Portlaoise St. Patrick’s Day Parade
It’s going to be a great Patrick’s Day festival this year.
After the Streets of Portlaoise Road races hosted by the Portlaoise Athletic club and sponsored by People First Credit Union, we will continue the festival vibe with a vintage run before the main parade.
The parade kicks off at 12:30 from the County Hall and takes the same route as last year – down the Link road to the Church and then up the Main Street to the Top Square where the viewing stand will be. It will then continue up Grattan Street to the Pickup point at Centrepoint on the Mountrath Road.
From 2 – 5 we will then have the street festival –bouncing castles, disco domes, face painters, and sports skills on show. We are bringing back our wristbands from last year – €3 per child will allow them use of the bouncing castles, face painters, disco domes and the disco in Coppers from 2 – 6.
Thanks to all who are organising, participating in & supporting another great Paddy’s Day parade in Portaloise!
Portlaoise Panthers Basketball club are bringing back the Duck Race in the Triogue at 2p.m. – great fun for all to see whose duck will be first past the post.
In the Lower Square we will have bouncy castles, face painting, and Dancing in the Square. The Ricky Lawless and Grainne Buggy schools of dancing will lead the crowds in some traditional Irish dancing at 2:15. Afterwards we will have live bands playing to keep the festival vibe going. Tea and coffee will be available from PATH on the street. We will also have a wristband seller in the old O’Loughlin’s chemist from 10:30 that morning and there will be tea and coffee available from there too.
It’s all happening at the Dunamase as well; Sports clubs from Portlaoise will give you a chance to hone your skills. There will be ice-cream and treats, craft stalls and this will be the hub of the Busking competition as well. Buskers are invited to come and play for the judges with a €100 prize for th
Portlaoise St. Patrick’s Day Parade information
e winner.
In the Top Square we will have bouncing castles, disco dome, and disco in Coppers, face painting and food stalls too. In our giant marquee we will have music and another wristband selling point. The Tug of War is back again this year. We will have displays by some of our parade participants as well
We could do none of this without the help and support of the businesses and people of Portlaoise. Your support has been invaluable over the years – and we would encourage you all to get out and support your local businesses that have supported us in making this festival happen.
Parade Committee says ‘Thank You’ to all who have helped out in any way.
After the parade is done and dusted we will have our awards night in the Dunamase theatre on Monday 3rd April at 8 p.m. This will celebrate all who have helped out for the parade and prizes will be awarded to the best entrants across several categories.