3 Traditional Irish Celebrations and Their Outfits
St Patrick's Day, St Stephen's Day and Bloomsday each come with their own customs and dress code. Here is what to wear to fit right in.
If there is one thing to know about the Irish, it is that they love a good celebration. With so many cherished festivals in Ireland, there is always a reason to celebrate, in the right outfit of course. Whatever the occasion, green is the colour you will spot on most of the festival clothes Ireland has to offer. From St Patrick's Day to TradFest and Bloomsday, a touch of green never goes amiss.
3 traditional Irish celebrations and what to wear
Three traditional occasions stand out in Ireland, and some of them are celebrated around the world.
St Patrick's Day
The first and most popular is St Patrick's Day on 17 March. It honours Saint Patrick, who was born in Roman Britain, brought to Ireland as a slave in his youth and later returned as a missionary, and who is credited with spreading Christianity across the island. To fit into any St Patrick's Day crowd, simply wear an outfit or accessory with a shamrock design and a touch of green. Read more in our post about St Patrick's Day 2022.
St Stephen's Day
St Stephen's Day, on 26 December, is also known as Wren Day. The traditional outfit for the day is that of the mummers or wren boys: ragged clothes, masks and straw costumes, sometimes covering most of the body. In parts of Ireland, groups of wren boys still go from door to door with a decorated pole or a fake wren, singing, playing music and dancing.
Bloomsday
Bloomsday, on 16 June, celebrates James Joyce's novel Ulysses, which takes place on that date in 1904. Vintage Edwardian outfits are the order of the day. Women wear wide-brimmed hats, long dresses and ankle boots, while men put on boater or bowler hats and vintage suits. You will see them at readings and events around Dublin.
How to fit into any Irish celebration
If you are attending any of these celebrations and do not have the right outfit, here is a tip: find a green accessory that can take a prominent place on what you are wearing, and you are good to go. A green pocket square, brooch, scarf or earring is all you need to fit in at most Irish celebrations.
