Here are some of the most frequently asked questions:

Q: What do the Irish actually celebrate on St. Patrick's Day?
A: St. Patrick is the patron saint of the Republic of Ireland, and his name-day, March 17th, is a national holiday. The Irish community in the Munich area holds a parade in Munich, joining with their German friends to celebrate the Irish national holiday and the friendship between the two countries.
Q: Why isn't the parade held on March 17th, St. Patrick's Day itself?
A: There are some very practical reasons for holding the parade on the Sunday before St. Patrick's Day. The Munich city council is far more willing to grant permission for the closure of Munich's major thoroughfares and the central square of Odeonsplatz on a Sunday. In addition, far fewer spectators and visitors would have time to attend the parade on a normal weekday.
Q: When was the first St. Patrick's Day Parade held in Munich?
A:It all started in 1996 with around 300 spectators. The parade has grown steadily since then, becoming larger, livelier and more colourful, and today it's one of Europe's largest St. Patrick's Day parades - after Dublin, of course - attracting some 20,000 visitors. Visit our website to find out more ...
Q: Why does the After Parade Party finish so early, at 6 pm?
A: We naturally want to show consideration for our "neighbours" on Odeonsplatz, particularly St. Cajetan's Church. For this reason, we finish our stage show at 6 pm on the dot to avoid disturbing the evening services.
Q: What is the significance of the shamrock?
A: According to legend, St. Patrick used the three leaves of the shamrock to explain the idea of the holy trinity to Ireland's heathen. The shamrock has been a national symbol of Ireland ever since, and many Irish can be seen sporting buttonholes of shamrock leaves on St. Patrick's Day.
Q: Do other Irish events take place in the Munich area?
A: Plenty of other Irish events take place in and around Munich: music, dance, sports, literature and much more. Information can be found on the website of the Deutsch-Irischer Freundeskreis Bayern. And there is also which also has a collection of links to Celtic-related activities in the Munich area on this website.
Q: Didn't find your question?
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