.
Saturday 16 March
- Greek Irish Society St Patrick’s Day Ball
The annual St Patrick’s Day Gala Ball takes place in the glamorous Grande Bretagne Hotel. Sumptuous food, live music from a variety of performers and hours of dancing, this is the highlight of the Greek Irish Society’s calendar. A very limited number of tickets are still available – contact the GIS ASAP if you would like to attend. - Molly Malone’s Irish pub, Piraeus
Molly’s will have live music on Saturday night, as well as a Tullamore whiskey promotion. Irish music will be played from Friday to Sunday, to celebrate the weekend that’s in it! - O’Connell’s Irish Pub, Piraeus
O’Connell’s will be screening the Six Nations Rugby matches, followed by live music from the country and rock & roll band, The Wanted Men. - James Joyce Irish pub, Monastiraki
The James Joyce will have a Tullamore whiskey promotion on Saturday, as well as Irish music all weekend. The Six Nations Rugby matches will be screened on Saturday evening.
Sunday 17 March
- Cine Doc – “While You Live, Shine”
“While You Live, Shine” (“Οσον ζης φαίνου”) is the fascinating and absorbing story of how Alexis Zoumbas’ Epiriot music, recorded in the 1920s, changed an American record collector’s life. It will be screened at Danos Cinema (Κινηματογράφος Δαναός), and is in both English and Greek (with subtitles). This beautiful film is directed by the acclaimed Irish director, Paul Duane, and supported by the Arts Council of Ireland. - “The Pot of Gold” / “Η χύτρα με το χρυσάφι”
Theatre group ΜΟΡΦΕΣ ΕΚΦΡΑΣΗΣ are currently staging an Irish-themed children’s play called “Η χύτρα με το χρυσάφι”/”The Pot of Gold”. While it is playing every Sunday until 5 May, it would be a particularly lovely St Patrick’s Day family activity. The play is in Greek and is aimed at children between 4 and 12, with music by Thomas Kindynis and his Fairy Tale Orchestra, and directed by Anna Sevasti Tzima. - James Joyce Irish pub, Monastiraki
The James Joyce will have live music on St Patrick’s Day, playing Irish tunes all day long.
Saturday 23 March
- Children’s St Patrick’s Day Party
The Greek Irish Society’s Kids Party will take place for the second year in a row on Saturday, 23 March from 12:00 to 16:00, in northern Athens (exact location TBC).
Food and refreshments will be provided. Activities are aimed at children aged 12 and under. To attend or for more information, contact greekirishsociety@gmail.com and you will be added to the “Irish parents in Athens” WhatsApp group.
