“There is more to St. Patrick’s Day than plastic hats and shamrock shades”
March 2023 – EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum is asking people to delve deeper this St. Patrick’s Day and explore what it really means to be Irish.
Since EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum first opened in 2016, they have worked hard to challenge stereotypes attached to Ireland and its people. And these stereotypes are never more alive and well than on St. Patrick’s Day.
In a visually striking new campaign, EPIC have curated a selection of images which contrast modern-day St. Patrick’s Day accessories with historical images of Irish people. The campaign isn’t about raining on anyone’s parade, but encouraging visitors and locals alike to dig a little bit deeper and discover what it truly means to be Irish, and how that meaning is forever tied to the people who have left these shores.
EPIC believes that St Patrick’s Day is about more than just wearing plastic hats, painting your face green and donning shamrock shades, it’s about celebrating the rich heritage and culture of people in Ireland and our impact all over the world – whether that’s through our language, our literature, our art, our music, our dancing, our sense of humour or our politics.
Aileesh Carew, CEO of EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, said, “This St. Patrick’s Day people all over the world will join us as we celebrate our country and our culture. Whilst we encourage people to celebrate this very special day, we are also challenging people to look beyond the stereotypes and delve a bit deeper into what it really means to be Irish.”
Nathan Mannion, Head of Exhibitions and Programmes at EPIC, said, “Throughout the year we curate a huge number of tours, exhibitions, and events to help our visitors to learn more about our history, our culture, and, most importantly, our people. EPIC is home to the stories of over 300 people who either left Ireland or are descended from Irish emigrants. Each and every one of them has left a lasting impact on the world.”
“This St. Patrick’s Day we invite people to come to the museum and discover the many ways our cultural traditions have evolved over time and changed both Ireland and the wider world.”
EPIC will host a number of exciting events over the course of the St. Patrick’s Day festival, including ‘Together We Grow’, an exciting exhibition celebrating the growth of Ireland’s vibrant and diverse cultures. Taking place in the CHQ building on the 18th and 19th of March, from 12pm to 5pm, the exhibition will bring together 14 artists from diverse backgrounds who will shine a light on Ireland’s vibrant multitude of cultures, promoting and representing inclusion in the Irish Art industry. Find out more here.
To view the full schedule of St. Patrick’s Day events taking place at EPIC, click here.
Visit https://epicchq.com/ for more information or search #EPICmuseum on your chosen social platform.
Babóg Beag: St. Patrick’s Day
BOOK: https://epicchq.com/event/babog-beag/
- DATE: 14th March 2023
- TIME: 00am – 10.45am
- COST: €15.00 (includes 1 adult and 1 child)
Feel. Smell. Touch. Imagine. Create. Sing! Come along and explore all the sounds, smells and sights of Ireland, discovering how the famous St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated here in Ireland and abroad, in this sensory storytelling class for babies under one year old.
Are you and your little ones ready for some St. Patrick’s Day fun? Join Emma the Leprechaun on an exciting adventure where your child will experience the magic of this incredible Irish holiday.
Using a range of sensory activities, your child will get to explore the sights, smells, and sounds of St. Patrick’s Day. Get ready to sing along to some traditional Irish tunes and get up close and personal with shamrocks, the iconic symbol of this beloved holiday.
And what’s St. Patrick’s Day without some delicious traditional Irish foods? Your little ones will get to taste some classic dishes and snacks that are sure to delight their taste buds. And as they explore the surroundings, they’ll be on the lookout for everything green, the traditional St. Patrick’s Day colour! But that’s not all – your little ones will also get to create their very own finger painting, inspired by St. Patrick’s Day, to take home and show off to family and friends.
Babóg Beag sessions are perfect for babies in the early stages of development who need additional help with tasks and cannot move about without assistance. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity for your child to experience the magic of St. Patrick’s Day with Emma the Leprechaun! Each ticket is for 1 child, and includes a space for up to 1 adult to accompany them. If additional spaces are required, please book additional tickets (per child), or book an EPIC general entry ticket for an additional adult. Check in for this event is at the EPIC reception desk.
Tiny Tots: St. Patrick’s Day Around the World!
BOOK: https://epicchq.com/event/tiny-tots-st-patricks-day-around-the-world/
- DATE: 19th March 2023
- TIME: 11 am – 12 pm
- AGE: All 3 – 6 years
- COST: €15 (includes 1 adult and 1 child)
Get ready for a St. Patrick’s weekend adventure like no other! Join us on an exciting sensory storytelling journey where we’ll explore what it truly means to be Irish.
Discover the fascinating history behind St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Ireland and around the world as we debunk popular myths and uncover the true meaning of this beloved holiday.
But that’s not all – we’ll also travel the globe and visit countries where St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated, learning about their unique traditions and what being Irish means to them. Your little ones will love the drawing and counting challenges, singing songs, and creating amazing artwork as they immerse themselves in the culture of Ireland.
This workshop is perfect for Tiny Tots aged 3-6 years old, and it’s guaranteed to be a fun and engaging experience for the whole family. So don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to explore the magic of St. Patrick’s Day and discover what it truly means to be Irish. Come join us on a sensory storytelling adventure that’s sure to be an unforgettable experience!
Each ticket is for 1 child, and includes a space for up to 1 adult to accompany them. If additional spaces are required, please book additional tickets (per child), or book an EPIC general entry ticket for an additional adult. Check in for this event is at the EPIC reception desk.
Explorers – Reinventing St. Patrick’s Day!
BOOK: https://epicchq.com/event/explorers-reinventing-st-patricks-day/
- DATE: 19th March 2023
- TIME: 30pm – 3.30pm
- AGE: 7 – 12 years
- COST: €15 (includes 1 adult and 1 child)
Did you know that St. Patrick’s colour was blue, not green? Or that the shamrock was actually an ancient Irish Celtic symbol?
Are you tired of the same old St. Patrick’s Day stereotypes? Join us for an exciting Explorers workshop that’s perfect for children aged 7-12 years old, where we’ll debunk all those myths and uncover what it truly means to be Irish.
Get ready to move past the stereotypical green plastic hats and feather boas and dive deep into the heart of modern-day Ireland. We’ll explore what it’s like to live in Ireland today and discover what being Irish means to those both at home and abroad.
Together, we’ll create a brand new St. Patrick’s Day celebration that accurately depicts what it means to be Irish in today’s world. Your child will have a blast designing artwork and advertisements that showcase this new vision, and they’ll learn how to portray Ireland in a more accurate and meaningful way during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
This workshop is the perfect opportunity for your child to unleash their creativity and imagination while learning more about the true essence of Ireland. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to explore what it truly means to be Irish on St. Patrick’s Day. Join us and let’s create a new and more meaningful vision together!
Each ticket is for 1 child, and includes a space for up to 1 adult to accompany them. If additional spaces are required, please book additional tickets (per child), or book an EPIC general entry ticket for an additional adult. Check in for this event is at the EPIC reception desk.
Exhibition: Together We Grow
BOOK: https://epicchq.com/event/together-we-grow/
- DATE: 18th and 19th March 2023
- TIME: 12pm – 5pm
- COST: Free
An exhibition celebrating the growth of Ireland’s vibrant and diverse cultures. In collaboration with the New Communities Partnership (NCP) and The Green Roots Project, we’re delighted to invite you to an exhibition of visual art celebrating the continued growth of a diverse and multicultural Ireland. This exhibition takes place over St. Patrick’s weekend in the CHQ building on the 18th and 19th of March, from 12pm to 5pm.
Are you ready for an incredible weekend of art, culture, and inclusion? Join us for a fantastic exhibition that brings together 14 artists from diverse backgrounds who will showcase the vibrant cultures that make Ireland such a special place.
From painters to printmakers, street artists to glassworkers, our exciting lineup of artists includes Kate Power, Shane Ha, Kerry Ann Gorman, and Niall. ol, Helen O’Sullivan and many more! You’ll be amazed at the incredible talent and creativity that’s on display in this exhibition, which celebrates the power of inclusion in the Irish Art industry.
But that’s not all – as part of The Green Roots Project, you’ll also have the chance to explore what it means to be Irish, with workshops and performances that are designed to engage your senses and your imagination. And don’t miss the opportunity to see an exhibition featuring work by primary school students from across the country, who participated in the Grow Your Green Cloak campaign.
So over St. Patrick’s weekend, we invite you to get back to your roots and consider what being green means. Join our campaign to celebrate all things Irish by DOING something green!
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to experience the power of art, culture, and inclusion. Join us and discover what it truly means to be Irish in today’s world!
https://gowildmagazine.com/huge-st-patricks-day-festival-planned-for-dublin/
