St Patricks Day Parade Galway 2025

The St Patrick’s Festival parade in Galway on March 17th will mark the highlight of a 3 day celebration of Irish culture and will serve as a platform to showcase the creativity of local artists and community groups. The parade starts at 11.30am and runs through Galway city centre for over 1 hour. The theme for the parade has yet to be confirmed but it will see up to 3000 participants taking part in what will be a colourful spectacle throughout the city centre.

St Patrick’s Day Parade – Route

The parade route (first used in 2019) will remain in place for 2025, with participants marching from University Road, over the Salmon Weir Bridge, to Eglinton Street and onwards past the viewing stand at Eyre Square and concluding on Prospect Hill.

A weekend celebration of community

For three days of the St. Patrick’s Festival (15th to 17th March 2025) there will be family-oriented entertainment at the plaza on Eyre Square and possibly a vintage carousel, amusements and children’s entertainment which has yet to be confirmed.

Music
Over the weekend, enjoy free traditional music concerts in a ‘stretch tent’ located in Eyre Square, kicking off at 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, and 8pm on Saturday 15th, Sunday 16th and Monday 17th March 2025.

Expect many additional events to be held throughout the city over the bank holiday weekend.

Film Screenings
Over the weekend the Town Hall Theatre will present complimentary screenings of documentaries showcasing the essence of Galway. These screenings are open to the public, providing a wonderful opportunity to delve into the rich history and culture of the city.

Family fun day and Amusements in Salthill

Over the course of the weekend Leisureland and Salthill Park will host a Family Fun Day. Everyone is in for a fantastic day filled with games and activities.

In addition to other in-theme activities, families will enjoy the Fun Day’s take on rowing, glow games, athletics, Drumadore, yoga, pickleball, and face painting.

Curry’s Funpark (Salthill Amusements) at Leisureland will also open for the weekend on 15th March and with a family fun day with sports on Saturday 16th March 2024.

Tribesmen Head of the River

Don’t miss the return of Galway Head of the River rowing event taking place on Saturday 15th March. Rowing clubs from all over Ireland converge to take part in the long distance rowing race from Lough Corrib all the way to Woodquay in Galway City.

Greening of the city

Lighting artists have been commissioned to bring festive colours to the city, with the iconic sails in Eyre Square being lit up and Bádóirí an Chladaigh are expected to light up the boats of The Claddagh Basin as part of the St Patrick’s Day celebrations.

A fun sports day programme is expected for Saturday 16th March by Galway Sports Partnership and Healthy Galway to entertain all the family. A big choice of sports may take place for all ages such as tag rugby, tug of war, athletics, pilates, yoga, tai chi, dance, facepainting, corn hole and activator poles. Yet to be confirmed.

Drumadore, Galway’s Drumming masters are also expected to give drumming lessons along the Salthill Promenade and all are welcome to go along and give it a go. Yet to be confirmed.

Activities usually take place from 12pm and 4pm on the prom and in Salthill Park.

Parade Participants

The 2025 parade will be led by the parade grand marshal in an open top bus, which will be confirmed close to the date. The parade is expected to feature an array of community, cultural, sporting and international groups including Ireland’s pioneering spectacle theatre company Macnas, led by the Macnas Young Ensemble. Recognised worldwide for its quality and innovation, Macnas will be accompanied by some of their fantastical creations, such as their flowery giant owl alongside a cacophony of rhythm passion and purpose from the next generation Macnas drummers.

The parade has grown from small beginnings to the present day, when on average it has 70,000 spectators thronging the 1.5 mile route. People of all ages mingle together to enjoy the spectacle of music, dance and performance art as the procession winds its way through the city.

This year the Festival is a platform to showcase local artists and community groups and they aim to celebrate this through an varied programme of music, street theatre and art and hope you enjoy the Festival and the people of Galway wish you a very happy St Patrick’s day.

St Patrick’s Festival Galway Event

St Patrick’s Day Parade Galway

Bands, dance groups, performance artists and community groups come from all over the world to Galway each year to experience a parade that is widely regarded as one of the best in Ireland. The beauty of the Galway Parade is that it is small enough for groups to truly feel a part of, yet big enough to create a special atmosphere. The Parade route is thronged with spectators from start to finish, creating a non-stop carnival atmosphere.

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