St. Patrick’s Day in the Algarve
St Patrick’s Day, celebrating the patron saint of Ireland is one of the biggest party days of the year. It is a traditionally cold and wet (but fun) affair in Ireland. However, you don’t have to be Irish or in Ireland to enjoy St. Patrick’s Day. Spend the 17th March in the Algarve and the chances are, you’ll have a sunny St. Patrick’s Day!
The Golden Triangle of Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo and Vilamoura, has long been a favourite area with visitors of all nationalities. On St. Patricks Day, everyone is Irish and there are parties all across the Algarve to prove it.
Irish owned Quinta do Lago embraces it’s Irishness on the 17th March with a great party at The Shack Bar, which is right on the lake. With a fabulously relaxed, yet chic vibe, The Shack is one of the most popular spots in the area for fun, day or night. Food is served, drinks flow and music plays. All by the ocean. What more could you want? A discount in Guinness? Rumour has it, there is 50% off pints of the black stuff all day on St. Patrick's Day!
For a real Irish St. Patricks day, visit the brand new Irish bar at Quinta Shopping. What used to be de Barra’s is re-opening as The Cheeky Pup. Part owned by some well know rugby names, The Cheeky Pup is Irish owned and run, and will no doubt continue to attract as many celebrities as ever. Irish bars are generally considered to be a sure bet for a fun evening, with free flowing drinks, bartenders with banter and of course, a generous measure of “craic”.
The rich and famous do enjoy the Algarve and it is not at all uncommon to spot sporting heroes such as Rory McIlroy, Wayne Rooney or Steven Gerrard in the area. Celebrities like Ant and Dec are regular visitors, as is Niall Horan, all enjoying the great lifestyle that the Algarve offers.
St. Patrick’s Day 2017 falls on the last weekend of the Rugby Six Nations tournament, which looks like it’s going down to the wire. Should add a little spice to the parties!
It’s not just on St. Patrick’s Day that the Algarve has an Irish flavour. Quinta do Lago, the Algarve’s iconic luxury resort and part of Dennis O’Brien’s empire, proudly uses Irish beef at its signature steakhouse restaurant Bovino, and Paul McGinley, European Ryder Cup Captain 2014, is Quinta do Lago’s golf academy partner, offering coaching and golf holidays.
There is a strong connection between the Irish and the Algarve. It’s more than just a love of sunshine. As two smaller nations on the fringes of Europe, Portugal and Ireland both punch above their weight in the quality of life stakes. They share a love of natural beauty, time spent with family, good food and a few drinks among friends. However, the 300 days of sunshine per year in the Algarve mean that more Irish people holiday in the Algarve, than Portuguese people holiday in Dublin.
