Your guide to St Patrick's Day parades all around Donegal

Towns and villages across Donegal are putting final preparations in place for this weekend’s St Patrick’s Day parade. Community groups, schools and businesses are putting the finishing touches to their floats, motor dealers and vintage car owners are polishing the chrome and marching bands are warming up for what promises to be a great weekend of celebrating our patron saint. Here is a flavour of what is planned for St Patrick’s Day in Donegal.

Ardara 

The annual parade takes place on Monday, March 18 at 3pm. This year the parade celebrates 40 years, so a special parade is planned with loads of fun and laughter. 

Ballyshannon

This year is the 200th birthday of William Allingham and the parade will celebrate the renowned local poet and his works. The parade takes place on Sunday at 2pm. 

Belleek

The road street disco starts at 12 noon on Sunday with the St Patricks Day parade at 1pm from the GAA centre followed by music on the Gig Rig til approx 3pm. 

Bundoran

The theme for this year’s event on Sunday will be Together – Le Chéile. The parade will start 3.30pm moving from East to West up Main Street.

Guests from several Bundoran’s twin towns across Europe through Douzelage Town Twinning will take part in the parade as well as many of their Ukrainian community, a college group from Georgia in the USA and at least four marching bands have confirmed their participation on the day.

Buncrana

Preparations are continuing for the St Patrick’s Day parade in Buncrana, following one of the largest turnouts the town has ever seen last year. Buncrana’s parade starts at 3pm, and will be following the usual routes around the town. 

Burtonport

The Annual St Patrick’s Day celebrations takes place in St. Columba’s Community Centre on Sunday from 12pm to 2pm. Traditional music and dancing, traditional food and an exhibition from the local fife and drum bands. Proceeds go to three excellent organisations, the RNLI, the Burtonport Festival and St. Columba’s Community Centre. 

Creeslough

Creeslough will host their Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade on Sunday and everyone taking part in the Parade to meet in the field behind the Chapel at 11am. Parade will start at 12 noon. Prizes for the best floats and best decorated windows. There will be a bucket collection to help with costs.

Downings

The Downings parade will start at 5pm in the heart of the vilage

Donegal Town

Donegal Town Parade will begin at 3pm on St. Patrick’s Day. Starting at the St. John Bosco Centre for walking participants, over Tirconaill Street, left towards the Diamond, around to Main Street, left down Water Street and back around for a second loop.

Traditionally St Patrick’s Day marks the start of a new year of events and activity in the Town and is the start of the tourist season. The Parade will also be the first event to kick start a year of Celebration of the town’s 550th Anniversary.

Dunfanaghy

 New this year - it’s The Leprechaun Leap  - 5k Walk / Run - Prizes for the best dressed Leprechaun. Leaving Holy Trinity Church to Haggart and back down to the Hall. 10am registration and a 10:30am Start. Traditional Live Music live in the square from 1-3pm. Marching Bands, Food and Craft stalls. Free kids Disco at the market house from 2:30pm. Face painting Games and much more.

Dunkineely

This year’s St Patrick’s Parade in Dunkineely will take place at 3.30pm on Saturday.

Plenty of floats and fun for all in the centre of the village. Once again, they will have a €200 prize for the best float, sponsored by JFS Crash Repair.

Their second parade promises to have all the excitement of last year's.  The fun will go on all weekend, with entertainment in the pubs. They also have the return of Napoli Express Pizza!

FalcarraghThe St Patrick’s Day parade in Falcarragh be held from 3:30pm on Sunday, assembling at St Fionán’s Church Car Park at that time.

Gaoth DobhairThis year's St. Patrick's Day Parade will take place this Sunday and is scheduled to begin at 2pm, weather permitting, leaving Bunbeg Crossroads and will be arriving in Derrybeg between 3pm and 4pm. 

The road from Bunbeg Crossroads to Molloy’s Spar will close between 1.30pm and 4pm to facilitate the safety of the parade participants as well as the spectators. 

Glencolmcille

The parade will get underway at 3pm.

Kerrykeel

A great day's craic!  Parade starts at 3pm, where there will be live music, Irish dancing - kids balloon artist, tea and buns, sponsored by local businesseses and community.   Registration and line up at 2pm at Kerrykeel National School. Following the Parade, local band My Generation will be playing live on stage.  Teas, Trad Session and Prize-giving in the Old School Community Centre. 

KilcarThis year Kilcar will be celebrating the fantastic 90-year anniversary for St Cartha’s pipe band! They expect lots of floats this year to join us in celebrating at midday on Sunday. 

Killybegs

Killybegs St Patrick’s Day Parade takes place on Sunday at 3pm. There will be prizes for the best float, most topical float and best music. 

Letterkenny

Letterkenny St.Patrick’s Day Parade is taking place on this year on Sunday.

Entertainment will start at the stage at Market Centre at 1.30pm with the parade proper starting at 3pm. For those gathering to watch the parade there will be music along the street from 2pm.  So there’ll be lots to keep everyone entertained until the parade starts at 3pm.

Mevagh

Mevagh St Patricks Parade has developed into a major attraction both in Carrigart and surrounding areas and gives everyone the chance to showcase the creativity of the local area. Floats are coming fast, and hope to build on the success of previous years. Please note there will be traffic diversions in place around Carrigart from 12.15pm on St. Patrick’s Day.

Moville

Moville is gearing up for its 32nd St Patrick’s Day parade and this year also marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of the town’s parade committee.

The parade starts at the usual time of 2.30pm. The motorised floats are asked to turn up at Glencrow by 2.15pm.   There will be bouncy castles in the square beside the big tree and there will also be street performers providing entertainment. Live music in the Square will be from 2pm to 5pm.

Ramelton

Ramelton is having a first-ever St Patrick's Day parade on Sunday  at 2:30pm.  Gamble Square will be closed from 12-4pm. Diversions put in place.

Rathmullan

Rathmullan is having a first-ever St Patrick's Day parade on Sunday 12pm. Road closure on from 12-4pm from Pier Road to Main Street to Whesylem Street/R247 to Main Street and back on the Pier Road. Local diversions will be put in place.