St. Patrick's Day Parade Tullamore

Tuesday 17th March 2026 - 11:30am

The theme of the 2026 parade is BEANNACHTAÍ LÁ FHÉILE PHÁDRAIG meaning ‘Blessings of the Festival of St. Patrick on all’.

Grand Marshall is the Paris 2024 Olympian and World Silver and Bronze Medalist, Grainne Walsh.

THE DAY AT A GLANCE

10:30 a.m. - Face Painting and Meet & Greet 
Free Face Painting inside the front entrance to the Bridge Centre from 10.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.  Meet & Greet Cartoon Characters "Woodie" and "Jessie" from Toy Story and Disney's "Tigger" and "Winnie The Pooh"

10:45 a.m. - Live Trad Music at Parade Review Stand
Live entertainment provided by Tullamore Comhaltas from 10.45 am - Review Stand - Colmcille St. close to Macs Cabs.

Before 11:00 a.m. - Parade Participants Present for Parade Line Up
All community groups assemble in the Car Park of the Bridge Centre by 11.00 a.m. at the latest. Groups must continue to straight to the GAA Centre on Arden Road - no exit along route. If you still need to register, contact the Secretary, Sean O' Brien, on 086 3892854 or email info@stpatricksdaytullamore.com

11:15 a.m. - Parade Official Opening by Gráinne Walsh at the Review Stand
Gráinne Walsh, a native of Tullamore, is an Irish boxer. She won a bronze medal at the 2025 World Boxing Championships and competed at the 2024 Summer Olympics. She will be cutting the ribbon to officially open the Parade. 

11:30 a.m. - Parade Begins
Starting at 11:30 am sharp, enjoy the parade as it travels High St., Bridge St., Colmcille St., over the Kilbeggan Bridge and onto Arden Road.  Finish point: Tullamore GAA Centre.  

Reserved Seated and Accessible Area
Viewers can avail of a special reserved seated area for elderly and wheelchair users.  This is located directly across from the Review Stand. No booking required.

Sensory Area
A reserved Sensory Area can be found in O' Connor Sq.  No booking required.
We ask all marching participants not to create any loud noise while passing O'Connor Square, especially Motorbikes Cars and Lorries.

Dogs Welcome!
Calling all dog owners to walk in the Parade with your canine friends!  There is a prize for the "Best Dressed Dog".
Owners must have their dogs on leads, and are responsible for maintaining distance from spectators, supervising pets closely in crowds, and ensuring they are comfortable with loud noises. 

Parade Participation Prizes
There are several prizes to be won in the various categories. Prizes include cash and special trophies. These prizes will be presented at the Awards Presentation Night three weeks after the Parade.

Safety First
We ask all entrants and the public to please be safe and follow the instructions of our Stewards and the Gardai at all times.

Window Display
A special prize is awarded each year to the Winner and Runner Up in a Window Display competition. This year there is an added bonus of a €50 Voucher to the Shop Assistant who is involved in the Window Display!

Road Closures
O'Connor Square is closed from 11 a.m. to through traffic up to 3.00 p.m. and it will be barriered off.
From Kilbeggan Bridge to Co-Op Corner / junction of William Street and Harbour Street - closed from 10:30 am
From O'Moore Street to Kilbeggan Bridge - closed from 11 am
Through road Harbour Street will be closed from 11 am - traffic will be diverted through Market Square
From Patrick Street to Hayes Cross - closed from 11 am
Diversions
Incoming Traffic to Tullamore will be diverted at Arden View to Clara Road
You are advised to use the Tullamore Bypass if wishing to travel past Tullamore

Parking
Available in Kilbride Plaza - Market Square - Tanyard Lane - Roselawn - on streets not on parade route.
Spollens Carpark also - with conditions; closed from 11:15 am to facilitate parade  - no exit from this car park until 1 pm. 
Offaly Street (please keep for elderly & people with disability)