St Patrick's Day 2019: What's happening across Northern Ireland
Happy St Patrick's Day ☘️🍺
Last updated 15th Mar 2019
In case you didn't already know St. Patrick's Day falls on a Sunday this year. Celebrate with green beer, maybe a Guinness, maybe a shamrock decoration or two.
Belfast City Centre
The streets of Belfast will be awash with colour on Sunday with over 1,000 people taking part, in the annual St.Patrick's Day parade, including music bands, dancers, circus entertainers, floats and lots of giant puppets.
The carnival leaves from Belfast City Hall at 12.30pm on Sunday and will travel along Chichester Street and Victoria Street, into High Street and Donegall Street, before finishing at Writers Square.
Look out for St Patrick, pipe bands, dancers and more on their colourful journey through the city.
Free concert at Custom House Square
After the parade, there's a free open-air concert from 1.30pm – 4pm in Custom House Square.
Headlining this year’s concert will be Europe’s popular party act; The Vengaboys, who’ll be singing their hits ‘Kiss’, ‘Boom Boom Boom Boom’ and ‘We’re Going to Ibiza’ live on stage alongside County Down singing sensation Catherine McGrath, Ryan Sheridan and traditional Irish dancers.
Entry is on a first-come, first-served basis (no ticket required). Gates will open from 1.15pm and under 16's must be accompanied by an adult.
Downpatrick
Celebrate at the burial place of Saint Patrick with the Cross community Carnival Parade from 1pm, which passes through the centre of the town.
With the theme of ‘Myths and Legends’ this cavalcade of floats, bands and community groups provides a spectacular display. The parade route follows the Ardglass Road, Edward Street, John Street, Irish Street and Market Street finishing at Rathkeltair carpark.
This event is free for all.
Armagh
Celebrate Saint Patrick's Day in Armagh with a spectacular display of colour, music, dance and entertainment as their wonderful procession snakes its way through the city on Saturday 16th March from 1:30pm.
The route runs from the Palace Demesne, Irish Street, Ogle Street, Thomas Street, Market Street, Market Street to English Street, onto Cathedral Road, and past the Shambles Yard before finishing at the grounds of Cathedral Road Recreation Centre.
Family festivities continue into the afternoon and all day Sunday from 1:45pm in the Shambles Yard as the city celebrates.
Derry~Londonderry
Come join the carnival parade of dancing daffodils, busy bees and slithering snakes as local communities take to the streets in a celebration of Spring.
Mystical creatures will snake their way through the city’s streets along with a host of characters representing young people from fables and fairy tales from faraway lands. Today’s youth and culture will have pride of place, so expect to be delighted by dance moves from everything from ballet to hip hop.
This year will see pageant pieces from over 600 participants from local schools, youth clubs and arts and cultural organisations.
Departs Bishops Street from 2pm. Proceeds down Bishop Street, Shipquay Street, Whitaker Street, Harbour Square Roundabout, Custom House Street, Waterloo Place, Strand Road and finishing at Strand Road Car park.
Omagh
Omagh’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations will bring Omagh town centre to life with music, song, dance and fun for all the family from 1pm to 4pm. The Theme of this year’s parade is ‘The Land of Saints and Scholars’ and the colourful carnival parade featuring local community and sporting groups, schools, dance groups, businesses and organisations will weave its way through the town centre starting from Sedan Avenue at 1.30pm.
Participants and spectators alike can enjoy free street entertainment, face painting and balloon modelling throughout the day.
Enniskillen
St Patrick’s Day Parade and Fun Day returns to Enniskillen – the streets will be transformed with floats, vintage vehicles, acrobats, colour and fun.
The annual parade begins from 3.30pm and starts at Lakeland Forum.
Whatever your plans, there's always a huge variety of activities to take part in, make sure to check out Discover Northern Ireland's events page to keep up to date with everything going on.
Dublin
If you're planning on heading down south, you won't be alone. Huge crowds are expected. Streets and pubs will be buzzing with people enjoying the festivities in Ireland's capital city.
This year's theme is storytelling and popular comics Deirdre O'Kane and Jason Byrne will be Grand Marshals.
The parade starts at Parnell Square at noon on Sunday, before weaving its way down O'Connell Street, across O'Connell Bridge, onto College Green before heading up Dame Street.
Prepare for traffic delays, best availing of rail/bus/public transport.
Dublin City Council’s pay-and-display parking spaces are free on Sunday but some restrictions will be in place.
If you arrive late, head towards the end of the parade route for a better chance of a prime viewing spot.