All were in great spirits for the annual Feast of Saint Patrick which commemorates the arrival of Christianity in Ireland and celebrates Irish heritage and culture.

Men, women and children wore green and there were shamrocks and leprechauns scattered among the crowd.

Alby Fares said the day started at 8am with a traditional Irish breakfast.

"It has been a good turnout even with the weather. People were waiting as soon as we opened the door," Mr Fares said.

"It is not quite as big as last year which was on a Saturday with nice weather.

"I estimate we will go through around 27 kegs of Guinness. At some points we are putting a keg on every half hour.

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"Saint Patrick's Day is unlike any other day. You can only really do it in an Irish Pub and this is the only one in the Illawarra".

For Ciara Harris and her children Clover and Bowen it was their third annual celebration at Dicey Riley's.

Mrs Harris moved from Dublin seven years ago and loves to drink Guinness and share some Irish culture and tradition with her children.

"It is like being back in Ireland for a day," she said.

For Kath Dugan and Hazel Walsh it was their first Saint Patrick's Day at Dicey's and the live Irish music got them dancing as soon as they arrived.

Mrs Walsh is from Ireland but it was a Scottish friend who told them about the annual event at the Wollongong hotel.