Wondering where to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in the UAE? We did the research for you. Here’s what’s happening:
For the biggest St. Patrick's Day party in the country, get over to the closest McGettigan's on March 17. McGettigan's JLT, McGettigan's in Dubai World Trade Centre and McGettigan's in Abu Dhabi are going all out for the Irish celebration.
In JLT, they’re flying in two headline acts from Ireland: Louis Walsh’s newest Irish boy band Hometown and Hermitage Green. Mike Ross, Schizophonik and traditional Irish dancers will also be on hand to entertain.
In McGettigan’s DWTC, Irishman Scott Maher, The Gentlemen Barstewards and a live DJ will provide the entertainment.
In McGettigan’s Abu Dhabi, it’s the Irish band, Gate Crashers, along with the resident band The Distillers and a live DJ.
There will also be Irish brunches at all three venues on Friday along with Rugby parties across the venues on Saturday. For more information on the McGettigan’s events, call 04 378 0800.
PJ O'Reiley's at Le Royal Meridien Abu Dhabi will celebrate St. Patrick's Day over two days. On March 17, from 7pm until late, you'll get traditional Irish food, fun giveaways and live entertainment with free entry all night.
On March 18, don’t miss the St. Patrick’s Day brunch with live barbecue stations and a buffet of signature Irish dishes such as Irish stew; Dublin steak and kidney pie; bangers and champ and more.
The kids’ area includes a bouncy castle, face-painting station, games and more. There will also be Irish music and dancers along with live entertainment from Paddyman and his Irish band. March 18 from 1pm to 4pm. Dh200, inclusive of select drinks. Free for kids under age 5. 02 674 2020
Fibber Magee's in Dubai is celebrating St. Patrick's Day all weekend long. Festivities kick off on Wednesday with a live band playing Irish music from 9:30 onward. On Thursday, you'll get Irish drink specials from 4pm to midnight; live entertainment and Irish dancing. Head over on Friday morning for a traditional Irish breakfast, with live entertainment from 10pm onward. And the live entertainment continues on Saturday from 2pm to 4:30pm with Six Nations rugby from 5:30pm. 04 332 2400
Mövenpick Hotel Ibn Battuta Gate has a St. Patrick's Day brunch in Al Bahou on Friday. Along with the usual Al Bahou brunch fare, chefs will serve up a range of Irish dishes including potato boxty (traditional Irish pancakes) with sour cream and chives; mustard champ (a traditional Irish potato dish) with sausages and gravy; bread and butter pudding and Irish coffee cupcakes.
There will be a green-themed best-dressed competition as well as a raffle draw for a change to win an array of prizes. There’s also live entertainment and a kids’ zone with a play area, bouncy castle and face painting. Friday, March 18, 12:30pm to 4pm, Dh295; Dh145 for kids ages seven to 12; free under age six. 04 444 5613
Cooper's bar and restaurant at the Park Rotana Abu Dhabi will celebrate St. Patrick's Day with specially priced beverages all day. Guests, of course, are encouraged to dress in green. March 17, from 6pm onward. 02 657 3333.
Claw BBQ in Souk Al Bahar, Dubai, will host a green-themed St. Patrick's Day party on March 17. Expect green drinks, green food and Irish-themed décor along with Gaelic music mixed in with the restaurant's regular playlist. Food highlights include Irish rarebit and soda bread; braised lamb shank with colcannon; and leprechaun's hat S'mores. There will also be buy one, get one free Irish coffees. Come dressed in green — best dressed will be rewarded. From 6pm onward. 04 432 2300
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The Sportsman's Arms in Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi will celebrate its Irish roots on St. Patrick's Day. Expect Irish-inspired dishes as well as specially priced drinks. Thursday, March 17 from 4pm to 2am. The Sportsman's Arms is on the first floor of the International Tennis Centre. 02 403 4235
If St. Patrick's Day is more about the food and less about the party, head to Reform Social and Grill in The Lakes, Dubai. They're adding a special Irish steak pie to their menu for one day only to celebrate the Irish fest. Stop in on St. Patrick's Day and try it for Dh110. From noon onward. 04 454 2638
Original Wings and Rings in DIFC isn't an Irish restaurant but that won't stop them from celebrating. The venue will be decorated in green Irish décor and there will be plenty of green drinks on offer throughout the day. Take and post selfies using the St. Patrick's Day props on hand and tag @BuffaloEmirates for a chance to win dinner for two. March 17, From noon to midnight. 04 359 6900
The Dubliner's at Le Meridien Dubai Hotel and Conference Centre will host an all-day St. Patrick's Day celebration Irish stew, Irish pies, bangers and mash, batter fried cod, burgers, fresh oysters and more. The all-you-can-eat buffet includes two drinks for Dh130. March 17, from noon onward with live entertainment from 7:30pm to 10:30pm. 04 702 2455
Speakeasy in the Ramada Plaza JBR, Dubai, will be decked out in green and Irish décor for St. Patrick's Day. The venue will also have a St. Patrick's Day menu throughout the day. There will be specially priced Irish drinks and a live band to keep the mood festive. March 17 from 12:30pm to 3am with the St. Patrick's Day menu available from 6:30pm to 12:30am. The live band will play from 11:15pm to 1am. 04 439 8888
sjohnson@thenational.ae
Why seagrass matters
- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
- Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
- Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
- Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
The biog
Name: Salvador Toriano Jr
Age: 59
From: Laguna, The Philippines
Favourite dish: Seabass or Fish and Chips
Hobbies: When he’s not in the restaurant, he still likes to cook, along with walking and meeting up with friends.
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Mumbai Indians 213/6 (20 ov)
Royal Challengers Bangalore 167/8 (20 ov)
Wydad 2 Urawa 3
Wydad Nahiri 21’, Hajhouj 90'
Urawa Antonio 18’, 60’, Kashiwagi 26’
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
Jawan
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'My Son'
Director: Christian Carion
Starring: James McAvoy, Claire Foy, Tom Cullen, Gary Lewis
Rating: 2/5
THE BIO
Bio Box
Role Model: Sheikh Zayed, God bless his soul
Favorite book: Zayed Biography of the leader
Favorite quote: To be or not to be, that is the question, from William Shakespeare's Hamlet
Favorite food: seafood
Favorite place to travel: Lebanon
Favorite movie: Braveheart
Tips from the expert
Dobromir Radichkov, chief data officer at dubizzle and Bayut, offers a few tips for UAE residents looking to earn some cash from pre-loved items.
- Sellers should focus on providing high-quality used goods at attractive prices to buyers.
- It’s important to use clear and appealing photos, with catchy titles and detailed descriptions to capture the attention of prospective buyers.
- Try to advertise a realistic price to attract buyers looking for good deals, especially in the current environment where consumers are significantly more price-sensitive.
- Be creative and look around your home for valuable items that you no longer need but might be useful to others.
Gifts exchanged
- King Charles - replica of President Eisenhower Sword
- Queen Camilla - Tiffany & Co vintage 18-carat gold, diamond and ruby flower brooch
- Donald Trump - hand-bound leather book with Declaration of Independence
- Melania Trump - personalised Anya Hindmarch handbag
RESULTS
6.30pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 – Group 1 (PA) $49,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner RB Frynchh Dude, Pat Cosgrave (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
7.05pm Al Bastakiya Trial – Conditions (TB) $50,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner El Patriota, Vagner Leal, Antonio Cintra
7.40pm Zabeel Turf – Listed (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,000m
Winner Ya Hayati, Mickael Barzalona, Charlie Appleby
8.15pm Cape Verdi – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner Althiqa, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
8.50pm UAE 1000 Guineas – Listed (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Soft Whisper, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
9.25pm Handicap (TB) $68,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner Bedouin’s Story, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
UAE squad
Rohan Mustafa (captain), Ashfaq Ahmed, Ghulam Shabber, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Boota, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Shaiman Anwar, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Qadeer Ahmed, Mohammed Naveed, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan
RESULTS
Time; race; prize; distance
4pm: Maiden; (D) Dh150,000; 1,200m
Winner: General Line, Xavier Ziani (jockey), Omar Daraj (trainer)
4.35pm: Maiden (T); Dh150,000; 1,600m
Winner: Travis County, Adrie de Vries, Ismail Mohammed
5.10pm: Handicap (D); Dh175,000; 1,200m
Winner: Scrutineer, Tadhg O’Shea, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
5.45pm: Maiden (D); Dh150,000; 1,600m
Winner: Yulong Warrior, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
6.20pm: Maiden (D); Dh150,000; 1,600m
Winner: Ejaaby, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson
6.55pm: Handicap (D); Dh160,000; 1,600m
Winner: Storyboard, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
7.30pm: Handicap (D); Dh150,000; 2,200m
Winner: Grand Dauphin, Gerald Mosse, Ahmed Al Shemaili
8.05pm: Handicap (T); Dh190,000; 1,800m
Winner: Good Trip, Tadhg O’Shea, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
Series info
Test series schedule 1st Test, Abu Dhabi: Sri Lanka won by 21 runs; 2nd Test, Dubai: Play starts at 2pm, Friday-Tuesday
ODI series schedule 1st ODI, Dubai: October 13; 2nd ODI, Abu Dhabi: October 16; 3rd ODI, Abu Dhabi: October 18; 4th ODI, Sharjah: October 20; 5th ODI, Sharjah: October 23
T20 series schedule 1st T20, Abu Dhabi: October 26; 2nd T20, Abu Dhabi: October 27; 3rd T20, Lahore: October 29
Tickets Available at www.q-tickets.com
Stat Fourteen Fourteen of the past 15 Test matches in the UAE have been decided on the final day. Both of the previous two Tests at Dubai International Stadium have been settled in the last session. Pakistan won with less than an hour to go against West Indies last year. Against England in 2015, there were just three balls left.
Key battle - Azhar Ali v Rangana Herath Herath may not quite be as flash as Muttiah Muralitharan, his former spin-twin who ended his career by taking his 800th wicket with his final delivery in Tests. He still has a decent sense of an ending, though. He won the Abu Dhabi match for his side with 11 wickets, the last of which was his 400th in Tests. It was not the first time he has owned Pakistan, either. A quarter of all his Test victims have been Pakistani. If Pakistan are going to avoid a first ever series defeat in the UAE, Azhar, their senior batsman, needs to stand up and show the way to blunt Herath.
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
