Kilkenny County Council says its ticketed Grandstand offering at Bateman Quay and fee is based on feedback from visitors at parades in Dublin and Limerick.
KCLR News contacted the local authority following disquiet locally involving the €35 charge for a seat and also a subsequent additional €20 for a post parade reception which initially was billed to include a meet and greet with the Mayor of Kilkenny.
In a statement this morning, a spokesperson doesn’t address the latter but notes the following in full:
“St Patrick’s Festival Kilkenny is all about welcoming people from across Ireland and around the world to experience our city at its very best. The festival programme offers more than 80 free and ticketed events. Kilkenny is emerging as an alternative visitor destination for St Patricks Day and as the festival grows, we are introducing additional events and extra options to the programme.
Kilkennys’ St Patricks Day parade is free to watch with over 30,000 people set to line the route with designated zones for people with additional needs and wheelchairs, there is also a free livestream for people to watch from nursing homes, hospitals and around the world.
The Grandstand offering at Bateman Quay is ticketed with a fee based on feedback from visitors at parades in Dublin and Limerick. Many visitors and locals would like the opportunity to watch the parade and be given a guaranteed vantage point. Similar to other parades at home and abroad an opportunity to attend a post parade event is standard and would normally include local and visiting dignitaries. There was a requirement to ticket these events to manage attendance and cost. The ticket price was solely to contribute to the cost these events.
The four day festival contributes significantly to the local economy in Kilkenny.
Tradfest and St. Patricks Day festival bring around 100,000 visitors to Kilkenny across the four-day festival weekend for a celebration of Irish culture, music and community.
We are looking forward to welcoming people to the Parade tomorrow which commences 1.30pm with a free 90 minute performance by Jerry Fish at 4pm to close out St Patricks Day Kilkenny 2026.”
