Carlow and Kilkenny set for parades and more on St Patrick's Day

St Patrick’s Day is just around the corner and final preparations are going into a host of events.

Of course, the associated festivals in Kilkenny city and Carlow town are underway both incorporating the main event on Monday with a number of towns and villages too marking the occasion.

St Patrick’s Day Activities

9:15am Killeshin Parade

The 39th such event starts at the new school and moves towards the church for 10am Mass with the Killeshin Pipe Band, school children and various local groups taking part.

11am Graiguecullen Parade

Assembly takes place from 10:30am at the Town Park, leaving at 11am travelling via Sleaty St, Colclough Ave, St. Clare’s Road, Pearse Road, Maher Road, Ninety-Eight Street, Marlborough Street, turning right onto Bridge Street and finishing at St. Clare’s Church (on the Leighlin Road side) for 11:30am Mass.

Local legend Paddy Norris will lead proceedings out as Grand Marshall with input too from the Killeshin Pipe Band and Dargan School of Dancing

12pm Thomastown Wheelbarrow Dash Parade

It’s all about the Wheelbarrow fun in Thomastown again this year with registration from 11:15am at the quay carpark for 12noon start.

12:15pm Graignamanagh & Tinnahinch Parade

The New Ross Pipe Band is set to lead out this year’s parade from Fairgreen Carpark (floats begin on the Borris Road), travelling to Tinnahinch, while the locally based TD, Deputy Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere, is the Grand Marshall.

The Graignamanagh Brass Band will play outside Duiske Inn with Irish dancing in front of the viewing stand.

1pm Bagenalstown Parade

The fun kicks off with Joe Nolan’s music from 12:30pm at Market Square with the parade from 1pm beginning at McGrath Hall, led by Mary Foster, star of the swimming pool, with the Killeshin Pipe Band and others also involved.

The route’s been tweaked this year and will flow as follows;

1:30pm Borris

This year’s event starts at Factory Cross, runs down the town and back up again and as always promises a mix of trucks and walkers following the annual big push on to get people involved,

An art contest was held this year to decide the Grand Marshall and the role will be shared by five people!

1:30pm Urlingford Parade

Participants meet from 1pm at Emerald’s GAA pitch to travel from 1:30pm up the town to turn around at the nursing home where some participants are expected to perform.

Theme is Ireland Through the Ages with Grand Marshalls husband and wife team Mick and Hyacinth Roche, long term local community activists.

There are prizes in a number of categories with a host of people involved, including the Moyne National School Band.

1:30pm Kilkenny City Parade (part of St Patrick’s Festival 13th-17th)

Grand Marshall: Mia Griffin, Olympian cyclist and Rás na mBan winner from Glenmore, Kilkenny will lead out the main event as part of St Patrick’s Festival Kilkenny which goes hand-in-hand with Kilkenny Tradfest.

Theme of the parade is ‘Bi Beo, Bi Linn – Be With Us, Be Alive & Be Part of the Celebration’. There’s a route change this year with participants gathering at the top of John Street moving down over John’s Bridge, Bateman Quay (watch out for Team KCLR’s Roadshow here!), High Street, The Parade and finishing on the Castle Road.

There’s pre and post parade festivities including Festival Funfair & Big Wheel, Kids Zone, Festival Market, The Brass Monkeys, Street Entertainment, Samba Katz, St Patrick’s Brass & Reed Band, and more.

2pm St Patrick’s Day Vintage Tractor & Vintage Run

The event is back again in aid of the local Scoil Naomh Bríd and there’s a change of registration venue to Knockananna Hall from 12noon.

The event then runs from 2pm with prizes for best dressed vehicle.

And stay around after to enjoy the refreshments and atmosphere.

2pm Tullow Parade

Tullow’s crew are set to gather from 1pm ahead of the 2pm parade start from the Dublin Road, moving through the town before finishing at Tesco roundabout – see below.

Theme is ’40 Shades of Green’ to mark four decades of the organising group. You can expect pipers, Irish dancers, more floats (no live animals/quads/e-scooters!) and a host of street fun with Reuben children’s entertainer and magicians from RTE Junior, clowns, magicians, 21 foot snake (handmade) and other activities.

There are prizes for best floats, best window display and more.

3pm Carlow Town Parade (as part of Carlow St Patrick’s Festival)

A family fun day runs at the Exchange and Potato Market from 1:30pm – 5:30pm with live music with Roisin Dubh and more, bouncy castles, entertainment rides for kids, street entertainment, buskers, Irish dancing, clowns + food stalls including a new grill.

The parade start is at 3pm from Burrin Bridge / Carlow town Post Office area, with groups assembling at Pembroke.

Theme is ‘Carlow – A Place for Everyone’ with Grand Marshall being the Carlow Rose Caoimhe Deering with Carlow Vintage Cars Association.

For the third year, a section of the route along part of Barrack Street designated to those with sensory issues eg no flashing lights, reduced sounds etc, with a special viewing area here too for those using wheelchairs.

3pm Ballon Parade

Starting at the Land League Gates at 3pm, the turning point for pedestrians is at the Spar Ballon N80 Service Station and at Ballykealey Lane for vehicles.

Float categories Most Comical, Most Topical, Best Community Group, Best Walking Group/Individual, Best Business Float, Best Turned-out Vintage Car, Best Overall & Best Decorated Premises on the Parade Route.

3:30pm Goresbridge Parade

There’ll be music on the bandstand from 2:30pm to help you get into the mood for the 3:30pm parade which starts from the Glanbia yard and runs up and through the town.

There’s a host of prizes for participants and category winners with treats too for children as well as mascots and other community fun.

New this year is a Tug of War which will take place straight after the parade on the Main Street, in front of the band stand. Teams will represent the two local pubs, The Barrow Breeze and Maher’s.