Irish Themed Dinner Party for St Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day Irish dinner

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.

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

March Dinner Party Ideas

I encourage you to celebrate and entertain all year long, and since March plays host to St. Patrick’s Day, it’s a good theme to design a dinner party around.

Layer on green salad plates or vintage milk glass. Use green napkins, and water glasses too, as a nod to St. Patrick’s day and Ireland.

To complete the tablescape and keep things lively, add conversation starters to each place setting. You can print them out on green paper and use a Cricut machine or scissors to cut out circles and place under the glass plates.

Lay down a gold or copper colored table runner, and copper mule cups. Use gold flatware, and a gold vase for the centerpiece.

Speaking of centerpieces, keep it low for easy conversation flow. Instead of traditional flowers, opt for a planter box filled with green and white perennials. They can be transferred outside when the party is over, and they remind me of the lush green hills of Ireland.

Serve the food family-style on the table. Or, if there’s no room, simply place the bread and butter at the center so everyone can grab it as needed.

Themed Menu

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

Appetizers. This meal begins with a well appointed cheese and charcuterie board including wild boar charcuterie and artisanal cheeses.

For even more food ideas and recipe, check out these St. Patrick’s day party ideas for adults.

Salad. Serve this green salad with oranges. I love how the colors match the theme!

Entrée. The main entrée includes mini shepherds pies baked in individual baking dishes.

Sides. Carrots are a staple of Ireland, so make a batch of roasted carrots if you want to supplement the shepherds pie.

Bread. Bake a loaf of Irish soda bread to accompany the meal. It’s one of the easiest breads to make from scratch.

Dessert. For dessert, keep it simple with a selection of St. Patrick’s day petit fours and macarons from the bakery, or incorporate the fruit of Ireland with a mixed fruit galette. Add homemade shamrock shortbread cookies, and chocolate coins!

PARTY TIP: Add green food coloring to the shortbread cookie 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 and take home. Make the DIY favor bags by using iron-on transfer paper to print, and 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 a 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 (recipe below). You won’t believe how delicious they are even if you don’t like dark beer!

Now you’re all set to host an Irish themed dinner party for St. Patrick’s day or any time. The food is filling, the décor is fun, and the drinks are fabulous!