Expect an explosion of colour and creativity on the streets of Ireland as local communities proudly showcase their homegrown talents
In every crevice of the Emerald Isle, volunteer parade committees are getting ready to unleash marching bands, colourful clubs and crazy floats on our streets, creating a riot of sound and colour to celebrate Lá Fhéile Pádraig.
To find out what’s happening near you, click on our interactive map below.
Huge crowds expected for the St Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin
Over half a million people are expected to get in on all the action in Dublin for the national St. Patrick’s Day Parade which will feature 12 large-scale floats from independent parade companies, with over 3,000 participants involved.
The parade route runs from Parnell Square starting at 12pm, through the city centre to the finishing point at the junction of Kevin Street and Cuffe Street.
Returning to the streets of Dublin are beloved pageant makers including Macnas, Bui Bolg, Spraoi, Inishowen Carnival Group, Curious State, Volkidana, The Outing Queer Arts Collective, Artastic and ArtFX, alongside exciting new entries from Lumen Street Theatre and Show CoMotion, a new Dublin-based parade company making its Festival debut.
Adding to the festivities, the Rotunda Hospital makes its first appearance this year with a special float designed by ArtFX.
Stilt walkers in the Limerick City Parade 2025. Photo: Don Moloney.
Major city parades in Limerick, Cork, Galway and Waterford
Across the country, local festivities are proudly showcasing their homegrown talents and with ‘Legends of Limerick’ as the theme for Limerick City’s St Patrick’s festival, it’s only fitting that athletics ace Ava Crean leads this year’s parade as grand marshal.
The parade will follow a route that begins on O’Connell Avenue (Roden Street junction), travels down Lower Glentworth Street onto Henry Street and up Honan’s Quay to finish on Rutland Street.
In Cork city, the St Patrick’s Day Parade is expected to start at 1pm from South Mall, where it will roam to Grand Parade, St Patrick’s Street before finishing on Merchant’s Quay.
This year’s Grand Marshal is sure to capture hearts and possibly the whole show, the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind are the Grand Marshals for Cork city’s parade to celebrate their 50th anniversary.
The St Patrick’s Festival parade in Galway city will take place on March 17 and is expected to start at around 11.30am and finish at 1pm, marching from University of Galway over the Salmon Weir Bridge, to Eglinton Street, reaching Eyre Square and concluding on Prospect Hill.
The theme for the 2026 parade is ‘Legends and Rising Stars’ encapsulated by this year’s Guest of Honour, former President Michael D. Higgins, a fitting tribute to his lifelong commitment to culture, equality and community.
Waterford city’s parade is expected to be bigger and better than ever before with a colourful and vibrant mix of people, cultures, sights and sounds.
The parade begins at Waterford Bus Station and will proceed along the Quay, past the Clock Tower and the Plaza, moving around to the Mall, with entries gathering at the Bridge Street end of the Quay at the start of the parade.
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Roundstone. Photo: Facebook Roundstone St Patrick’s Day Parade.
Local celebrations across Ireland’s towns and villages
Doonbeg, Co. Clare have also adopted a ‘Legends’ theme this year with the Tulla Pipe Band, a vintage car rally and the much-anticipated dog show encapsulating the best of local talent, legacy and legendary cuteness while ‘Legends Live Here’ has been adopted in Sligo Town to celebrate the many legends with a Sligo connection, there’s no telling who the crowds lining the street might see strolling past them
An eclectic mix of additions to local parades can be seen across the country from Cavan Town’s own record-breaking Paralympian truck-puller and World Record holder Shane McLoughlin to Claremorris, Co. Mayo’s Guest of Honour, local adventurer Eamonn Keaveney, who recently received a hero’s welcome in the town when he completed a 6,800km barefoot walk from Istanbul to Claremorris
Huge community efforts can be seen in Cashel with choirs, bands and locally built floats expected to fill the streets with whimsy and colour in a special tribute to Wally Ryan, the long-serving parade treasurer, who sadly passed away on January 28. Wally was a deeply committed and passionate community figure whose contribution to the parade spanned many years.
Longford Town’s parade is set to feature over 40 floats representing every nook and cranny of the county’s communities while Portarlington, Co. Laois are set to go all out with their ‘carnival’ themed walking parade and Celbridge, Co. Kildare have chosen ‘Gulliver’s Travels’ as this year’s theme.
A Massey Ferguson vintage tractor at the Mallow parade in 2025.
Carlow Town have put their own spin on family fun with Taylor Swift tribute act, Taylor Swiftly, taking to the stage after the parade on Tuesday and Kilkenny City is set to wow spectators with a unique flame-based show with immersive, dynamic fire choreography and aerial acrobatics by the Pyro Collective.
In feel-good family fashion, Letterkenny’s parade will see the Donegal Little Blue Heroes, a group of children living with life-limiting illnesses who have been made honorary members of An Garda Síochána, lead the parade through the town
Ballintubber, Co. Roscommon’s parade will also feature the best in the business of family fun with special guests Mickey and Minnie Mouse, along with a host of other well-known children’s characters. Bozo the Clown will provide entertainment before and during the parade.
Unique traditions and standout moments from across the country
In Leitrim, Cloone are getting on the St. Patrick’s Day action for the first time with their debut parade while one of the oldest, if not the oldest parades in the country, the Wexford St Patrick’s Day parade will continue the long-running tradition this year with some 130 different groups taking part.
People are being invited into a ‘World of Imagination’ in Dundalk, Co. Louth with players from Dundalk FC at the top of the parade as the Grand Marshall. The club which is celebrating its 100th anniversary will also be joined contrastingly with performers from Circus Vagas will be taking part in the parade for the first time this year.
Home of CMAT, Dunboyne, Co. Meath are celebrating their other homegrown heroes this year with this year’s Grand Marshal being the Dunboyne First Responders – a group that truly represents the spirit, strength and compassion at the core of community.
Those under time constraints trying to pack in as much as they can into the day of festivities will be delighted to know that Oram, Co. Monaghan is maintaining its reputation as the shortest parade in the world, offering a unique and eclectic range of attractions for all.
Tullamore’s parade will be a celebration of milestones for Offaly’s best with Paris 2024 Olympian and World Silver and Bronze Medalist, Grainne Walsh as Grand Marshall for this year’s parade while the National Ambulance Service Pipes and Drums band will feature prominently in the parade ahead of their 20th anniversary this year.
Dingle in Co. Kerry will be up with the roosters with a Traditional Fife and Drum march at 6am followed by the main parade at 12.30pm while later celebrations in Westmeath include the Mullingar Town Band among the many marchers bringing the festivities to life when the parade starts at 4.45pm.
In Wicklow, Greystones will come alive with colour as the annual parade returns, celebrating the town’s coastal heritage under the theme ‘Ireland From Shore to Sea’. Organisers say the theme aims to inspire creativity while highlighting Greystones’ strong maritime identity.