Ireland is a lively and vibrant destination year-round, but during St. Patrick’s Day, it transforms into something truly extraordinary. I celebrated with friends in Dublin a few years ago and it was incredible.

With St. Patrick’s Day celebrations picking up around the United States, here is what you need to know about this year’s Boston St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Tommy McCarthy’s Irish bar just outside Boston’s city limits pours more Guinness than almost anywhere in the U.S., yet come this St. Patrick's Day, the longtime owner of The Burren is stocking up on plenty of nonalcoholic options too.