St Patrick's Day Parades – Accessibility Information

La Fhéile Pádraig sona daoibh! Our national day of celebration is nearly here.  Some St Patrick’s Day parades have special measures in place to ensure that their events are as inclusive as possible. So let’s make a day of it…..

Dublin St Patrick’s Day Parade

Ireland You Are…

is the theme for the Festival Parade in Dublin this year. Pageants from around Ireland will come together to present the rich textures of Irish heritage through a variety of performances around such subjects as Ireland’s old magical faerie stories, ancient mythical tribes, trailblazing pirates and the splendid living landscape the Irish have worked on, nourished and shared with others over the centuries.
Watch as the finest of Irish street theatre companies bring this theme to life with their spectacular creations, pageantry and performance. There are a number of designated viewing areas for people with disabilities with 3 locations for wheelchair users. They are on O’Connell Street, Westmoreland Street and in Front of St. Patricks Cathedral.
For people with special needs, but who are not dependent on a wheelchair, there is  an area on O’Connell Street which is referred to as Priority Viewing.
All of these areas have limited capacity, so they are available on a first come first served basis.
Please be aware that the Festival does not book spaces or make any arrangements with any city centre car parks.
Please complete this application form and select which area you require wristbands for by Wednesday 1st March 2017.  All successful applicants will be sent wristbands to facilitate access.
For further queries contact info@stpatricksfestival.ie.
 

Cork St Patrick’s Day Parade

This year’s Cork St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place in the heart of the City on Friday, March 17th 2017 starting at 3pm. The parade runs from the South Mall to the Grand Parade, along St. Patrick’s Street and finishes at Merchant’s Quay.
Celebrating the theme of Cork – A City of Community, Culture & Commerce, it promises to be a carnival of colour, music, pageantry and comic fun.
There is a designated area on St. Patrick’s street for wheelchair users and those with special needs. You can contact the Cork St. Patrick’s Festival office at stpatricksfestival@corkcity.ie or telephone 021-4924276/021-4924736 to reserve a space and they will provide you with any information you require.

Waterford St Patrick’s Day Parade

The 2017 theme of Waterford’s St Patrick’s Day parade is “Do it The Green Way”, which is a celebration of the imminent opening of the Waterford Greenway.  A fantastic family spectacle with lots of great places to view the parade along the route.
The first rows of seats in the Reviewing Stand on the Mall is reserved for those with special needs and their carers. No advance booking is necessary.
 
 

Limerick St Patrick’s Day Parade

An estimated 80,000 people are expected to line the streets of Limerick City from midday on Friday 17th March 2017 for Ireland’s largest regional St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
The theme of the 2017 Limerick St Patrick’s Festival is ‘Our Stories, this is where we belong’. The aim of this year’s theme is that through story-telling,  Limerick will bring its own story to life on the streets of Limerick for our national holiday.
The Parade will start at O’Connell Ave. (Wolfe Tone St. junction) at 12 noon and end at Merchant’s Quay.  Limerick has lovely wide streets and excellent paving in the city centre so you are sure to find a good spot to watch the action. There is a designated viewing area that should be booked in advance.  If you require any further information, have specific requirements or want to reserve a place contact yvonne.daly@limerick.ie or call (061) 496192 for assistance.

Galway St Patrick’s Day Parade

2017 marks the 114th anniversary of the Galway St. Patrick’s Day Parade and you can expect a wonderful spectacle of all things Irish. The Parade will start at 11.30am and finish at approximately 1.00pm.
This year’s parade highlights include Galway Arts Centre, Colours Street Theatre, An Taibhdhearc Theatre and Galway Theatre Festival with community groups such as Foróige, GAA clubs, Amnesty International and The Russian Culture Club creating a kaleidoscope of of Galway’s rich mix of cultural and ethnic diversity.
The parade will come to a grand finalé with local heroes Macnas presenting their youth ensemble before Gamelan na Gaillimhe chime the end of the parade with their Indonesian gongs.
There is a designated viewing area on Eyre Square for wheelchair users and those with special needs across from the Grandstand.  The bus shelters will provide protection from the elements, so even the rain won’t dampen your spirits!  Also, ramps will be in place for ease of access. There is no need to book in advance.   An Irish Sign Language interpreter will be on the Grandstand ensuring that no-one will miss out on the festivities!

Kilkenny St Patrick’s Day Parade

Kilkenny are celebrating Jonathan Swift at this years parade, with a ‘Gulliver’s Travels’ theme throughout.  Buí Bolg Performing Arts Group will be featuring as a highlight in the Parade, so keep your eyes peeled! Join in the colourful excitement of the spectacle on show, and support your local community. Line the streets and route of the Parade, down through John Street, over John’s Bridge, up Rose Inn Street and following the road around into the High Street and cheer your heads off! The Parade then ends at Market Yard. Finally, the Kilkenny Senior Camogie Team, led by manager Ann Downey are the Grand Marshals for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. A great day out is in store!
There is a designated viewing area for wheelchair users and those with special needs in front of the stage near the castle, where you will get a great view of all the day’s action.  No advance booking is needed.  Footpaths and pedestrian crossings around the Marble City have recently been upgraded, so you can explore all the festivities of the Kilkenny St Patrick’s Festival at your ease.