Royal county ready to make the country green with envy

NAVAN

In Navan there will be music on the stage on Kennedy Road from 1.15pm tomorrow, and the the parade will start from Navan Enterprise Centre at 2pm making its way along the usual route of Railway Street, Canon Row and back on to Kennedy Road.The Kentstown and Seneschalstown Accordian Band and the Irish National Forresters Band will both be marching and there are lots of local community groups, clubs and schools taking part.

There will be market stalls and games at Kennedy Plaza from 12 and a dedicated children's zone will take place in the Community Hall on Trimgate Street. A sensory session takes place from 11.30am to 12noon and booking is required.

Then at 12.30pm it will open to all children with arts and crafts, balloon modelling and face painting throughout the afternoon with two performances of the Custard Pie Puppet Show at 1.15pm and 3pm. All activities are free.

Karen Ball one of the organisers has paid tribute to the students who came on board and said they had about 30 transition year students involved from both St Pats and Mercy. "It gave us a great bit of a lift. They were a great help and came up wtih some great ideas."

TRIM

Trim's celebration of our patron saint will get under way from 11.30am with a line up of music performances on the stage at the Courthouse in advance of the parade.

Trim Brass Band are first up at 11.30am and will be followed by Eimear Furlong. Then Dance Mania's K-Pop Demons Hunters act at 3pm is sure to be a big hit with the younger audience. Join 'Mira', 'Rumi' and 'Zoey' as they bring fearless energy, powerful performances and the spirit of the Demon Hunter phenomenon to the heart of Trim. Music, myth and pure K-Pop fire — don’t miss it!

The parade itself will set off at 3.30pm from the Ring Road and make its way along Patrick Street, Emmet Street and Market Street, finishing up on Castle Street.

The National Forresters Band will be marching in the parade and there will be plenty of colour with many schools, local clubs and organisations taking part.

The parade this year will be going green and recycling and reuse will be the theme. There is also a shop window competition on the same theme.

Chief Organiser, Jimmy Ryan, is appealing to any other local groups who want to get involved to contact him saying it is a great opportunity to showcase your group. He is also appealing to anyone who can give a hand as stewards on the day to contact him on 083 8015284.

He has also thanked all the local businesses who have made donations and supporting the running of Trim's parade.

KELLS

Businesses and community groups in Kells have been working to make this year’s St Patrick's Day parade the most colourful and creative yet.

The countdown is on for this year's event on Tuesday 17th March at 3pm sharp.

The organisers are asking all participants and spectators to note the 3pm start time and to arrive a little early to ensure the parade can begin promptly and safely for everyone.

Participants who are walking in the parade are asked to gather at the Fairgreen area, while all vehicles should assemble on the Cavan Road. Clear signage and stewards will be in place to assist on the day.

There will be prizes for Best Club Entry and Best Business Entry all groups and businesses are encouraged to make a real effort.

This year marks the fourth year that Kells has hosted a sensory section as part of the parade. The sensory section is designed to make the event more inclusive and accessible for everyone in the community.

From the top of Carrick Street through to Lord Edward Street, participants are asked to avoid loud noises such as sirens, horns, whistles and amplified music. Instead, parade participants are encouraged to blow bubbles as they pass through the area. You are welcome to bring your own bubbles, and the committee will also have bubble mixture available on the day. The green space beside this section has been designated as a quiet area, with room to move around for anyone who may need it.

“We are putting out a strong call for volunteers to act as stewards on the day,” said Cormac Corr. “Without our stewards, the parade simply would not be possible. Volunteering is a fantastic way to give back to the community, be part of something positive and uplifting, and help keep this proud tradition alive in Kells.”

Anyone interested in volunteering or who would like more information can contact: Paddy Jarratt 087 121 6894Email: Pjarratt@lmetb.ie.

ATHBOY

The Athboy Committee is hoping to have one of the most colourful and creative spectacles to date. The committee has reached out to local clubs and organisations urging them to put their thinking caps on and to prepare to make this year’s parade a very special one.

Secretary, Fiona Hamill, says that preparations are well underway.

“Excitement is already building as we look ahead to another fantastic year and a truly special event.

“We are very much looking forward to welcoming our wonderful local clubs. Their energy, creativity, and enthusiasm are what make the parade such a highlight of the year and a real celebration for our community.”

She says they are encouraging all participating groups to begin thinking about how they might engage with spectators along the route.

“Entertaining floats, colourful displays, music, costumes, and interaction with the crowd all help to create a vibrant atmosphere and ensure the parade is enjoyable for people of all ages. The more fun and engaging your entry, the more memorable the day will be.”

Further details, including entry forms, key dates, and practical information, will be shared with the various clubs and organisations in due course.“In the meantime, please start your preparations and let your imaginations run free,” she said. The Athboy parade will take place at 12.30pm on St Patrick's Day.

RATOATH

In Ratoath, the organisers are gearing up for a celebration filled with music, colour, community, and Irish pride. This year’s festival, which starts at 12pm, will be bigger, brighter, and more joyful than ever.

The parade will start at La Bucca and continue through the village with performances at the Auld Stand, The Venue and Supervalu.

The main sponsor of this year's St Patricks Day Festival is Supervalu. The festivities will include a funfair at the soccer club, live music at the Ratoath Inn Car Park, a Gaming Van, Glam Van, food vendors and stalls.

DUNBOYNE

The Dunboyne First Responders Group will be the Grand Marshals for the Dunboyne Parade which kicks off at 2pm.

They will lead out a field of close to 30 groups, composed of musical, sports and other youth groups with local businesses and a few surprises on the day.

The route starts at the Dunboyne Business Park and winds its way down the old Navan Rd through the village.

It will pass the grand stand at the village green and finish at the National Primary School.

The village green will host a demonstration from the local scout group, 1st Meath Dunboyne. The First Responders will be providing CPR demonstrations along with a colouring competition on the day.

There will be free amusements for the younger kids and a local market with over 30 stalls on the day around the green.

Food trucks and coffee stalls will help supplement the local businesses.

There will be a barperson’s race at the start of the parade in front of the grandstand!

This will see a representative from each of the local licensed premises, race for the bragging rights for the following year!

There will be a full day of activities in store for any who visit Dunboyne on the 17th of March!

OLDCASTLE

The Oldcastle St Patrick's Day Parade starts at 12noon on St Patrick’s Day with participants asked to assemble at Gilson Park/Show Hall at 11am.

Participants can register on the day and there will be €800 in prizes, which will be presented after the parade at the town square, where the Credit Union car draw will also take place.

The parade is hosted by the local vintners and activities on the day will also include bouncy castles, sponsored by Liam Hetherton.

Local traditional musicians will provide entertainment along with Anthony Pakenham.

KILCOCK

The parade will start at St Joseph's Graveyard, Boycetown at 1.30pm and theme this year is “On our Screens – from Soaps to Superheroes”. The route will take the parade from Boycetown into Church St through Main St. and on to the viewing stand in The Square.

Seamus and Jane Staunton will be special guests of honour year having recently retired after 36 years of running L’Horizon. They are being honoured in recognition of all their goodwill shown to the parade committees throughout the years.

There will be a wheelchair area located at the front of the viewing stand at the Square, and there will be a quiet area for those who wish to avail of it at the front of Scoil Dara, where parade participants are asked to pause the noise, so that everyone can enjoy the parade. There will be many trophies and prizes for the float entries which will be judged by a panel of three judges.

After the parade at about 2.45pm, a duck race will take place along the canal. All monies raised go towards Kilcock Harbour Arch Hub, a youth group for children with additional needs.

The results and prize giving will take place on Saturday 28th Marc in Kilcock GAA, Branganstown at 9 pm.

BALLIVOR

This year marks the fourth year of Ballivor's St Patrick's Day parade, Meath's newest parade. It starts at 12.30pm at An Ghleib and finishes up outside the garda station. Organisers are encouraging all local groups and organisations to take part and it promises to be a great afternoon of music and colour in the village. Local businesses are also being encouraged to decorate their windows and add to the festival atmosphere. There will be two prizes this year- 'Best Topic of the Year 2026' and 'Best Entrant of the Year 2026'. Raffle tickets are being sold to help fundraiser towards the cost of putting on the parade and the draw will take place on St Patrick's Day.

MULLAGH

Mullagh is gearing up for its St Patrick's Day Parade which begins at 5pm. The parade will assemble from 4.30pm at the Mullagh Sports Centre for all those entering groups and the community groups and organisations taking part. There will be plenty of craic on the day with prizes for best local float, best comedy float and best overall float. It’s a great bit of fun and a brilliant way to celebrate the day as a community.

ENFIELD

The Enfield St Patrick's Day Parade will be led this year by Meath GAA All Star Sean Rafferty who this year became Meath's first All-Star in almost 18 years. The parade will set off as usual from the GAA grounds at 3pm and proceed along the Main Street finishing up at the Bridge House. Local groups and organisations will be taking part in what promises to be a colourful affair with prizes for the best floats and entries.

KINGSCOURT

Kingscourt St Patrick's Day Parade will set off as usual from the Dublin Road at 1pm and make its way along the Main Street. Always a colourful affair with great participation from local community groups and organisations as well as local businesses. The local St Mary's Brass and Reed Band band will be among a number of bands taking part.

ARDEE

Ardee’s St Patrick’s Day parade gets underway at 3pm, with live music on the streets from 2pm to get celebrations started. A wide range of local groups and organisations will take part in this year’s parade, including Scoil Mhuire na Trócaire, Newtown National School, Stabannon Macra, John Mitchel’s GFC and Square United, along with many other community groups. Entertainment will also include performances from St Joseph’s Pipe Band from Co Down, Ardee Concert Band, and a representation from the 27th Battalion of the Irish Army. Circus performers and roaming Vikings will add to the festive atmosphere throughout the town on the day.

The event is supported by Louth County Council and local businesses, with Ardee Credit Union as the main sponsor. Groups wishing to take part or seeking further information can contact ardeeparade@gmail.com.

SLANE

Slane will celebrate the 31st year of its St Patrick’s Day parade when the festivities get underway at 3.30pm from St Patrick’s National School on the Collon Road, making their way through the village before finishing on the Navan Road.

As always, the parade will be led by St Patrick himself, along with the Kentstown Accordion Band and the Malahide Pipers Band. Organisers promise plenty of colour and entertainment with a wide variety of floats, street performers, musicians and marching bands taking part.

Live music will take place in the village square and the village garden before and after the parade, while families can also look forward to free treats and goodies for children in the village garden.

The event is always a major community effort, supported by local volunteers, groups and businesses. With food stalls, entertainment and activities planned throughout the afternoon, organisers say there will be something for everyone as the historic village closely associated with the story of St Patrick lighting the Paschal Fire nearby celebrates Ireland’s national day!

ASHBOURNE

Ashbourne High Street has teamed up with a local business and cycling club to ensure Ashbourne celebrates St Patrick’s Day 2026.

With the Ashbourne Parade called off just one month ago, townspeople and locals from the surrounding area wondered: if there would be any free, public event to take part in or to support on the day.

Ashbourne High Street alongside MDB Performance Academy and Ashbourne Wheelers Cycling Club have stepped up. A new event is planned for 12noon-2pm on St Patrick’s Day.

Alll donations welcome to: https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/11633156