{"id":350636,"date":"2026-03-17T11:05:08","date_gmt":"2026-03-17T11:05:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/350636\/"},"modified":"2026-03-17T11:05:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T11:05:08","slug":"parade-info-for-dublin-and-across-ireland-the-irish-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/350636\/","title":{"rendered":"Parade info for Dublin and across Ireland \u2013 The Irish Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

Main PointsKey Reads<\/p>\n

The Dublin parade will be starting in an hour and this Live Story will be coming, um, live from the route – all going well, <\/p>\n

Other parades to hail glorious Saint Patrick <\/p>\n

The tradition of St Patrick\u2019s Day parades began in America. A Spanish colony in what is now St Augustine, in Florida, held the first recorded parade on March 17th, 1601. The celebrations were organised by the colony\u2019s Irish priest, Padre Ricardo Artur, or Fr Richard Arthur, from Limerick. More than a century later, homesick Irish soldiers serving in the British military paraded on March 17th in Boston in 1737 and in New York in 1762. <\/p>\n

New York hosts the world\u2019s biggest St Patrick\u2019s Day celebration, with more than two million spectators watching 150,000 participants, according to its organiser<\/p>\n

Aside from the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Montserrat is the only other place in the world outside Ireland where St Patrick\u2019s Day is a public holiday. The Caribbean island\u2019s celebration is linked to the history of enslavement of African people: on March 17th, 1768, a group of slaves staged an unsuccessful uprising. Today, a freedom run, masquerade dancing and other events during Montserrat\u2019s two-week St Patrick\u2019s festival commemorate this history.<\/p>\n

Argentina has about 500,000 people of Irish descent, the largest population outside the English-speaking world. The capital city becomes a sea of green each year when it hosts the largest parade in South America.<\/p>\n

\"KatieKatie Locke and Mary Jordan Janeski, Virginia, at the national St. Patrick\u2019s Day parade 2026 in Dublin City centre. Photograph: Dara Mac D\u00f3naill \/ The Irish Times<\/p>\n

\"FrenchFrench visitors at the national St. Patrick\u2019s Day parade 2026 in Dublin City centre.
\nPhotograph: Dara Mac D\u00f3naill \/ The Irish Times<\/p>\n

\"ChristianoChristiano Zanin and Julia Zatti, Brazil, at the national St. Patrick\u2019s Day parade 2026 in Dublin City centre. Photograph: Dara Mac D\u00f3naill \/ The Irish Times<\/p>\n

Sure he wasn\u2019t even Irish <\/p>\n

If you are in the market for some facts about St Patrick we have you covered. <\/p>\n

The first fun fact, if we might paraphrase Roy Keane back in the Saipan days, is that St Patrick wasn\u2019t even Irish. <\/p>\n

He was, most probably, Welsh or at least that is what the Welsh village of Banwen, claims. In times past it was known as Bannavem Taburniae, the Roman settlement where, Patrick wrote in his Confessions, he was born. There are also suggestions that he was Scottish or, whisper it, English. <\/p>\n

He was kidnapped when he was 16 and sold into slavery. He was bought by a druid or Celtic priest and lived in Antrim for six cold, damp and pretty miserable years.<\/p>\n

He escaped and fled back to Britain where he was ordained after which he came back to Ireland to work as a missionary.<\/p>\n

He landed near Downpatrick, after currents swept his boat from the Irish Sea into Strangford Lough. A quickly converted local chieftain gave him a sabhall, or barn where he based himself before travelling the land sharing the Good News. <\/p>\n

Patrick was married to a woman called Sheelah. The day after Paddy\u2019s Day used to be a celebration of her life but she has largely been written out of the story. <\/p>\n

According to legend h St Patrick used the shamrock to teach the Christian doctrine of the Holy Trinity – the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. It became associated with Ireland more widely during rebellions against Britain in the 18th century.<\/p>\n

If you care a jot about the sons and daughters of Erin listen up, Americans <\/p>\n

At this point we think it is important to raise an issue with any American readers we may have. We know that you live far away and \u2013 if you are of Irish heritage \u2013 might consider today to be somewhat sacred. <\/p>\n

And we salute you for that. But for the love of all the saints and scholars, can you hear us when we say it is not \u2013 under no circumstances \u2013 alright to refer to the day as St Patty\u2019s Day. St Patrick\u2019s Day is acceptable as is Paddy\u2019s Day or even St Paddy\u2019s Day but if you want to given an Irish person the ick you will say St Patty\u2019s Day. <\/p>\n

Thank you for your attention to this matter (to use a phrase that pops up surprisingly often on a well known figure on the world stage\u2019s social media accounts). <\/p>\n

The exporting of the green worth millions <\/p>\n

As you may know the Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin will be in the White House today for the annual Paddy\u2019s Day visit and along with navigating what might be described as a tricky enough auld assignment (for reasons we don\u2019t need to dwell on here) he will hand the US president Donald Trump a crystal bowl full of shamrock. It is not the only shamrock that will leave the shores of Erin (sorry, it\u2019s hard not to get caught up the moment!) this year. According to official data Ireland exported six tonnes of shamrock-related items in 2024 worth around \u20ac63m. <\/p>\n

The waning popularity of the nation\u2019s Paddys laid bare<\/p>\n

The good people at the Central Statistics Office have released some Paddy\u2019s Day data \u2013 or St Patrick\u2019s Data if you will. <\/p>\n

March 16th is the most popular wedding date in the first five months of any given year.<\/p>\n

Patrick was the second-most popular boys\u2019 name in 1965 but by last year it had fallen to 25th. Poor old Padraig is doing even worse and last year it was the 185th most popular boys\u2019 name in Ireland.<\/p>\n

\u2018People have told me they\u2019ve saved three, four years, five years for this\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the national day and a chance for us to domestically and globally showcase what we\u2019re good at, having fun,\u201d said St Patrick\u2019s Festival chief executive Richard Tierney. <\/p>\n

He told The Irish Times (that\u2019s us) the festival will bring about 100,000 tourists into the country and is worth in excess of \u20ac130m to the economy. <\/p>\n

\u201cI would say 50 per cent of people that are coming are here because it is a bucket list thing and about 25 per cent are spring breakers. Some people have told me they\u2019ve saved three, four years, five years for this,\u201d he continued. <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I think what\u2019s really important is the stories they tell when they get home. The world is a bit of a difficult place at the moment and we rely on people coming to see us so it\u2019s important to put our best foot forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

He said Vogue ticked all the boxes as a grand marshal and \u201cis a good role model which is most important for us\u201d.<\/p>\n

Martin set for Trump meeting in White House <\/p>\n

Miche\u00e1l Martin is preparing for a bilateral meeting with US president Donald Trump.<\/p>\n

The Taoiseach will also meet vice-president JD Vance on St Patrick\u2019s Day as part of the leader of Ireland\u2019s traditional visit to Washington, DC.<\/p>\n

Martin will meet Mr Trump in the Oval Office in an encounter that is expected to touch on a range of topics, including \u201cdeep ties\u201d between the two countries.<\/p>\n

Last year\u2019s meeting saw the US president take questions from reporters for almost an hour.<\/p>\n

However, the Taoiseach has faced criticism from some quarters about meeting Trump following the US and Israel\u2019s war with Iran.<\/p>\n

Sinn F\u00e9in president Mary Lou McDonald and Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O\u2019Neill are boycotting the St Patrick\u2019s Day events in the US over the Trump administration\u2019s policies on Gaza.<\/p>\n

Enda Kenny, the first taoiseach to meet Donald Trump during the latter\u2019s first term in office in 2017, described an opportunity that is the envy of other countries.<\/p>\n

Speaking to reporters at the Irish Funds gala dinner on Monday night, Kenny said the traditional annual meeting must be maintained.<\/p>\n

\u201cEssentially the job of the Taoiseach on Tuesday in meeting with the president of the United States is to reaffirm the strength of links between Ireland and America,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re all different and politicians are politicians, they\u2019ve got their own view and issues that they wish to raise. Generally and over the last years, a visit by whatever Irish taoiseach to whatever American president was about the links between both entities.<\/p>\n

\u201cObviously there is a place for sorting out global politics and global controversies such as we have now, but Tuesday\u2019s meeting is for the Taoiseach to reaffirm that Ireland is not losing sight of the opportunity here in America and over 200,000 American jobs, employed by Irish firms.\u201d<\/p>\n

Asked about those who feel the Taoiseach should have not continued the tradition of meeting with Trump, or should press him on issues, Kenny said: \u201cI had that same argument with myself in 2011 right up to 2017 that you shouldn\u2019t go to the White House, but this is an opportunity that no other country has.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re here to talk about opportunity for America, in America through Ireland or for young Irish to thrive and prosper and be world leaders, irrespective of what one\u2019s views are, it\u2019s a really important and critical element of good connections in politics that Ireland, whoever the taoiseach is, has established a very strong tradition of being able to talk to whoever the American president is.<\/p>\n

\u201cOther countries would be jealous to have that opportunity, and that\u2019s something that we should not, under any circumstances, let slip from our grasp.\u201d<\/p>\n

Later on Tuesday, the Taoiseach will attend the Friends of Ireland Luncheon at the US Capitol, ahead of his presentation of a bowl of shamrock to the US president back at the White House.<\/p>\n

Dos and don\u2019ts to get the most out of the Dublin parade <\/p>\n

Do arrive early, having planned your journey into the city centre in advance. <\/p>\n

Don\u2019t expect to drive in and find parking close to the parade route. <\/p>\n

Don\u2019t bring a ladder, it is not 1983.<\/p>\n

Do bring sustenance to keep you going, a flask of tea might be an idea.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t expect to see sweets hurled off the back of tractors \u2013 again, it is not 1983. <\/p>\n

Do wear the warmest socks you can find. And many, many layers. It will feel fairly cold if you are standing on the street for at least three hours, although in Dublin at any rate, the dial could climb as high as 14 degrees. <\/p>\n

Don\u2019t let your children roam free – the city will be bedlam all day. <\/p>\n

Do ensure that they have contact details of a responsible adult about their person – you could do worse than write your mobile number on their arm.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t be reserved, cheer loudly at every passing float. Today is a big, big deal for all those taking part so make them feel the love.<\/p>\n

Off-licences closed until 4pm to curtail on-street boozing <\/p>\n

In 1927, the Ireland banned the sale of alcohol on three days a year \u2013 Christmas Day, Good Friday and St Patrick\u2019s Day. The Paddy\u2019s Day ban was lifted only a few years after it was introduced and it has \u2013 for a far while now \u2013 been a day that has become somewhat associated with people in Ireland and in other parts of the world having a few light ales to toast our patron saint. <\/p>\n

And speaking of boozing, it is worth bearing in mind that there will be a voluntary restriction on off-licence sale of alcohol in Dublin City centre until after 4pm.<\/p>\n

Kinlough in Co Leitrim marked a double milestone this St Patrick’s Day, hosting the village\u2019s first-ever parade – and Ireland\u2019s earliest – at midnighthttps:\/\/t.co\/OcNQ6EqPey<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 RT\u00c9 News (@rtenews) March 17, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2018I think we deserve to show off,\u2019 says Vogue<\/p>\n

\u201cWe got the weather, we got the weather,\u201d says Vogue Williams as she makes her first appearance of the day.<\/p>\n

She tells an assembled gathering of the most important media in the world – and The Irish Times Live Story – that she is very much in her \u201cparade era\u201d.<\/p>\n

Richard Tierney, chief executive of the St Patrick\u2019s Festival, tells her that the Lord Mayor Ray McAdam is \u201cmad to meet her\u201d and she expresses the hope that she will \u201cget to wear his necklace\u201d. <\/p>\n

She says she found out that she had been asked to lead the parade while in the Jungle on I\u2019m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here and immediately said yes. <\/p>\n

\u201cit is probably the highest honour you can get as an Irish person so I was delighted to do it,\u201d Vogue tells us.<\/p>\n

She says she was born in the Rotunda just a few metres away and spent her early childhood going to the parade before moving on to the bush-drinking, parade-dodging teenage years. <\/p>\n

\u201cNo matter where I live, Ireland is always home. I sit in a certain seat on the plane when I fly home so I can see where I grew up.\u201d<\/p>\n

A French reporter asks what it is like to be a woman grand marshal and Vogue points out that there have been quite a few female grand marshals in recent times. <\/p>\n

Tierney points out that Vogue is the third woman to be given the honour in the last four years. \u201cSo it is 3-1 under my stewardship.\u201d <\/p>\n

And asked what St Patrick\u2019s Day means to her she says simply: \u201cWe are showing off today and I think we deserve to show off.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before all the partying, the housekeeping<\/p>\n

The Dublin parade will kick off at noon and is expected to last about two hours. It will begin at Parnell Square North, in the north of the city, and travel down O\u2019Connell Street, over O\u2019Connell Bridge and through the south side of the city, finishing at the Cuffe Street\/Kevin Street junction.<\/p>\n

The Garda is promising \u201can extensive policing plan in place\u201d with more than 1,000 guards on duty including those in uniform, plain-clothes officers, public order units, armed support units, the dog units and the guards on horseback. <\/p>\n

To allow for the parade, garda\u00ed will have a number of rolling road closures and traffic restrictions in place and all motorists planning on making their way into or through the city are to be aware that parking will not be permitted along the parade route, and any offending vehicles will be towed.<\/p>\n

In general, all traffic will be diverted through the North and South Circular Roads for the duration of the St Patrick\u2019s Day parade.<\/p>\n

Ireland\u2019s big day has world awash with green <\/p>\n

While it remains a religious feast day, the middle of March has long since turned into a four-day carnival of Irishness in the capital \u2013 and to a lesser extent everywhere else in the country, if not the world. <\/p>\n

The St Patrick\u2019s Day Festival organisers say brings tens millions of euro into Ireland and while it undoubtedly does that, it also serves as a glorious sign that the curtain is finally falling on a long, dreary winter.<\/p>\n

Even though the day has moved on from its most traditional roots, (to the displeasure of some,<\/a> it must be said), it is roots that remain central as the main theme of this year\u2019s festival \u2013 and we are being promised \u201ca celebration of where we come from, what grounds us and how we continue to grow together\u201d.<\/p>\n

The St Patrick\u2019s Festival went with the theme of roots to highlight how Ireland is \u201cdeeply connected to story and tradition\u201d and its \u201croots lie not only in history and folklore, but in the lived experiences of all those who call this island home, shaped by migration, emigration and cultural exchange across generations\u201d.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s parade will feature 12 large floats from independent parade companies including Macnas, Bui Bolg, Spraoi and the Outing Queer Arts Collective as well as marching bands from Ireland, Scotland and US states including Ohio, Arizona, Illinois, Mississippi and Texas.<\/p>\n

Day to be warmer than normal but there could\/will be rain<\/p>\n

Hello and a top o\u2019 the morning to you all. Or Happy St Patrick\u2019s Day as we say in this part of the world.<\/p>\n

First, to the weather. While there was a decent chunk of blue sky of Dublin\u2019s north inner city first thing, it may not last and we\u2019re promised a changeable day with some patchy outbreaks of rain and drizzle.<\/p>\n

The most persistent rain will be found in the west \u2013 obviously \u2013 and it will gradually snake eastward through the morning and afternoon becoming patchier as it does so. <\/p>\n

Temperatures will be relatively mild for a St Patrick\u2019s Day with highest temperatures of 10 to 14 degrees, but windy with fresh to strong south to southwest winds, easing towards evening, Met \u00c9ireann has said.<\/p>\n

\"LittleLittle pots of fresh shamrock for sale beside rhubarb in a Dublin City fruit and vegetable shop for St Patricks day. Photograph: Bryan O\u2019Brien\/The Irish Times
\n