The Kinsale St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee is busy preparing for the 2025 celebrations of our National Holiday in our beautiful town!
Thursday night, February 20th, 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 22nd and Sunday 23rd February.
We can’t wait for Sunday March 16th 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 Marshal for this year’s Street Parade on St. Patrick’s Day is Mr. John Stanley. Mr. Stanley is Chairman of the Belgooly Show, a much-loved event in the area every June Bank Holiday weekend. He has also been involved in many farming organisations over the years, as well as carrying out community work in a quiet and caring manner.
On St. Patrick’s Day itself the Blessing of the Shamrock will take place at 12.00pm Mass in the Parish 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 1.15pm 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 ‘Kindness and Inclusivity.
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 4061536, wish to help out with stewarding on the day please contact 087 9244613, or email kinsaleparade@gmail.com
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/931489551/925ad44ba3?share=copy
