I was born and raised in Ireland, so I consider myself an expert when it comes to all things Irish. And what’s more Irish than St. Patrick’s Day? The Emerald Isle’s national holiday is celebrated all over the world with parades, music, dancing and general merriment.
Seeing Americans embrace my country’s national holiday every March 17 truly warms my heart — but there are two very important things you need to know if you really want to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day like a pro. First, no one under the age of 90 actually says, “Top of the mornin’ to ya,” so please, please don’t say it. Second and most importantly, it’s St. Patrick’s Day or St. Paddy’s Day. It is not and never will be St. Patty’s Day.
With those two things in mind, here are my top picks for everything you need to have a St. Patrick’s Day full of “craic and ceol” — that means good times and music in Gaelic.
St. Patrick’s Day clothing
Did you know that Ireland has some of the best golf courses in the world? Play a few rounds in the morning and then go to the pub in style with these shamrock golf pants.
Irish, but make it Hawaiian. Don’t scrimp on style with this fashionable shirt that you can wear all year round both on and off the beach — and the subtle print doesn’t scream St. Paddy’s Day.
I am the proud owner of this sweater and wear it all year — you can probably tell I’m very proud of being Irish! I wear this to the gym, during Ireland rugby games, around the house and, of course, on St. Patrick’s Day. Added bonus, it’s super soft and cozy.
This will add a touch of sparkle to your St. Patrick’s day celebrations so you can still get into the spirit of the festivities without sacrificing style.
I’m usually very anti-leprechaun in general and especially so on March 17, but this Wee Baby Leprechaun Tee is adorable and hilarious in equal measure.
St. Patrick’s Day accessories
I love this and just bought it for this year’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration. I’m probably a little too old for the shamrocks bobbing on springs, so this crown headband is a wee bit classier.
Disney, but make it Irish! These adorable Mickey Mouse pot-of-gold earrings include all the colors of the Irish flag with a touch of sparkle to add some glam.
I’m in love with these earrings. They’re not exactly St. Patrick’s Day per se, but the clover theme makes them right on-brand. Sophisticated, stylish and Irish enough to not look out of place.
May the luck of the Irish (which is a real thing, unlike leprechauns) be with you when you wear these clover cufflinks for St. Patrick’s Day and beyond.
If you really want to show off your Irish heritage, then these cufflinks are the way to do it. The coins are the old Irish currency before the euro was introduced, so these are both cultural and classy.
If you prefer your St. Patrick’s Day garb a little more subtle, this stylish scarf will do the trick and can be worn on March 17 and beyond.
As with the scarf, this is a little less in-your-face if you want to show your support for Ireland all year around. It’s available in both black and green and has UV protection in case you’re out watching the parade.
Decorations
I bring this out every year at the beginning of March to really get into the festive spirit and remind myself that spring (and St. Patrick’s Day) is right around the corner. I wouldn’t usually go for a plastic wreath, but this one is subtle, classy and perfect for the occasion.
If you’re having a St. Patrick’s Day gathering, this party pack is cheap and cheerful. Featuring strings of shamrocks, paper fans, pompoms and banners, this is just the thing you need to celebrate with your nearest and dearest.
If cheap and cheerful isn’t your thing, then these more subtle decorations will do the trick. The green, white and gold balloons and fringe curtain make for a great photo backdrop.
This table runner screams spring to me. Another festive product to add to your arsenal of St. Patrick’s Day merch that you can use again and again.
Alcohol for St. Patrick’s Day and beyond
If you are that way inclined, St. Patrick’s Day isn’t complete without some Irish whiskey, and there are countless to choose from. This recently launched triple-distilled spirit bills itself as an “Irish whiskey with an American accent” due to the fact it has been finished in American oak barrels.
March 17 has become as synonymous with Guinness as hot dogs are with July 4, and it’s traditional to toast to St. Patrick himself with a pint of the black stuff (as we call it).
If you still want to get into the spirit but aren’t a drinker, Guinness released an alcohol-free version that tastes pretty close to the real thing — same smooth, creamy taste, complete with its signature head.
If you are going to drink Guinness, please do so in a proper Guinness glass. I promise you this is not a gimmick; the glass’s contoured shape was designed to enable the nitrogen bubbles to cascade to the surface to give the pint that creamy head.
An oldie but goodie, this spin on an old favorite is aged for up to 16 years, making it rich, smooth and higher in ABV. Indulge with caution!