Determined to stay off the sauce this year?

Whether you’re teetotal, pregnant, working the Paddy’s Day shift or simply can’t be arsed with the pointless hangover, there’s plenty happening in Cork this weekend outside of the pub.

According to the Drinkaware Index, one in five people want to cut down on their alcohol consumption and the popularity of zero-alcohol drinks in Irish pubs right now suggests a cultural shift is brewing when it comes to boozing.

Besides the parade (always worth a look, in our book) the St Patrick’s Day Festival will guarantee the city is buzzing from now until Monday.

Here are five ideas if a weekend of drinking isn’t for you:

1. Kick back with a healthy brunch

Vegan mecca 143V will be opening the doors early on St Patrick’s Day, March 17th, serving brunch to the masses from 9am until 1pm. Stop by the cafe on the Lower Glanmire Road for breakfast bagels, green juice, avocado toast and fancy porridge. It’s the perfect first stop when you get off the train.

Ours is a turmeric-based Golden Milk Latte.

2. Try a Seedlip cocktail at The River Lee

If you’re wondering what to drink when you’re not drinking, give Seedlip a shot.

The world’s first non-alcoholic spirit, there are three unique and complex blends – Spice 94, Garden 108 and Grove 42 – all super tasty served with tonic or mixed into a sophisticated booze-free cocktail. The River Club’s Seedlip Royal is a blend of elderflower, mint, lime and Seedlip aromatic with alcohol-free sparkling wine.

3. Catch some live trad at The Lee Sessions

There’s nothing like a bit of live trad music to make you feel all patriotic on our national day. The Lee Sessions will be bringing the bodhráns, banjos and fiddles all over town, performing in various for free throughout the weekend. Find a venue near you here.

4. Take a walking tour

With a decent raincoat, you can get your exercise fix in town while exploring the hidden history of Cork. Download a map of the city sights here and set out on your own or join a walking tour (details here) to get a local perspective.

5. Hit the Pop-Up St Patrick’s Festival Market

With comfort food aplenty, dished up by O’Flynn’s Sausages, The Crepe Man, Sultan, Barracuda and Burrito Addict (pictured above in the main image), make a beeline for Emmet Place this weekend (10am-5pm) if you’re hungry. We’ll be making more than one stop… and probably a third later on for dessert.