Festivals

March 2025

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.

Achill Island

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

Since 1882, the island’s traditional pipe bands have played a central role in this celebration by marching from village to village.

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.

Achill Sound

The Achill Sound Parade is moving to Easter Sunday.

It will take place on Sunday 20th April 2025 at 1 pm.

Belmullet

The 2025 Belmullet St Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on 17th March at 3 pm in the Square.

The participant walkers will gather from 2:30 pm at the Sports Complex while participant vehicles will meet at the Factories.

There will be Music and Irish Dancing from 1:30 pm at the Square.

Kiltimagh

St Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on 16th March at 3 pm in Kiltimagh

This year’s theme will be : “Home is Where the Heart is”. The aim of the Committee is to celebrate the pride in the Irish culture and history and in the community and to celebrate also the cultures of all the people who have made Kiltimagh their home.

Westport

Westport’s St Patrick’s Day Parade will have the theme: “Our Community Connection”.

This year’s Grand Marshal will be Michael Ring, former Mayo Minister and TD.

The parade will commence at noon on Monday 17th March.

Ballina

The 2025 St Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on Monday 17th March at 3 pm.

This year’ theme will be:” Reach for the Stars” and will aim to inspire young people to dream big and follow their passion.

The town is very proud to annunce the name of the Grand Marchal for 2025 Parade: the Ballina born Dr Norah Patten who is really an inpirational person.

Aeronautical engineer and aspiring astronaut on a future research spaceflight with Virgin Galactic she inspires the new generation.

Claremorris

The 2025 Claremorris St Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on Sunday 16th March.

This year’s theme is “Irish Myths, Legends and Folklore”.

This year Grand Marshal will be the composer Patrick Cassidy. Originally from Claremorris he is now based in US.

The Parade will start at 3pm , but music and entertainment will commence at 1 pm.

A fireworks display will end at the celebration of St Patrick Day at 8 pm.

Swinford

The 2025 Swinford St Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on Monday 17th March at 3 pm

This year the town is celebrating its 75th parade which is one of the longest parade in Ireland still running nowadays.

The theme will be “ The Year that was…” There will be music and entertainment all weekend long.

Brid O’Connell, secretary and main organiser of Siamsa Sraide Street Festival Swinford, will be the Grand Marshall.

Killala

The 2025 St Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on Sunday 16th March at 12.30 in Killla.

The event is organises by the Killala Live Events Committtee. All participants will gather at the Community Centre.

Binghamstown

The 2025 Binghamstown’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade Will take place on Monday 17th March at 1.30 pm. This year theme will be “Lights, Camera, Shamrocks!”, a mix of Irish Tradition and Hollywood magic Movies. There will be live music and Irish dancing

Castlebar

The 2025 Castlebar St Patrick's Day Parade will take place Monday 17th March.

This year theme will be “The ideal Work Life Destination”.

Participants will gather at 11 am, the parade will commence at noon.

Crossmolina

The 2025 St Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on Sunday 16th March at 7.30 pm.

It will be an Electric Light Parade

Newport

The 2025 Newport St Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on Monday March at 3.30 pm.

Ballinrobe

The 2025 St Patrick’s Day Parade will ake place in BAllinrobe on Monday 17th March.

This year theme will be: “ ShamRock ‘n’ Robe”.

Charlestown

The 2025 Charlestown St Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on Monday 17th March at 3 pm, starting from CBD.

Bangor-Erris

St Patrick’s Day Parade will be held on Sunday 16th March at 12.30 pm starting from The Kiltane GAA complex.

Ballycastle

The 2025 St Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on Monday 17th March at 12.30 pm. Participants will gather at Ballycastle Hall.

Lahardane

The Parade will take place on Monday 17th March at 2 pm

Foxford

The 2025 St Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on Sunday 16th March at 3.30 pm.

Ballaghaderreen

The Parade will be held at 2.30 pm on Monday 17th March.

The theme will be “Going Green in Ballaghaderreen”.

This year there will be a Sensory Awareness Silent Section from Creatons Bar to the Garda Station.

Eachleim

St Patrick’s Day Parade will kick off at noon on 17th March in Eachleim.

The meeting point will be Tarmon Car Park.

Easkey

In Easkey St Patrick DAy Parade will start at 3 pm on Monday 17th March.

Enniscrone

St Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on Monday 17th March at 1 pm.

Participants will gather at The Diamont Coast Hotel and will set off at 1 pm.

After the parade there will be music and refreshments for all at the Old Church.