St. Patrick's Day Parade

The St. Patrick’s Day parade will take place on Tuesday 17th of March 2026. The parade is proposed to start at 11.00am and usually finishes at 1.00pm. The starting point will be at University of Galway and the collection point is the Black Box Car Park.

St. Patrick's Day Parade

The St. Patrick’s Day parade will take place on Tuesday 17th of March 2026. The parade is proposed to start at 11.00am and usually finishes at 1.00pm. The starting point will be at University of Galway and the collection point is the Black Box Car Park.

Parade Expression of Interest 2026

The St. Patrick’s Day parade will take place on 17th of March 2026. 

The below form is an application to participate in the parade. The final line up and details of the parade are announced in the days leading up to the parade but will be subject to change.

The parade is organised and funded by Galway City Council and is free to participate. The theme for the 2026 parade is ‘Legends and Rising Stars’.

Parade Information:

Parade Information: 

  1. Set up area is in front of the Quadrangle, NUI Galway, University Road and Dispersal is at the Black Box Theatre, Dyke Road.
  2. The parade route is as follows: 
    University Road > Cathedral > Salmon Weir Bridge > Courthouse Square > St. Francis Street > Eglinton Street > Williamsgate Street > Eyre Square > Prospect Hill.
  3. Timetable:
    a.    09:00 - Set-Up Area Opens. 
    b.    10:00 - All participants to be on site. 
    c.    11:00 - All groups must be in position.
    d.    11:30 - Parade Starts: the total parade route should take approximately 45 minutes to walk.
  4. There will be toilets at the set-up area and again at the Black Box Theatre.
  5. If your group is arriving by coach, please drop off on University Road prior to 10:00.
  6. We recommend parking at the Dyke Road Car Park.
  7. There will be a cloakroom van parked at the set-up area where groups can leave coats, umbrellas etc. This van will be waiting at the Black Box Theatre for coat collection following the Parade.
  8. If your pageant features a float, it can be collected from the yard to the rear of the Black Box Theatre after the Parade.
  9. To minimise litter, please refrain from handing out flyers or using confetti/streamers.
  10. The weather can be mixed, so please wrap up warm under your costumes/uniforms. Please ensure that your participants have enough water to last to the end of the Parade.
  11. Applications will be reviewed based on visual quality and suitability. We encourage applicants to think ahead about how their entry can best represent their community or organisation. Please note that we may need to decline applications if an entry is considered unsuitable for participation.
  12. The parade must not be used to make political statements or promote any lobby group or campaign.
  13. Participants must observe the instructions of the parade stewards and area managers at all times to ensure the smooth and safe running of the event.
  14. Once the parade starts it will not stop until it reaches the finishing point, there are no planned stops along the parade route: any performance must take place en route.
  15. Accessible Areas will be announced closer to the time.
  16. No open flames or pyrotechnics of any kind.
  17. Any vehicles to be used as part of a pageant must be agreed with the organisers in advance. Unauthorised vehicles will not be permitted.

All details are subject to change.

Completed application forms to be returned to events@galwaycity.ie

Download the 2026 application form here: