Looking to immerse yourself in the true spirit of St. Patrick’s Day without getting lost in the crowds? Bewley’s Grafton Street, one of Dublin’s most iconic cultural landmarks, is hosting an impressive lineup of events celebrating Irish heritage and contemporary culture on the weekend before our national holiday.

From March 15th-16th, the café will transform into a hub of authentic Irish celebration, with performances spanning traditional music, spoken word, and community arts—creating the perfect opportunity for locals to reclaim this festival as their own.

And on St. Patrick’s Day itself (March 17th), while the masses gather for Dublin’s spectacular parade, Bewley’s doors remain open, offering a welcoming haven where visitors can escape the crowds and recharge with our scrumptious treats, finest loose leaf teas, and renowned coffees before rejoining the festivities.

A Cultural Celebration for Dubliners

Cól Campbell, Managing Director of Bewley’s Grafton Street notes that many Dubliners mistakenly believe the festivities are designed primarily for tourists.

“We want to make Dublin proud and ensure that St. Patrick’s weekend is a true community celebration for everyone who calls this city home. The whole weekend presents a chance to celebrate our culture and a contemporary take on what it means to be Irish. People can come to Bewley’s Grafton Street for a bit of atmosphere and a great programme of events – it could even become an annual tradition.”

Event Highlights

Saturday, March 15th

REIC: 7:00 PM – 9:15 PM (Doors Open at 6:30 PM)

Venue: First floor (Café Academy or James Joyce depending on guest numbers)

REIC Bilingual Spoken Word Night  Celebrating its 10th anniversary, this inclusive event welcomes performances in Irish and other languages. Founded by Clontarf poet Ciara Ní É, REIC creates a space where people can share poetry, rap, music and storytelling in their native tongue. Featured performers include poets Dairena Ní Chinnéide, Cormac Fitz, and Gormfhlaith Ní Shíocháin Ní Bheoláin, alongside musician Ush Mush, who blends traditional Irish sounds with reggaeton and dancehall.

Sunday, March 16th

The Forget Me Nots::11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Venue: Harry Clarke / Atrium Room (To be confirmed).

REIC Bilingual Spoken Word Night  Celebrating its 10t

The Forget Me Nots Choir : This inclusive community choir from Baldoyle, Co Dublin, specifically welcomes those affected by memory loss, demonstrating the power of music to bring people together across generations and experiences.

The Kane Sisters: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Venue:  Harry Clarke Room (Ground Floor)

The Kane Sisters – Internationally acclaimed fiddle players Liz and Yvonne Kane from Connemara bring their world-class traditional music to Bewley’s. Having performed at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall and the Royal Albert Hall, this intimate café performance offers a rare opportunity to experience their music in a historic Dublin setting.

The Lovely Show Podcast Live: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Doors open at 5:30 PM)

Venue: Café Theatre – upstairs bar will be open to provide full bar service for guests.

The Lovely Show Podcast Live: Already sold out, this first-ever live recording of the popular podcast features top comedians Justine Stafford and Kevin McGahern, blending contemporary Irish humour with the historic ambiance of Bewley’s.

Join Us for the Celebrations

Whether you’re a lifelong Dubliner or new to the city, Bewley’s St. Patrick’s weekend celebration offers the perfect opportunity to experience authentic Irish culture in one of Dublin’s most cherished institutions.

For more information on these events and the full St. Patrick’s Festival programme, visit the official festival website.