Festivals

Experience the rich culture of Ireland at a series of free events to celebrate St Patrick. Come to the place of ancient history, where Patrick’s sacred mountain lies and celebrate our Patron Saint.

Ballina

The 2023 Ballina St Patrick's Day Parade will commence at 4.30 pm on Friday 17th March

It will start from Mercy Road and will finish at Emmet Street by the River Moy.

This year the theme will be Ballina 2023 to honour the past, celebrate the present and inspire hope for the future.

Castlebar

The 2023 Castlebar St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on Friday, 17th March, at 2.00 pm.

The starting point will be McHale Road.

This year, the theme will be “Castlebar-Your all-inclusive Town” to celebrate the town's progress as An Autism Friendly Town.

Westport

Westport will celebrate St Patrick with the festival “Gathering for Patrick”. The event will run from Thursday, 16th March to Sunday, 19th March 2023.

It will include traditional music sessions, street busking, a children’s magic show and a variety of concerts featuring the Westport Town Hall Community Choir together with the local Ukrainian community.

The popular St Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on Friday, 17th March.

Swinford

The 2023 iconic Swinford St. Patrick's Day Parade will take place on Friday, March 17th and return to the streets. The parade aims to connect families, friends and communities through their contemporary and traditional arts, culture and heritage.

Newport

The 2023 St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on Friday, 17th March, at 3.30 pm.

Achill Island

On the rugged Achill Island, St. Patrick's Day will be celebrated on Friday, 17th March 2023.

The island’s traditional pipe bands take a central role in this celebration by marching from village to village since 1882.

Here is the scheduled approximate timetable :

• 8.00 am, Dooagh Pipe Band starts at Molly’s, Keel West.

• 8.00 am, Keel Pipe Band starts at Minaun View Bar, Keel.

• 8.30 am, Pollagh Pipe Band starts at Dooagh NS, Dooagh.

• 8.45 am, Dookinella Pipe Band starts at Achill Head Hotel, Pollagh.

• 9.00 am, Afreann Gaeilge (Mass in Irish) at St. Patrick’s Church, Pollagh.

• 10 am, All bands play at St. Patrick’s Church, Pollagh.

• 10.30 am, March from Pollagh to Dookinella.

• 12 noon, Mass at Dookinella Church.

• 1 pm, Bands play first individually and then collectively at Dookinella church, commencing the march back to their villages afterwards.

Visitors will enjoy a special day out following the Achill pipe bands, pausing for refreshments, and taking time to spot the spectacular scenery of Achill Island.

On Saturday 18th March, there will also be a parade at Achill Sound at 1 pm.

Ballinrobe

The 2023 St Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on Friday, 17th March.

The assembly point will be Lakeside Centre/Kilmain Road at 2.45 pm.

The parade will commence at 3.30 pm sharp.

This year's theme will be: “You don’t have to be Irish to be Irish”.

There will be a lot of prizes for the best floats.

Claremorris

The 2023 St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on Friday, 17th March, at 3.00 pm.

Entertainment, music and more will be on stage in The Square starting from 1.00 pm.

This year, Claremorris is honoured to have the legendary singer Tony Christie as Grand Marshal of the Parade.

Enniscrone

The “Three Villages” St Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on Friday, 17th March, starting at 1 pm from the Diamond Coast Hotel in Enniscrone.

The Parade will move to Easkey at 3 pm and end in Dromore West at 4 pm.

Crossmolina

Crossmolina will celebrate St Patrick’s Day with the spectacular Electric Light Parade on Friday, 17th March 2023. The parade will take place at 7.30 pm.

Floats, cars, tractors, trucks, buses, marching bands and children from the local schools will parade altogether along the main streets decorated in a selection of lights and effects for the event.

Ballaghaderreen

The 2023 Ballaghaderreen St Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on Friday, 17th March, at 2.30 pm, coming from Sligo Road. It will wind through the town and stop at Imelda Towey’s shop for performances.

This year the theme will be: ”We are one”. The aim is to encourage people to connect and celebrate together.

There will be a lot of prizes for the best floats and for the St. Patrick's Day Parade Children's Art Competition.

Other Towns

• Cong: 17th March

• Belmullet: March 17th at 3:00 pm. Irish dancing from 2:30 pm at Carter Square.

• Bangor Erris: March 17th after Mass commencing around 12.30 pm.

• Ballycastle: March 17th after Mass at 12.15 pm. Assembly at the Community Hall.

• Kiltimagh: 17th March 2023 at 3.00 pm.

• Charlestown: 17th March at 1.00 pm