Everyone knows that Dublin, New York and Chicago throw great St. Patrick’s Day parties, but this year, the place to be to celebrate Ireland’s patron saint is the beautiful Caribbean island of Montserrat.

Since Montserrat is the only country outside of Ireland to recognize St. Patrick’s Day as a public holiday, why not book an exquisite villa rental in Montserrat and get your Irish on, in an unusually sunny way.  With St. Patrick’s Day falling in March, it offers up the perfect chance to blend a little Irish history with lots of fun and a gorgeous tropical vacation, all at the same time.

This year, the festivities for St. Patrick’s Week in Montserrat will take place from March 9th to the 19th. The party lasts for a whole week, blending in a strong dose of the island’s Irish history with a fascinating mix of its African roots as well.

The village of Salem is at the heart of the party, hosting nature hikes, a Freedom Run from Cudjoe Head to Salem Park, and a fun calypso competition for the kids.  There will also be a reconstructed Slave Village in Salem, where there will be stalls offering local delicacies, and traditional games.  There will also be lots of music and dancing.

This year, the St. Patrick’s Week celebrations will also include an artisan show on Montserrat Day, where local craftsmen and women will sell their handmade arts and foods.  There will also be a competition for the best goat water stew, which is the island specialty.

Montserrat’s Irish traditions date back to the 17th century, when large number of Irish immigrants came to the island, fleeing the persecution of Catholics on nearby islands.  Since that time, the island’s locals have kept up their Irish traditions, adapting them to their new Caribbean home.

For a truly unique and memorable St. Patrick’s Day celebration, and Montserrat Holiday plan a stay at a Montserrat villa and take part in a week-long celebration on this other Emerald Isle.