More than 850,000 passengers are expected to travel through Dublin Airport during the St Patrick’s Festival period. Between 10 March and 18 March around 433,000 passengers are set to arrive with around 418,000 departing.
Cork Airport will offer live traditional music and festive atmosphere for visitors as more than 53,000 passengers over the weekend in 2026. Friday 13 March stands as the peak day for arrivals boosted by Cheltenham Festival travel. Ryanair has added extra services to Birmingham to meet demand.
Shannon Airport expects 40,000 passengers over the St Patrick’s Day period in 2026 a 7pc increase from the previous year. Extra flights include Ryanair services to Birmingham for returning Cheltenham Festival travellers. The terminal will light up green as part of the global greening initiative.
Busiest days in Dublin are forecast as Friday 13 March and Sunday 15 March with around 116,000 passengers on each day.nThousands of horse racing fans return from Cheltenham Festival while up to 10,000 rugby fans are due to arrive for Ireland versus Scotland match. Passengers are advised to allow two hours before short-haul flights and three hours before long-haul flights.
Niall MacCarthy MD of Cork airport shared “Saint Patrick’s Day branding resonates globally and draws visitors from the United Kingdom Europe and further afield to join parades cultural events and family gatherings“
Niall Kearns Director of Shanon Airport shared “Saintt Patrick’s Day is a special occasion that traditionally signals the kick off of the tourism season for the Mid West region and the Wild Atlantic Way”
Graeme McQueen of Dublin airport shared “This is always one of the best weeks of the year at Dublin Airport as the Cheltenham Festival, quickly followed by the St Patrick’s Festival, combine to create a great buzz in our terminals. The fact we have the Scottish rugby fans travelling over in the middle of it all, with both countries still in with a chance of winning the Six Nations championship, means this year is going to be extra special.”
“If that wasn’t enough, Mother’s Day is this Sunday, so we’re also going to be seeing lots of heart-warming family reunions over the coming days, while many Ireland residents will also take advantage of the bank holiday to jet off for a city break or for some spring sunshine overseas.”
“We have a great programme of entertainment lined up in our Arrivals Halls to ensure an extra special welcome for overseas visitors, including face painting, music acts, Irish dancing groups and stilt walkers. The airport is going to be busy, but we love this time of year, and our teams are ready to do all they can to send every passenger off with a smile on their face.”
