St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland: A Williston, North Dakota Radio Host’s Tale of Adventure and Fun

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

This holiday became even more special in 2022 when I celebrated it in Dublin, Ireland—my first overseas trip, first passport stamp, and an unforgettable adventure.

Once COVID travel restrictions lifted, my friends Rochelle, Sean, Mark, and I planned a spring break trip to Ireland, booking flights and hotels six months in advance. We flew out of Williston’s XWA airport—super convenient. But upon arrival, Rochelle and I discovered our luggage hadn’t made it. My bag arrived three days later; hers finally showed up… in June. Lesson learned: carry-on only!

We kicked off the trip with a guided Wild Rover bus tour to Northern Ireland, which I highly recommend. Stops included Belfast, where we took a Black Cab political tour and visited the Titanic Museum, the breathtaking Giant’s Causeway, and the cliffside ruins of Dunluce Castle—famous from Game of Thrones.

Day two was all about Dublin—St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the National Gallery of Ireland, and the Oscar Wilde Sculpture. While Rochelle and Sean shopped for much-needed clothes, Mark and I found a pub for beers and chippers (potato chips).

On St. Patrick’s Day, Dublin’s streets overflowed with celebration as the national parade returned post-pandemic. With dazzling floats, interactive performances, and 12 marching bands from around the world, it was the biggest, most impressive parade I’ve ever seen. Every bar was packed, so we watched the revelry from our hotel’s rooftop bar.

The last two days included a Guinness Brewery tour, a Tori Amos concert, thrift shopping, and getting matching screaming possum tattoos at Liberty Ink. Meanwhile, the guys took a bus tour of Dublin.

Looking back, my only regret was not renting a car to explore more. Next time: Cork, Kerry, and the Blarney Stone. To anyone traveling abroad—embrace adventure, take lots of pictures, and soak in every moment. Cheers!

Check out some of my pictures below.