PHOTOS, VIDEO: St Patrick’s Day celebrated in Budapest

St Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, and the Irish celebrate him every year. After three years of the COVID pause, celebrations returned to Budapest today. Here is our photo report.

Irish people celebrate St Patrick’s Day everywhere in the world in a very spectacular way. Everybody is dressed in green or wears shamrocks, listens to Irish traditional music (céilithe), and takes part in processions, parades and festivals.

Budapest hosted St Patrick’s Day today in the afternoon, between 1 PM and 5 PM. The gathering was at Szabadság Square, where kids could play games and grown-ups were able to mingle with the Irish in Hungary or even drink a Guinness. The parade started at 3 PM from Szabadság Square towards the Hungarian Parliament. Partakers then returned to Szabadság Square via Széchenyi rakpart- Széchenyi Square -Szent István Bazilika.

Photo: DNH

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Many people came, residents and tourists of Budapest and, of course, members of the Irish community and friends of Ireland. There was plenty of entertainment on offer: Irish music and dancers, face painting, and Gaelic games. Visitors could refresh themselves with food and drink specialities.

Photo: DNH

Patrick (385 – 461) was a 5th-century Romano-British Christian missionary and bishop in Ireland, who died on 17 March. He was later canonised as a saint, became the patron saint of Ireland and, in his honour, was made a day of death, the national holiday of the Irish.

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Source: DNH