The Irish in Washington, DC
The nation’s capital has long been home to a proud Irish community, with ties dating back to laborers who helped build the city and later waves of immigrants who shaped its neighborhoods. Today, Irish culture thrives through institutions like the Irish American Club and pubs such as The Dubliner near Capitol Hill and Ireland’s Four Provinces in Arlington, which serve as gathering spots for music, sport, and conversation. Each March, the city celebrates with the Washington, DC St. Patrick’s Parade along Constitution Avenue, while cultural diplomacy is strengthened through events at the Embassy of Ireland, making DC a unique crossroads of Irish heritage and national life.
Mon, March 16th
6:00 PM
The Washington, D.C. National Gala 2026 celebrates 50 years of The Ireland Funds and the enduring ties between Ireland and the United States. This sold-out event will take place at The National Building Museum, featuring a black-tie dress code.
Latest Events this week
March 12
Traditional Irish Sessions
Join our weekly gathering of local musicians playing authentic Irish tunes. Mighty craic!
Thursday1:00 AMOscar Wilde Awards
The US-Ireland Alliance has announced Golden Globe Award winning actress, Maura Tierney, as their first honoree for the Oscar Wilde Awards, which will be held 12 March 2026 at The Ebell of Los Angeles. Irish singer Dave Lofts will perform at what will be the 20th anniversary of event.
Thursday4:00 PMMarch 14
Ireland at the Wharf
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day at The Wharf on Saturday, March 14, 2026 from 1pm-7pm with a festival featuring live Irish music, Irish dancers, and more
Saturday1:00 PM
Duffy’s Irish Pub
1901 C St SE
Laid-back and lively, Duffy’s Irish Pub is where D.C. goes for proper pints, unbeatable wings, and game-day energy. Whether you’re cheering with fellow fans, catching a comedy show, or just dropping by for a casual night out, Duffy’s delivers that easygoing Irish pub vibe with a local twist.
Exiles Bar
1610 U St NW
Popular bar on U Street, popular with Irish and Irish American crowd. Irish owned bar but not Irish themed
Kelly's Irish Times
14 F St NW
Established in 1978 and located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington DC, Kelly’s Irish Times is one of the most celebrated pubs in America.
Kirwan’s on the Wharf
749 Wharf St SW
Our intention in opening Kirwan’s was to celebrate our homeland by making your experience as authentically Irish as possible. To do this, we contracted eight carpenters from Ireland who flew over with huge containers bearing all of our interior furnishings and materials. Every bar, tile, table, chair, panel and photograph you see is from Ireland. About those photographs on our walls - each one was selected and brought over by owner Mark Kirwan’s dad from The Photography Institute in Ireland. The historical subjects of horses and GAA sportsmen are particular interests of Mark’s. He takes pride in his heritage and enthusiastically shares it with everyone who walks through the doors of Kirwan’s.
Nanny O'Brien's Irish Pub
3319 Connecticut Ave NW
Cleveland Park’s Pub. Legendary Wings & Best Guinness Pour in DC.
Shenanigan’s Irish Pub
2450 18Tth St.NW
Shenanigan’s Irish Pub in Adams Morgan, Washington, DC is a lively neighborhood favorite that mixes classic Irish hospitality with the area’s vibrant nightlife. Known for its rooftop bar, hearty pub fare, and perfectly poured pints, it’s a go-to spot for live music, DJs, and big sports watch-parties. Whether you’re starting your night or settling in for craic with friends, Shenanigan’s delivers an energetic Irish welcome in the heart of Adams Morgan.
The Dubliner
4 F St NW
The Dubliner in Washington, DC, is one of the city’s most iconic Irish pubs, located just steps from Union Station. Known for its warm, wood-paneled interior and traditional Irish hospitality, it has been a gathering spot for locals, politicians, and travelers alike since 1974. Guests enjoy hearty Irish fare like shepherd’s pie and corned beef and cabbage, alongside perfectly poured pints of Guinness and an extensive whiskey selection. With live Irish music most nights, The Dubliner offers an authentic taste of Ireland in the heart of the nation’s capital.
The Harp DC
3126 12th St NE
The Harp in Brookland, where Irish charm meets Capitol hospitality! We're serving up authentic craic with a side of warm welcomes since day one. With a stellar pint of Guinness, a modern twist on authentic Irish fare, live music Wednesday nights, trad session on Thursdays, and Premier League specials, it’s the perfect spot to unwind or kick off a lively night out. Come for the craic, stay for the conversation.
The Irish Channel
500 H St NW
The Irish Channel is a family-owned business run by Tom Stack, who hails from County Cork, Ireland. Food is a priority, serving only fresh produce, fish and meat in our restaurant and buy locally grown whenever possible. There’s live entertainment Wednesday through Saturday featuring local, renowned Irish singers and musicians.
Irish Network DC (INDC)
The Irish Network DC serves as the heart of the diverse Irish and Irish-American community in Washington, D.C. We embrace all connections to Ireland and serve as a conduit to collaboration between our communities both in Ireland and the United States.
New 32 Project
The New 32 Project is a nonpartisan organization of Irish Americans and those wishing to engage in Irish culture at any level. In addition to building an authentic space for cultural connection, we work to support progressive causes on both sides of the Atlantic while working towards a United Ireland through the established protocols of the Good Friday Agreement.
Solas Nua
8633 Colesville Rd
🎉 To celebrate annoucement of the Capital Film Festival in February, we're giving away two pairs of tickets to this Sunday's screening of WHITETAIL in the AFI Silver Spring! To be in with a chance of winning, simply LIKE (that the big heart up on top-right) Solas Nua. We'll let you know if you're a winner! 💚 Solas Nua is the leading Irish contemporary arts organization in the United States, based right in Washington, DC. With a name that means “new light” in Irish, they shine a spotlight on the freshest voices in Irish theater, film, literature, music, and visual arts. From immersive performances to film screenings and poetry nights, Solas Nua delivers bold, boundary-pushing work that celebrates modern Ireland. It’s where tradition meets innovation, and Irish culture gets a vibrant, 21st-century stage. Creative, daring, and distinctly Irish.
The Ancient Order of Hibernians DC
The Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) is the oldest and largest Irish Catholic organization in the United States, with a proud history dating back to the mid-19th century. It is an Irish-American Catholic men’s fraternity, complemented by the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians (LAOH), working side by side in shared mission. The AOH is dedicated to charitable works that serve all people regardless of ethnicity, the advancement and preservation of the Catholic faith, and the celebration of Irish heritage and culture.
The Ballyshaners
The Ballyshaners, Inc. is a vibrant 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to celebrating and preserving Irish culture through its renowned St. Patrick's Day Parade in Old Town, Alexandria, VA. With a rich history dating back to 1980, the Ballyshaners bring together Irish dancing, pipe bands, and local groups to honor and promote Irish heritage.
The Irish American Club of Washington DC
Our mission is to promote, preserve and celebrate our Irish Heritage in America. Sponsoring and participating in entertainment and cultural events in the DMV through the year.
Nearby Irish Cities
Arlington’s Irish community thrives just across the river from Washington, DC, blending historic roots with a lively modern presence. The Irish Network DC connects professionals and fosters cultural ties, while the Embassy of Ireland often supports events that extend into Northern Virginia. Pubs like Ireland’s Four Courts near Courthouse and Celtic House on Columbia Pike offer authentic food, music, and camaraderie. Each March, Arlington joins the region’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, keeping Irish heritage alive in the heart of Northern Virginia.
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