Are you excited for St. Patrick’s Day? Ireland’s national feast day is celebrated throughout County Carlow with a series of parades in honour of St Patrick, the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland. Parades take place in Carlow Town, Graiguecullen, Bagenalstown, Ballon, Graiguenamanagh, Tullow, Borris and Killeshin.
Graiguecullen: 10.a.m – 10.30 a.m. Leaves Carlow Town Park at 10 a.m. before travelling to Graiguecullen Parish Church car park.Bagenalstown: Bagenalstown St Patricks Day Parade will start at 1 p.m. sharp at McGrath Hall proceeding along the Royal Oak Road, Long Range, Regent Street and Main Street before finally finishing at the reviewing stand at Market Square.Borris: Kicking off at 1.30 p.m. the Borris St. Patrick’s Day Parade features an exciting mix of local clubs, businesses and community groups, which travel through the streets of this charming Georgian town.Tullow: The Tullow St. Patrick’s Day Parade will set off from the Dublin Road at 2 p.m., led by none other than St. Patrick himself, making its way through the heart of the town. Spectators can look forward to a vibrant display of floats, community groups, and entertainers, with fantastic prizes up for grabs for standout entries. Beyond the parade, a lively atmosphere awaits, with a host of activities and entertainment planned throughout the day, ensuring fun for all ages.Ballon: 3 p.m. Starts on the Bunclody Road and travels through the village of Ballon past the viewing stand and continues to Ballykealey Lane, before turning and travelling back up through the village. Features local groups and visiting groups – everybody welcome.Carlow’s St. Patrick’s Day Festival is a vibrant celebration combining a spectacular parade and family fun. Kicking off at 1.30pm, live music fills the Liberty Tree area with performances from local bands, Irish dancers and a ukulele band.The parade begins at 3 p.m. from the junction of Kennedy Avenue and Burrin Street and continues along Kennedy Avenue past the viewing stage, before turning left onto Barrack Street at the bus park roundabout. The parade proceeds up Barrack Street to Shamrock Plaza, where it turns left onto Tullow Street, continuing to the end of Tullow Street and down Castle Hill before dispersing.
A sensory-friendly zone on Barrack Street ensures inclusivity. Grand Marshall is Carlow Rose Caoimhe Deering while lead band is the Killeshin Pipe Band. Live music on the main stage at the Liberty Tree follows the parade. Entertainment includes ballads from John Kelly of Roisin Dubh and The Best Lab, along with many more in the Exchange. Festivities continue with street performers, face painting and bouncing castles, continuing until 5.30 p.m.