The big day is nearly upon us! St. Patrick’s Day is the centre of our festival and will see Kilkenny city come alive with pageantry, craic agus ceoil!
The main event is the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Kilkenny city. Beginning at 1.30pm the Parade will begin at the top of John’s Street, continue on to Rose Inn Street, take a right up High St. and then take a another right to end at the Market Yard.
The Parade will be full of music, community and creativity and we encourage you to don your green, white and orange and cheer on all the entrants as they go past. The theme of this year’s festival is ‘Run with the Wolves’ taking inspiration from the Oscar nominated Cartoon Saloon movie Wolfwalkers, which is set in Kilkenny in 1650 and features buildings and landscapes from across the county. Keep an eye out for the Maebh, Robyn and the big wolf who will make an appearance in the parade.
There are plenty of activities before and after the parade too! MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre are hosting the Pre-Parade Party, with activities and fun for all the family from 11.30am.
The Festival Street Food market and the Carnival Rides on the Parade will be going from 11am and the Festival Bandstand has their first act of the day at 12pm.
On the Parade plaza in Kilkenny city(not to be confused with the St. Patrick’s Day Parade – the event) the Horizon Irish Open want you to test your putting skills, The Old Bog Cottage wants to show you around Ireland of old and Nore Valley Farm are inviting you to pet the animals. Deise Medieval will be floating around as will stilt walkers and some of the characters you spotted in the Parade. Go up and say hello and get a photo!
At 3.30pm Hakuna Matata Acrobats are putting on a performance in the Castle Park and at 8.30pm Rogu will be performing Firestorm outside the Butler Gallery (sold out).
With music, food and entertainment throughout the day there is something for everyone this St. Patrick’s Day in Kilkenny! Make sure to plan early, take note of ROAD CLOSURES, bring snacks and stay hydrated and maybe throw some sunscreen and a rain jacket into your bag (it is Ireland after all!).
St. Patricks Festival Kilkenny Map 2022
If you want to continue the party into the evening check out Kilkenny Tradfest. They have gigs across the city every night from the 16th – 20th March!
