Friday 17th March is St Patrick's Day, the biggest party night of the year not only in Ireland but across the UK too.

Pubs and clubs across Britain will be filling up on Friday with revellers kitted out in glittery green get-ups and shamrock hats, downing pints of Guinness and requesting the Ed Sheeran/B*Witched mash-up from the DJ. 

So this St Patrick's Day why not ditch the clichéd British St Paddy's night and head to the home of St Patrick instead to experience an authentic taste of Ireland.

Ireland holiday specialists, Ireland Luxury Travel have compiled a handy guide on how to enjoy St Patrick's like a local with a weekend break in three of Ireland's most popular cities.

Dublin

Ireland's capital city Dublin has everything you could want from an Ireland break – breathtaking scenery, bustling pubs and good craic.

Where to stay: In Dublin you must stay in the city centre. There is a wide variety of hotels to choose from, whatever your budget, and as the city centre is so compact it's easy to explore on foot from your city centre base. 

Where to eat: For a fine dining experience in Dublin head to Chapter One, located in the city's Parnell Square. The award winning restaurant serves a variety of artisan dishes including seafood, meat and vegetarian options. Not only delicious, the food here is visually spectacular too.

Where to drink: Of course you can't celebrate St Patrick's without a Guinness or a whiskey. At Dublin's Palace Bar you'll find both. The traditional pub boasts a selection of 50 or so Irish whiskeys and you're sure to make some new friends by the bar as the pub is known for its chatty clientele.

Must do: The Irish Whiskey Museum is an interactive tour through the rise, fall and resurgence of whiskey in Ireland. The entertaining guided tour recounts stories of whiskey from the 1800s to the present day, and of course there are whiskey samples to enjoy throughout the tour. Plus, there is a bar where you can indulge in whiskey cocktails and Irish coffee when the tour is complete.

A 4*, 2-night St Patrick's weekend break in Dublin, is available with Ireland Luxury Travel from £200 per person sharing

Cork

Cork is the second largest city in Ireland and its colourful streets, renowned restaurant scene and plethora of museums and galleries are making it an ever more popular tourist destination.

Where to stay: Cork is small and compact. Pick a nice city hotel and enjoy the lively city night life.

Where to eat: Elbow Lane has only been open for a few years but has already gained the status as one of the most loved restaurants in Cork. The smokehouse and brew includes an in-house nano brewery, where the popular Elbow Lane craft beer is created. Food is a smoky selection of steaks and seafood, with vegetarian options also well catered for. 

Where to drink: The Mutton Lane Inn is one of the oldest drinking establishments in the city of Cork. Before heading inside make sure to take time to explore the mural which runs the length of Mutton Lane. The mural is filled with stories which the locals will be more than happy to share with you. Inside the pub is candle lit with good music, friendly staff and strictly no TV in order to encourage conversation.

Must do: Head to Baltimore for a unique whale watching experience. There are many boat tours to choose from leaving from Baltimore Harbour in either the morning or afternoon. Expect to see mink, fin and humpback whales and possibly even dolphins and porpoises.

A 4* 2-night St Patrick's weekend break in Cork is available with Ireland Luxury Travel from £180 per person sharing

Galway

Where to stay: Base yourself near Eyre Square, a public park within the city centre of Galway. Eyre Square is a must-see in itself and the location places you well for exploring the rest of the city centre and the shopping streets.

Where to eat: Loam is a Michelin-starred restaurant located in Fairgreen, Galway City. The restaurant's menu changes daily but sample dishes include oysters, duck and venison. The restaurant offers a decadent 7-course tasting menu or their Simplicity 2-3 course menu. Loam prides itself on their sustainability ethos and they only use locally sourced produce from the West of Ireland. 

Where to drink: You can't really go wrong for a pub in Galway city centre, finding a cosy corner where you can enjoy a pint and some live Irish music is a must. Tigh Fox is a great choice for some traditional Irish music and a welcoming, warm atmosphere.

Must do: Venture out to the Aran Islands. It would even be worthwhile extending your trip to include a night staying on the islands. Each of the three islands have their own character. The beautiful islands are ideal for exploring on foot or by bike. The traditional language of Irish Gaelic is spoken across the island offering a unique addition to an Ireland break.

A  4*, 2-night St Patrick's weekend break in Galway is available with Ireland Luxury Travel from £170 per person sharing

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