March 2019

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.

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 timetable :

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

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

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

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

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

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

• 10.30am, March from Pollagh to Dookinella.

• 12noon, 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 of course and taking time to spot the spectacular scenery of Achill Island. In the evening pubs and restaurants will offer live music.

An ordinary St Patrick’s Day Parade with bands, floats and groups will take place at Achill Sound, on Monday 18th March at 1 pm.

Westport

The 2018 St Patrick's Day Parade will take place on Sunday 17th March from 1.30 pm. This year the parade’s theme will be: Celebrating Biodiversity.

The Westport Town Band, Clew Bay Pipe Band, Samba Beats and the street theatre from the Workhouse Studios will take part in the parade.

There will be lots of colourful floats, street musicians, artists, actors, bands, drummers, buskers and street performers too. The day will be full of fun, colour and music.

From Thursday 14th March the 2019 Celebration of St Patrick’s Day is full of events including Mc Lui Children’s Arts Festival, storytelling sensory sessions, open art, dance workshop, traditional Irish music sessions, little Gem puppets workshop, Lego Builder Drop-in workshop, Dragonfly children’s yoga sessions and concerts.

Castlebar

The 2019 St Patrick’s Day will take place on Sunday 17th March and assemble at the McHale Road Industrial Estate/An Sportlann area from 1.15 p.m.

The parade will start at 2 pm and take the usual route along Station Road, Spencer Street, The Mall, Ellison Street, Market Square, Newtown, Chapel Street, Newline, New Antrim, Street, Linenhall Street with a reviewing stand at Main Street.

This year’s theme is “100 years of Castlebar history” marking the development of Castlebar into today’s modern town.

The 2019 grand Marshal will be well known local man Tomas Langan. Tomas is a multi-talented musician and community activist.

Newport

The 2019 St Patrick's Day Parade will take place on Sunday 17th March at 2.30 from Campus on the Westport Road. Floats and Vintage Cars are welcome and can start to gather from 2 pm.

Ballina

The 2019 St Patrick's Day parade and fireworks will take place on Sunday 17th March from 4.30 pm. It is an event full packed with family fun, music, dance groups and entertainment.

The parade will kick off at Mercy Road and wind through town passing Convent Hill. Fireworks extravaganza will take place from 7pm at the Salmon Weir Bridge.

Sporting clubs, children clubs and group will take part in the parade. Locals bars will offer live music throughout the day and after the parade.

Swinford

The Swinford St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on Sunday 17th March 2019.

This year the town is celebrating “Swinford 250 and More” and that will be the theme for the 2019 parade.

Also, the town is hosting the Swinford St Patrick’s Festival Weekend running from Thursday 14th March to Sunday 17th March.

Crossmolina

Crossmolina will celebrate St Patrick’s Day with the spectacular Festival of Lights and the Electric Light Parade from Friday 15th March to Sunday 17th March 2019 for the second year in a row.

The parade will take place on Sunday 17th March at 7.30pm.

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.

Claremorris

The 2019 St Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on Sunday 17th March. This year the parade will be fantastic with over 50 floats parading along the streets.

The day will be packed with entertainments for adults and children alike including: All Ireland Champions Ramelton Marching Band, Motorbike Show, St Patrick’s 40 piece Band, Bouncing Castle, Zorbes and Fantasy Children’s Characters.

There will also be food stalls and much more.

Foxford

Due to a busy weekend locally, the 2019 St Patrick’s Day Parade will run as an Easter Parade. The event will take place on Saturday 20th April 2019.

Other towns

• Charlestown: Sunday 17th March at 12 noon.

• Killala: Sunday 17th March at 1 pm. Meeting point at Killala Community Centre at 12.30 pm.

• Lahardane: Sunday 17th March at 2pm.

• Ballycastle: Sunday 17th March approximately 12:30pm after Mass, meeting point at Community Hall.

• Eachleim : Sunday 17th March at 3 pm.

• Kiltimagh: Sunday 17th March at 3 p.m.

• Balla : Sunday 17th March at 12 noon

• Ballinrobe : Sunday 17th March at 3.30 p.m.

• Kilkelly : Sunday 17th March at 5.30 p.m.

• Mulranny : Sunday 17th March at 12.15 p.m.

• Inishturk : Sunday 17th March at 1.30 p.m.

• Shrule : Sunday 17th March at 11.45 a.m.

• Louisburgh : Sunday 17th March at 12.30 p.m.

• Kilmaine : Sunday 17th March at 2.30 p.m.

• Binghamstown : Sunday 17th March at 4 p.m.

• Cong : Sunday 17th March at 12.30 p.m.

• Bangor Erris : Sunday 17th March at 12.30 p.m.