Festivals

March 2022

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.

Parades are back!!

Achill Island

On the rugged Achill Island St. Patrick's Day will be celebrated on Thursday 17th March 2022.

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.

This year the Dooagh Pipe Band is celebrating its 75th year of music and tradition. A series of events to mark the occasion will take place over St Patrick’s Day and right throughout the weekend.

Westport

The 2022 Parade will start at 1.30 pm in Westport on St Patrick Day. The theme will be "Climate Change, Save Our Planet” and schools, sports clubs and voluntary organisation are being invited to participate.

Ballina

The Ballina St Patrick's Day Parade will commence at 4.30 pm on Thursday 17th March 2022.

It will follow the usual route Convent Hill, Garden St, Bridge St and finish off outside the Mary Robinsons Centre.

The parade's theme will be "Meitheal”.

Ballina and its streets will come alive with music, colour, tradition and history and celebrate all community groups.

St Patricks Day Fireworks extravaganza will take place from 7 pm overlooking the Salmon Weir Bridge.

Newport

The Newport St Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on Thursday 17th March at 2.00pm.

Colourful floats and a marching band will parade along the town streets.

There will be a large range of post parade activities such as ceol, damhsa, fun and street performances too.

The event is fully an event packed with family fun, music and entertainment.

Castlebar

The 2022 St Patrick's Day Parade will take place on Thursday 17th March at 2pm.

It will follow 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 "Positivity and Inclusiveness".

Crossmolina

Crossmolina will celebrate St Patrick’s Day with the spectacular Festival of Lights and the Electric Light Parade on Thursday 17th March 2022. The parade will take place 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.

Ballaghaderreen

The 2022 Ballaghaderreen St Patrick’s Day Parade will be bigger and better than ever before.

The Parade will start on Thursday 17th March at 2.30pm, coming in from the Sligo Road and will then travel up through the town, with stops at the square for performances.

This year's theme will be "100 years of Irish Independence – Rolling in the years”.

Swinford

The 2022 Swinford St Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on Thursday 17th March.

The gathering point will be at Swinford Amenity Park at 2.00 pm. Swinford Comhaltas will perform live music from 2.30 pm at the main stage.

This year, the theme will be: "We’re Back”.

Ballinrobe

In Ballinrobe the St Patrick's Day Parade will take place at 3.30pm starting on Kilmaine Road on Thursday 17th March.

The theme will be: Celebrating our Community, past, present and future.

Other towns

• Enniscrone : Thursday 17th March at 1 pm.

• Shrule: Thursday 17th March at 11.45 am starting at the church.

• Kiltimagh: Thursday 17th March at 3.00pm

• Eachleim: Thursday 17th March from 12:30 pm. Gathering at Tarmon Carpark from 12pm.

• Belmullet: Thursday 17th March at 3:00 pm. There will be music and dancing on the Square from 2:00 pm.

• Bangor Erris: Thursday 17th March commencing from 1:00pm, after Mass.

• Cong: Thursday 17th March at 12.00 pm

• Balla: Thursday 17th March at 12.00pm after Mass. Starting point at the National School.

• Charlestown: Thursday 17th March at 1.00 pm. Assembling point at CBD Sports Complex from 12.00 pm.

• Mulranny: Thursday 17th March commencing at Mulranny Church from 12.00pm. The Mulranny Teirnaur Pipe Band will lead the parade through the village.