St. Patrick’s Day 2025: Your Complete Guide to Parades and Events Across Louth
Ardee News and Sport – St. Patrick’s Day 2025: Your Complete Guide to Parades and Events Across Louth
St. Patrick’s Day is fast approaching, and communities across County Louth are gearing up for a fantastic celebration filled with parades, music, and family-friendly activities. Whether you’re in Ardee, Blackrock, Cooley, Drogheda, or Dundalk, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s St. Patrick’s Day parades in the Wee County.
Ardee: Honouring a Local Business Legend
📍 Start Time: 3:00 PM
📍 Parade Route: Starts from the north side of town
📍 Grand Marshal: John Caffrey of Caffrey’s Home Bakery and Coffee Shop
Ardee’s parade will feature a designated sensory area from Brian Muldoon’s to the far side of the bridge, where participants will be asked to lower volume levels to create a more inclusive and relaxed environment.
Blackrock: A Champion Leads the Way
📍 Start Time: 1:00 PM
📍 Parade Route: Starts at St. Fursey’s Terrace, Cocklehill, moving along the promenade, and dispersing on the northern side of the village
📍 Grand Marshal: Kyle Norton, Special Olympian
The scenic seaside village of Blackrock is set to host another fantastic parade, with colourful floats and lively performances bringing the promenade to life.
Cooley: A Community Celebration with Live Music
📍 Date: Sunday, March 16
📍 Start Time: 1:00 PM
📍 Parade Route: From Bush, Riverstown to Cooley Kickhams Complex (arriving by 2:00 PM)
The Cooley St. Patrick’s Day Parade is a community-driven event, followed by live music from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM, refreshments, and a children’s disco at the Cooley Kickhams Complex.
Drogheda: A Weekend of Festivities
📍 Start Time: 12:00 PM
📍 Parade Route: Through Drogheda town centre
📍 Grand Marshals: Drogheda United FC
Drogheda’s St. Patrick’s Festival begins on Friday with a fireworks display and fun fair at Scotch Hall.
The Parade of Champions on Sunday will be a spectacular affair, featuring:
✅ A sensory area on Dominic’s Street for those who prefer a quieter experience
✅ Live music on St. Peter’s Church Plaza after the parade
✅ A carnival and market
✅ A leprechaun hunt, face painting, and Irish dancing at Scotch Hall Shopping Centre
Dundalk: Honouring a Marathon Legend
📍 Start Time: 12:30 PM (Parade entrants must arrive by this time)
📍 Parade Route: Patrick Street → Church Street → Clanbrassil Street → Crowe Street → Francis Street → Park Street → Dublin Street → Tesco Extra
📍 Grand Marshal: Collette O’Hagan, the first Irish female athlete to complete 1,000 marathons
Dundalk’s parade promises to be an inspiring and inclusive event with:
✅ A quiet zone for people with sensory sensitivities from Utopia on Dublin Street until the parade’s end
✅ A special viewing platform for wheelchair users (must be pre-booked via www.stpatricksdaydundalk.ie)
✅ Live music and a family fun zone at Market Square (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM) featuring a DJ and local bands
Join the Celebration!
With parades and events happening all across Louth, there’s no shortage of fun, entertainment, and community spirit this St. Patrick’s Day. Whether you’re cheering from the sidelines, taking part in the festivities, or simply soaking up the atmosphere, it’s sure to be a day to remember! ☘️🇮🇪
