Irish themed dinner party for St Patrick’s Day

See how to host an Irish themed dinner party with an easy menu and pretty tablescape. This classy take on Irish traditions is fun for St Patrick’s day or beyond. Get these simple recipes and themed dinner party ideas for entertaining at home.

Irish themed dinner party

This St. Patrick’s day party puts style ahead of kitsch. Using the color green as the starting point, I’ve incorporated gold and copper accents, a delicious Irish inspired menu, and lots of special details to carry out the theme on a gorgeous and classy St. Patrick’s day tablescape!

And it’s not just for the holiday. This Irish themed dinner party is perfect to host all year long with friends or family. Just follow this guide for all the inspiration, dinner party menu ideas, and recipes you need.

March Dinner Party Ideas

This year I’ve been on a mission to create fun and inspiring dinner parties to encourage you to celebrate and entertain at home. Since March plays host to St. Patrick’s Day, I thought it would be a good idea to design a party and Irish theme dinner menu around that.

This party uses the colors green, gold, and copper to create a lovely and inviting Irish themed tablescape. The menu includes traditional Irish fare, some delicious cocktails, and simple sweets for a completely satisfying meal. See how to pull it together below.

Classy tablescape for St Patrick’s Day 

Set the table with green and gold. Add copper colored accents and serve food family style.

• The table setting consists of my usual mix of old and new. I love using these old dinner plates with the gold filigree edging. Even though the rim detail is “fancy” they actually add a casual air to the table because they’re vintage. Layering with green glass plates, green napkins, and green water glasses reinforces the St Patrick’s day theme of “green.”
• Gold and copper are brought in with the table runner, mule cups to hold a bottle of Guinness beer {of course}, flatware, and the planter centerpiece.
• Speaking of centerpieces, keeping it low is important for easy conversation flow. Put a twist on the floral arrangement by displaying green and white perennials that can be transferred outside when the party is over. These remind me of the lush green plains of Ireland.
• To complete the tablescape and keep things lively, add conversation starters to each place setting. For these, I used my Cricut machine to get the round shape to place under the glass plates, but you could certainly print the questions and cut by hand.

Irish theme dinner party menu

This is one dinner party that won’t break the bank. Traditional Irish recipes are known for using staple ingredients and budget friendly items. The dishes are also hearty and filling!

1. STARTERS: This meal begins with a well appointed cheese board including wild boar charcuterie and artisinal cheeses.
2. BREAD: Bake a loaf of Irish soda bread to accompany it, and to go with the meal.
3. ENTREE: The main entree includes mini shepherds pies and
4. SALAD: Serve this green salad with oranges. I love how the colors match the theme!
5. DESSERT: For dessert, keep it simple with a selection of  St Patrick’s day petit fours and macarons from the bakery. Add homemade shamrock shortbread cookies, and chocolate coins!

PARTY TIP: When making the shortbread cookies, add green food coloring to the dough and use a shamrock shaped cookie cutter to make themed cookies.

Party Favors

Make enough shamrock cookies so guests can take some home as party favors.

Use small muslin drawstring bags to place the cookies in. Make diy themed bags by using iron-on transfer paper to print & iron on a cute saying onto the bags.

Irish Theme Cocktails

Every good party needs cocktails, right! Set up a mini bar and serve a few different options.

• A good quality Irish Whiskey on the rocks will hit the spot.
• Mix up my St. Patrick’s day cocktail called the Green Leprechaun and make it the signature drink for the party.
• Or, get really festive with this champagne and Midori drink recipe.
• Serve up a special dessert cocktail by making these Guinness beer floats. You won’t believe how delicious they are…and I don’t even like dark beer!

Guinness Beer Ice Cream Float

• 3 scoops vanilla ice cream
• 3/4 ounce Bailey’s Irish Cream
• 10 ounces Guinness beer
• Dark chocolate syrup

Add ice cream to tall glass; pour in Irish Cream and top with beer. slowly.

Drizzle with chocolate syrup and enjoy with a straw.