Your Ultimate Guide To St. Patrick's Day In The Midlands

Here is you go-to list for what's taking place in the Midlands this weekend!

St. Patrick’s Day is one of the most important holidays in Ireland and the Midlands towns and villages will come alive with vibrant parades that showcase Irish heritage, local talent, and a sense of pride in it's roots.

Celebrations are underway in the midlands as thousands of people will line the streets of the region to celebrate our national Saint over the next couple of days. 

Here's your guide to Midlands events this weekend: 

Laois: 

Portlaoise parade will be accompanied by a vibrant street festival beginning at 12:30 PM, offering street performances, live music, food and craft stalls, carnival rides, and plenty of other attractions.

Christy Bannon committee member and MC for the festivities says it's a joint effort: 

Rathdowney are holding their parade on Sunday, March 16, St Brigid’s Leinster camogie champions are the Grand Marshals.

The parade will begin at 12pm from St Fergal’s College and will be part of the town’s family fun festival from 11am to 2pm.

Jack Ryan, Operations Director with Midland Hardware, has a float in the Rathdowney St Patrick's Day Parade and says he looks forward to hosting breakfast on the big morning: 

Portarlington's parade will be a pedestrian-only event, with a snake-themed procession that will begin at 3 PM, traveling along Main Street from the Bank of Ireland to the People’s Park.

The Heath will continue its tradition from last year with a breakfast parade for the early risers, starting at 8:45 AM from the GAA clubhouse and arriving at the church by 9:30am.

Stradbally's parade will make a start at 11am. 

Ballyroan's Parade starts at 10am. 

Vicarstown celebrations kicks off at 9am.

Timahoe’s parade is on from 10am, and will depart from the community hall. 

Spink’s festivities will begin at 10:15 am from the Church car park, followed by refreshments in the hall.

Killeshin’s parade begins at 9:30 am.

Mountrath's parade will begin at 12pm from the GAA grounds, with a theme of GREEN featuring live music and entertainment in the town square.

Graiguecullen's parade members will assemble at 10:30 am, with the parade starting at 11am. 

Clonaslee parade will begin at 12pm, a €600 cash prize will be awarded to the Best Overall Float of the day, with €150 cash prizes for the winners in each category: Best Vintage, Best Dressed Dog, Best Club/School, Most Original, and Most Entertaining.

Rosenallis parade will take place at 3.30pm. 

Westmeath: 

Delvin St Patrick's Day Parade will be a day early on Sunday March 16 and will start at 3pm. 

Promised to bring vibrant floats, lively music, and spirited dancers filling the streets with craic agus ceoil. 

Chairperson of the Delvin St. Patrick's Day Parade David Jones, says a special guest from overseas is set to make an appearance: 

Delvin St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee: 

Athlone St. Patrick’s Day Parade on the banks of the River Shannon, is a colorful and lively event, with floats, street performers, and marching bands that reflect the diverse cultural heritage of the town. Athlone’s parade also includes a special focus on it's local history and the significance of the river in shaping the town’s identity.

The 5 day festival offers a mix of traditional and modern elements, with something for everyone.

John Henson, Chair of Croi Na hEireann Festival in Athlone, has been part of the parade for years and says it's great to see young people joining the committee: 

Mullingar St. Patrick’s Day Festival is at 3.00pm. 

According to tradition, St. Patrick passed through the Midlands in 433 AD, traveling from Tara to the Hill of Uisneach. His route is thought to have followed what is now the N52 road, crossing the River Brosna near present-day Mullingar.

This historic journey is honored each year, with parade participants symbolically retracing the saint's steps along Mullingar’s main streets—Pearse Street, Oliver Plunkett Street, Dominick Street, and Patrick Street—before heading southwest toward the Hill of Uisneach.

Moate’s parade will be led by Moate Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, featuring over 60 talented musicians playing traditional Irish music. 

As they make their way through the town, the group will pause at the viewing stand to deliver a performance. The parade itself starts at 1:30 pm, the festivities will kick off at 12:30 pm with a special performance from Castledaly GAA Club, offering a taste of high-quality traditional music before the main event.

Offaly: 

Tullamore hosts one of the biggest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the Midlands. The parade in Tullamore is a family-friendly event that features a mix of local marching bands, dancers, and beautifully decorated floats, along with a host of cultural performances. The parade winds through the town's streets, with local schools, businesses, and community groups all taking part in the celebrations. The parade is on March 17, starting at 11.30am. 

It showcases the best of Offaly’s local talent, including traditional Irish music and dance. The festivities extend beyond the parade, with plenty of food stalls, live music, and fun activities for everyone to enjoy.

Offaly's U20 hurling star Dan Ravenhill says he feels honoured to be appointed as joint grand marshall alongside his team-mates Cillian Martin, Dan Bourke and Rugby star Jordan Conroy: 

Traffic diversions in Tullamore: The current traffic diversion on Colmcille St. in Tullamore will end this Friday for the weekend and for the Parade on Monday 17th March. 

The footpath upgrading on the Bury Quay side will be completed this Friday and all diversion signs will then be removed.   

Work on the footpath upgrading on the Convent Road side will commence on Tuesday 18th March and thus diversions will be in place again for this work.Some Roads will be closed in the town centre for the Parade on Monday 17th March from 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. 

The Gardai and Parade Stewards will assist with traffic movement and motorists are requested to co-operate with the Gardai and Stewards so that the Parade can be managed safely.

Banagher's St. Patrick's Day Parade will take place on Monday, March 17, at 3 pm. Entry is free for all, with a generous cash prize for the best float. “There will be face painting, music, and entertainers on the day, so start preparing your float,” said one of the organizers. The overall winner will receive a trophy and €150, and there are additional prizes for various categories:

• Best Underage Group (trophy)
• Most Original Entry (trophy and €50)
• Best Float (trophy)
• Best Vintage Car (trophy and €50)
• Best Vintage Tractor (trophy and €50)
• Best Window Display (trophy)
• Best Dressed Spectator – Adult (trophy and voucher)
• Best Dressed Spectator – Child (trophy and voucher)
• Best Dressed Pet (trophy and grooming voucher)

Edenderry’s St Patrick’s Day parade is kicking off in the Square from 12.30pm with vibrant floats, lively music, and spirited dancers filling the streets.

The carnival will be open from 12.30pm, and the parade will start at 2.20pm.

Owner of Larkin's Bar, Restaurant and Funeral Home in Edenderry, Patrick Larkin says there will be a great buzz in the town this weekend: 
 

Birr's St. Patrick’s weekend is kicking on on Friday to Monday, March 14–17, with a trail included in general admission and friends membership. No booking is required, and admission tickets and trails are available on arrival. 

Mountbolus's St.Patrick's day parade is starting at 11am. 

Kilcormac's parade will begin at 3.30pm.