How to Have an Irish Themed Party

The Irresistible Pull of Ireland

Irish culture is one that people worldwide love and enjoy. From Costa Rica to Serbia, the popularity of Irish dancing venues and Irish pubs pays tribute to this country’s universal appeal. You’ll find no less enthusiasm when you host your own Irish themed party. It’s a fun and festive way to celebrate the ways of Ireland in your home, no matter where you live!

Some common traits attributed to Ireland are its incredible amount of history; good food that provides delicious sustenance and comfort; and a beautiful and serene countryside where, as my brother says, you can climb a mountain and see farmlands, a small town, beaches, and woodlands all in one panoramic view. Ireland’s also known for its peacefulness and for the people’s incredible hospitality and friendliness. It’s easy to hitchhike and new friends often offer their home to travelers. While traveling there, my dad noticed that Ireland’s pace of life seems slower, and people seem less anxious.

A young woman smiles while standing on the side of the rode with her thumb out to hitchhike — Photo by Brookev Cagle

Parties are all about taking a break from everybody’s daily grind to enjoy one another and the beauty of life. This is the true spirit of an Irish themed party. So wear your green, white, and orange and get ready to gather your friends for a lively time, Irish-style!

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means I may earn commission if you click through the link and finalize a qualifying purchase. This does not affect the price in any way.

How to Throw an Irish Themed Party

1. Create the Scene with Irish Themed Party decorations

Irish flag-coloured bunting, fitting decor for an Irish themed party, is strung across the ally alongside patio light strands outside of Temple Bar in Dublin — Photo by Anna Church

The country of Ireland has become synonymous with the colour green, thanks to its lush green landscape from a mild and rainy climate. But when it comes to decorating, the Irish traditionally use lots of natural materials and earthy colours. Mossy greens, woody browns, stones, slate blue, and other such muted cloudy/grassy hues. The Irish flag and its colours is, of course, another sure way to turn your home Irish. Here is some handsome Irish-themed décor, as well as festive flag decorations:

2. Fix Irish Food and Bevvies

Close-up photo of sea bass dish served at Flanagan’s Pub, Brickens, Claremorris, County Mayo, Ireland. topped with sprigs of spring greens/herbs, the sea bass is served over what looks like bangers and mash — Photo by Patrick Browne

Nothing will bless your Irish themed party guests quite like the taste of Ireland. Traditional Irish fare is hearty and delicious, with plenty of potatoes (find recipes in the list below). Serve Irish drinks like Guinness, Jameson, coffee or Irish breakfast tea (including water-decaffeinated versions), and Tanora (Irish tangerine soda). Tell your friends this isn’t the time to diet: it’s time to try it! Get started with these recipes:

3. Play Irish Music

A woman in a beige cardigan plays a fiddler outdoors — Photo by Clem Onojeghuo

Most people think of traditional folk music when they think of Irish music. The region has a strong music history that is just as invigorating today as it ever was. But of course there are other genres from local artists as well. So while the focus here is Irish music, know there is much more musical diversity beyond what’s listed. Here are some fun Irish music videos/bands to get you started on planning your playlist:

4. Add Ireland-Inspired Scents

Wide shot photo of people walking along a dirt path over green cliffs of Ireland overlooking the sea. The lush Irish landscape inspires plenty of green decor for an Irish themed party — Photo by Fernanda Publio

We covered the sights, the flavors, and the music of Ireland. Now, consider the scents! To truly immerse your guests in the Emerald Isle, light any of these evocative scented candles:

5. Plan Irish Themed Party Games

Irish themed party libation: a bottle of O'Shea's Traditional Irish Ale in Doolin, County Clare, Ireland — Photo by Mick Haupt

Time for fun and games! If any guests haven’t yet shaken off their stress and troubles, break out any of these Irish party card decks:

Exploring Ireland card deck (family friendly)
The Confession Box Irish drinking card game (adult)
Irish slang playing cards

Or print out one of these downloadable games to test everyone’s Irish trivia and quick wit:

Live Music

Games are plenty o’ fun but the best way to enjoy an Irish themed party is with live music. If you or another guest can play guitar, fiddle, or accordion, among other instruments, your Irish themed party can be their opportunity to shine! A musician friend of mine has traveled the world but loves Ireland the most because the music is a regular part of people’s lives, and not a thing apart from it. Including live music is in perfect Irish spirit.

Verdant green coastal landscape photo of the Northern Irish Coast and the Glens of Antrim from atop Fair Head (Fair Head, Ballycastle, Northern Ireland, UK) — Photos by K. Mitch Hodge and Jordan Harrison

A man plays guitar against an exterior stone wall at Merchant's Arch, Temple Bar, Dublin — Photos by K. Mitch Hodge and Jordan Harrison

Storytelling

Storytelling is another great pastime to engage guests at an Irish party. It’s fun because everybody knows at least one interesting or weird story to enthrall everyone else, who learns things they’d never thought of! My friend’s Irish grandfather explained to her that the Irish either have the gift of the gab or the curse of the drink. While there are also plenty for whom the drink can be a moderately enjoyed treat (and not a curse), there are certainly plenty who enjoy the gift of the gab – which can make for some great stories!

6. Establish Guest Participation

Guest participation is optional and involves how you’d like your guests to participate or contribute to your Irish party. You could make it an Irish potluck and invite them to bring an Irish-inspired dish to share. And/or you could make it BYOB. You could invite guests to wear green – or the flag colours of green, white and orange. Whatever you choose, just make sure you communicate any participation requests up front when you initially invite people.

Three smiling young men hold Guinnesses in tall beer glasses. One wears an Irish flag draped over his shoulder as well as an Irish cap, one wears a green bowling hat with a shamrock, and one wears a green and white chequered shirt - festive attire for an Irish themed party — Photo by Pressmaster

Of course, always choose your guests mindfully and with their interests in mind. Prioritize friends who you know would most enjoy an Irish themed party. But don’t shy away from others who may not know much about Irish culture. You never know, you may turn someone on to it!

Checklist of Items You Need

Now that we’ve covered what you’ll need to do for an Irish themed party, here is a list of all the tangible items you may need to acquire for it:

Irish themed party decorations
Irish food and beverages
Irish music
Ireland-inspired scented candles
Irish themed party games

Outside an Irish hostel are Ireland direction signs in Gaelic and English — Photo by Fernanda Publio

Preparation Checklist for Your Irish Themed Party

Most of these steps for party preparation apply to any type of party you host. So while we covered Irish-specific details and ideas above, below are basic party planning guidelines to neatly order each step of the process (you can find more thorough details in the Best Party Practices posts):

1. First, confirm that people can come on any chosen date

Choose party date/time, and preferably alternative date(s) as well
Choose guest list and establish minimum number of guests you’d like (to make it worth your effort)
Six weeks out, confirm guests’ interest in the party and availability on chosen party date(s). The only details you’ll need to share at this time include what type of party it will be (Irish-themed); any requested participation (i.e. potluck, etc.); party date and general time of day (i.e. ‘afternoon’); and where (your address, or other location if applicable)
This first step is just to get people to confirm that, barring unforeseen circumstances, they are able and willing to attend and will save the date to do so. If your preferred minimum number of guests confirm interest and availability, have them secure the calendar date for your awesome Irish party!

Photo of Dublin Castle — Photo by Shopify Photos

2. Then, proceed with the fun planning

Once you have your Irish party date established, you first need to get out your calendar and map out when you plan to do every step of preparation. This means you schedule time for each preparation activity that you’ll need to do. If you don’t schedule time on your calendar early enough, you may find yourself overwhelmed and unprepared the day of the party. Don’t do that to yourself! Check out the How to Be a Good Party Host post for more clarification on exactly what you can do to be confident, prepared, and ahead of the game. Party planning isn’t rocket science, but it naturally requires some thought and effort (which people notice). Here’s a general overview of what you can expect to do leading up to the party:

First, sit down and schedule time on your calendar for each step of party prep as listed below
Create invitations with all the details and send them out 4 weeks before the party
Order any party supplies and decorations 3 weeks out (so they arrive in time to set up)
Shop for any party supplies/decorations you don’t order online, as well as non-perishable food/drinks
DIY any party supplies and decorations
Acquire perishable food/drinks early enough in advance to prepare in time
Set up decorations
Prepare food/drinks (depending on how long things keep)

Close-up photo of green clovers — Photo by Autumn Martin

3. Day of Party

It’s very important to get as much party prep done far enough in advance that you have some time to yourself to relax come party day, especially if you’ve been busy. So be sure to plan your day-of-party preparations early enough to have that time and space to yourself as well. Within those amply planned/set-aside time slots, you can expect to do these preparations during the day of your party:

Complete any last-minute food/drink prep that are too fresh to do any earlier
Set up any quick/easy last-minute supplies and decorations (if not up already)
Prepare ambience (music, candles)
Get dressed in your favourite Irish outfit
Once everything’s ready, take the time to do any preferred self-care activities that get you in a good head space if you aren’t already. This is in your own and everybody else’s best interest (they’ll pick up on your contagiously good vibe)! You want to be a relaxed, energized, and happy host 😊

Idyllic scene of lush green hills and pastureland with old stone structures: the ruins of an abandoned farmhouse atop Fair Head in the Glens of Antrim, at Fair Head, Ballycastle, Northern Ireland, UK — Photo by K. Mitch Hodge

All Set to Host a Memorable Irish Themed Party

Every part of the party planning process is meant to be enjoyable – from planning the menu to putting up decorations. You’ll be a good host by putting thought and care into party preparation while also keeping a flexible approach that allows grace for unexpected surprises. At the end of the day, the goal is for you and your guests to have a good time – even if that looks different than you envisioned. So enjoy the process, and sláinte!