The Kinsale St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee is all systems go for the 2024 celebrations of our National Holiday! We are so excited to be celebrating our 10th St. Patrick’s Day Parade since the revival of the event by the current committee under the stewardship of Fred Treacy, in 2012.
Friday night, February 16th, sees the annual Fun Family Bingo Fundraising Night where great fun and great prizes are guaranteed. The Trident Hotel is the venue for the event, with doors opening at 7.30pm, eyes down at 8.00pm. A night not to be missed! The annual Church Gate Collection will take place on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th February.
Saturday March 16th is the night we’ve all been waiting for as it is when the unique Maritime Parade in the harbour takes place. Enjoy the wonderful sight of beautifully lit boats sailing in under the night sky. Festivities commence at 7.30pm, there will be music, free family fun and of course the evening will culminate in a spectacular fireworks display at approximately 8.00pm.
The committee is delighted that the Grand Marshals for this year’s Street Parade on St. Patrick’s Day will be headed by Carmel Murphy of ‘The Well’ at Kinsale Community Health & Wellbeing Centre, a volunteer led community-based charity, located in the former HSE Health Centre Building, in the heart of Kinsale. The aim of the project is to provide accommodation for three community groups which are involved in promoting mental health & wellbeing in the community. These organisations are Kinsale Your Support Services (KYSS), Kinsale Men’s Shed, and Kinsale Youth Community Centre.
On St. Patrick’s Day itself the Blessing of the Shamrock will take place at 11.30am Service in St. Multose Church. Festivities will then commence around town from 1.00pm with free face painting, balloon modelling and music. Buskers are also welcome to come along on the day. The prize giving for the Children’s Art Competition will take place at 1.30pm in the Tourist Office before the Street Parade, which will start at 3.00pm from the New Road car park. The theme for this year’s Parade is ‘Peace and Kindness on Earth’, participants are welcome to interpret that in a multitude of ways.
The Parade will weave its way along The Glen, Pearse Street, Barry’s Place and the Pier Road to the reviewing stand near the Pier Head.
Since the revival of the Parade in 2012 it has been wonderful to see the support from local businesses who ‘Go Green’ for the occasion in the weeks before the event. Combined with the wonderful effort the businesses make to decorate their premises, and the flags & bunting erected by the Parade committee, Kinsale always looks spectacular for our National Day. Once again there will be prizes for the Best Dressed Window in advance of the festival weekend.
If you are interested in sponsoring or contributing funding, please contact 086 3177642, wish to help out with stewarding on the day please contact 087 9244613, or email [email protected]
Check out how much fun we’ve had in previous years and come along and enjoy the fun in Kinsale on St. Patrick’s weekend… https://vimeo.com/810260986
