With many schools taking advantage of the way St. Patrick’s Day falls this year by closing on Monday 16th too, it’s the perfect opportunity to head off with the family for a long weekend.
There is something happening in just about every town in Ireland. Dublin and the other Irish cities have parades that attract thousands of people from every corner of the globe and in recent years the parades have become much more elaborate events. Here’s a selection of events happening this year to help you decide where you’ll be celebrating the big day!
Dublin
The St. Patrick’s Day parade in Dublin is the largest parade in the country. Along with the parade there is a huge firework display over the River Liffey and numerous musical and street theatre events. The crowds are enormous, comprising not only local people but many overseas visitors – in fact St Patrick’s day marks the unofficial beginning of the tourist season when visitors, like migrating birds, start to return in numbers.
Tues 17th March – 12.00pm – City Centre, starting at Parnell Square, Dublin 1
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Cork
The most vibrant and colourful display to be seen on the streets Ireland’s second city, Cork’s parade will feature up to 3,000 members of communities from all walks of life across the city – sporting groups to dance schools, new communities to our long-established brass bands, and annual special guests from around the world.
Tues 17th March – 1.00pm – South Mall to the Grand Parade, along St. Patrick’s Street and finishes at Merchant’s Quay.
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Galway
The Parade in Galway is a very theatrical event, largely down to the huge influence of theatre group Macnas which was founded in the city in 1986 with the aim of bringing colourful and exciting performances out into the streets.
2020 marks the 117th anniversary of the Galway St. Patrick’s Day Parade and you can expect a wonderful spectacle of all things Irish. The iconic fountain in Eyre Square will even turn green as part of the St Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Tue 17th March – 11.30am – starting on Lower Dominick Street
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Limerick City
An estimated 80,000 people are expected to line the streets of Limerick City for Ireland’s largest regional St. Patrick’s Day Parade. There are numerous floats, bands and community groups that provide a riot of noise, colour and entertainment.
The theme of this year’s Limerick St. Patrick’s Day Parade has been announced as ‘Our Future is Green’. Limerick’s businesses, community, sporting, and voluntary groups are being asked to showcase their green credentials as part of this year’s festival.
After the excitement of the parade, the perfect place for any family to stop by is Limerick’s Milk Market. From 11am to 3pm, the Milk Market will be a fun-filled and family orientated venue with games, live music, activities and, of course, street food.
Tues 17th March – 12pm – O’Connell Street
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Killarney
This year in Killarney the theme for St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2020 will be “Earth”. Along with the parade there will be street entertainment, a children’s zone, ceili, music, dancing and plenty of entertainment for all ages.
Tues 17th March 2017 – 2pm – Fitzgerald Stadium
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Belfast
Belfast will host a carnival parade full of floats, performers and music that begins at Belfast City Hall and works its way through to the city. The theme for 2020 is “Protecting the Environment and Climate Change”. The celebrations don’t stop when it ends at Writers Square because the next step is the St Patrick’s Day Concert. This free daytime event takes place at Custom House Square, with special guests this year German dance ensemble Cascada.
Tues 17th March – 12pm – City Hall
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