Visiting UK

St. Patrick’s Day in London

St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on 17 March each year. For those looking for something to do for St. Patrick’s Day in London, here are a few St. Patrick’s Day-related events going on around the city:

St. Patrick’s Day Festival in London
The city of London hosts an annual St. Patrick’s Day Festival in March. Highlights of London’s St. Patrick’s Day Festival include a famous annual parade.

It starts in Piccadilly and ends at Trafalgar Square. Floats, bands, and performers take centre stage throughout the parade, which is one of the highlights of the day. There is also a giant dragon weaving its way through the procession.

After the parade, there is a big a cultural celebration in Trafalgar Square. Music, dancing, comedy, film, food, performances, and other entertainment will be on.

St. Patrick’s Day at Pubs in London
Many pubs around the capital will offer special drinks and food for St. Patrick’s Day in London. Most will have signs out front, or be decorated in festive bunting so that passers-by will know about the celebrations.

White Cliffs of Dover

Dover, England is perhaps best known for its famous cliffs. The White Cliffs of Dover get their unique color from the chalk that comprises much of their substance.

The cliffs have become famous over the years as a symbol of England for people crossing the English Channel from France. They also have significance as a symbolic barrier against enemy invasion.

Tours of the White Cliffs of Dover are possible by boat from Dover’s port. Boats leave several times a day and run along the coast, offering great views of the cliffs from the English Channel.

The White Cliffs of Dover are also viewable from land. From below, you can see them from Dover’s port, while from above they can be spotted from the area near Dover Castle.

Dover’s cliffs have been the inspiration for much lyrical verse over the years. Perhaps the most famous tribute to the chalky Dover coastline is from the World War II song by Vera Lynn, “There’ll Be Bluebirds Over The White Cliffs of Dover”.

Getting to the White Cliffs of Dover by train from London is easy. It is also possible to get to Dover by ferry from Calais in France.

Trains from Belfast to Dublin

Belfast Central Station in Northern Ireland

Sign for Belfast Central Station

Trains from Belfast to Dublin are a great way to travel from Northern Ireland in the UK to the capital of the Republic of Ireland.

Trains between the two countries run regularly from Belfast Central train station to Dublin Connolly train station. The service is jointly operated by Iarnrod Eireann and Northern Ireland Railways.

Trains from Belfast to Dublin are InterCity trains called De Dietrich “Enterprise” trains. They are comfortable and relatively fast.

Trains leave Belfast Central train station for Dublin Connolly station every even hour between 6:00 and 20:00. Departures take place at 00, 10, 35 or 50 minutes past the hour. All trains that travel between the two cities are direct and don’t require connections.

The travel time from Belfast to Dublin is between 2 hours, and 2 hours, 14 minutes. The journey time is dependent on which train you take.

The cost of a single train ticket to Dublin is 10 to 20 euros for standard class. Like the travel time, the price depends on which departure you choose. Discounted train tickets are available for students and children on this route.

NB: While Belfast is in Northern Ireland, which is part of the UK, Dublin is in the Republic of Ireland. When taking the train from Belfast to Dublin, make sure to have the appropriate travel documents with you if you need them.