Saint Patrick’s day is always an almighty celebration in Dubai. Eve Dugdale speaks to residents about why it’s an important occasion

Paul Foley, Kilkenny, Ireland

“St Patrick’s Day is special because we get an unofficial day off for Lent! There are so many Irish people or people with Irish heritage and that’s why you find Irish pubs everywhere. When we emigrated hundreds of years ago we obviously missed home and that’s why so many Irish bars were set up so the community could have a home from home and because Irish people are all around the world and so are our bars we’ve managed to spread the celebration of St Patrick’s Day worldwide!”

Laura Evans, Mayo, Ireland

“I live just by Croagh Patrick (the mountain where Saint Patrick allegedly fasted for 40 days which has since become a site of pilgrimage). My town is really small and St Patrick’s Day isn’t a major deal, it’s a big deal in Dublin though.

“The big day in Croagh Patrick is the last Sunday in July when thousands of people come to climb the mountain - that’s a really great day.”

Samantha Fewtrell, English

“I have always wondered why St Patrick’s day is such a big deal and celebrated more so than any other Patron Saint days. The only conclusion I have come to is it’s all about the party (or the craic) side of it.

“Unlike English, Welsh or Scottish themed bars, Irish pubs are found all over the world therefore they can universally cash in on St Patrick’s day and give their patrons a really good excuse to be merry, wear amusing hats and dance around to the like of U2 and the Saw Doctors!”

Shane McGinley, wexford

I much prefer St Patrick’s Day in Dubai than back home.

In Dublin the streets are crowded and the place ends up trashed and full of drunk teenagers. Almost every year the next day the radio shows are full of people complaining how awful it was and newspaper columnists describing the debauchery and binge drinking.

St Patrick’s Day in Dubai is a much more civilised affair altogether. I’m going to the Irish Village as I went there last year and it was great. One thing Dubai is missing that most cities have is a Patrick’s Day march!”

Thomas Bailess, English

“I’m not Irish but I have visited Ireland on many occasions and loved it every time so I jump at the chance to revive those memories. St Patrick’s Day is a great excuse, as if one were needed, to enjoy some of the food and drink the country is famous for. I plan to indulge with a pint of Guinness, a bowl of stew and a plate of colcannon, finishing things off with a glass of Irish whiskey. Sláinte!”

Kevin O’ Driscoll,  Cork

“Ireland is a very religious country and that’s why St Patrick’s Day was always a very important occasion - now it’s just an excuse to party! It’s very important when you’re in a foreign country to mark St Patrick’s Day, for some reason it’s more important than if you’re at home in Ireland - at home we might not even bother to celebrate it!”

Jenny O’ Connell, Cork

“Because so many Irish people have left Ireland it’s important to mark St Patrick’s Day to show love for your country. When you go back to Ireland and see all the people in the streets having fun celebrating, especially on O’ Connell Street in Dublin it’s such a great sight.”

Nick McCormack, English

“We always celebrate St Patrick’s Day in England but never St George’s Day (the English Patron Saint). In the UK if you talk about celebrating St George’s Day you’re worried about upsetting people yet it’s OK to celebrate St Patrick’s Day - I don’t understand it. I wouldn’t make a special point of going out to celebrate St Patrick’s Day but I would for St George’s. We have so much history in England yet nobody recognises or celebrates it.”