Don’t miss our 2025 St Patrick’s Day celebrations in Newry and Downpatrick on Monday 17 March. With a packed programme of events, including our fabulous cross community parades led by St Patrick himself, there will be plenty for everyone to enjoy!
St Patrick's Day in Downpatrick
St Patrick's Day Parade, Downpatrick
Kicking off the celebrations, Downpatrick’s vibrant and lively town centre will host its famous St Patrick’s Day parade, leaving the Downshire Estate at 1.30pm and heading to Rathkeltair car park. Spectators can expect a dazzling display of floats, traditional music, and dance performances, creating an electric atmosphere for all to enjoy as it moves from the Downshire Estate at 1.30pm, onto Edward Street, John Street, Irish Street, Market Street, finishing up at Rathkeltair Car Park.
There will be a host of floats, sports groups, dance groups and community groups to join in the fun.
Throughout the day, the St Patrick’s Village around St Patrick Square will be the place to experience traditional Céilí dancing, children’s rides, family friendly activities and a fantastic artisan fair. Be sure to visit Down County Museum for a range of specially curated activities for the children delving into the rich history and folklore surrounding St Patrick. Join us at Down Arts Centre, nestled in the heart of Downpatrick, this Saint Patrick's Day for a delightful celebration of creativity and culture. After an extremely successful pop up opening the ‘Seasonal Stages Café’ by Dramability for St Patrick’s Day last year, we’re delighted to say that Dramability are returning to Down Arts Centre this St Patrick's Day from 11am - booking is essential via this link.
Main festivities across Downpatrick will run from 12noon to 4pm.
Down County Museum and Down Arts Centre.
A full programme of events has been scheduled in both venues, starting at 11am.
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St Patrick's Day in Newry
In Newry, the St Patrick’s Day Parade promises to be a visual feast, with community groups, local schools and organisations coming together with the famous, Beat Carnival, to celebrate the patron saint of Ireland. The floats will leave Albert Basin at 1pm, finishing in Kildare Street. The celebrations will continue in the open Céilí marquee in Margaret Square and the heart of the town will be a hive of activity with stages in Marcus Square and Hill Street.
Other great venues for families to check out are McClelland Park and Newry and Mourne Museum at Bagenal’s Castle, which have a full programme of activities planned.
Newry & Mourne Museum
Make sure you drop into Newry and Mourne Museum between 10am-4pm where a full programme of activities will run throughout the day including live traditional music, children’s sensory workshops as well as arts and craft workshops. These sessions are free of charge, but numbers are limited so pre-booking of places is advisable.
St Patrick's Day Parade, Newry
With all the things to see and enjoy, don’t forget to pick your spot along the parade route which will set off from The Albert Basin at 1pm. It will then move along Buttercrane Quay, Merchants Quay, Sugar Island to Kildare Street.
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Newry and Downpatrick are not the only places to celebrate St Patrick’s Day in Newry, Mourne and Down.
Check out our website for a full programme of events across the destination, including lots of ideas to immerse yourself in our great outdoors.
Down Cathedral, a Cathedral of the Church of Ireland with magnificent stain glass windows, box pews and beautiful organ case was built in 1183 as a Benedictine Monastry. The patron saint, Patrick is believed to be buried in the nearby graveyard.
The Saint Patrick Centre is the only permanent exhibition in the World about Ireland’s Patron Saint. The History of Ireland starts here in Patrick’s words, which guide you through our amazing multimedia exhibition. Located 2 Hours north of Dublin and 35 minutes south of Belfast beside Saint Patrick’s Grave with a fantastic Craft Store and incredible Garden Cafe. This needs to be your first stop in Ireland.
St. Patrick's Day parades will be the centre of celebrations in Downpatrick and Newry City on St Patrick’s Day. Led by St Patrick himself, the parades on Monday 17 March 2025 will offer a feast for eyes and ears as swirling dancers, community floats and costumed characters entertain the crowds.
St Patrick's Day Parades will be the centre of celebrations in Newry City and Downpatrick on St Patrick’s Day. Led by Saint Patrick himself, the Parades on Monday 17 March 2025 will offer a feast for eyes and ears as swirling dancers, community floats and costumed characters entertain the crowds.
Join us at Down Arts Centre, nestled in the heart of Downpatrick, this Saint Patrick's Day for a delightful celebration of creativity and culture. Enjoy a range of activities, including arts and crafts, captivating street performers, and demonstrations of St. Brigid’s Cross-making with Stages Cafe set to pop up again this St Patrick's Day!
Newry and Mourne Museum will host a variety of events to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day 2025. Activities include Jumping Clay arts and crafts workshops for children to create festive models, sensory play sessions by Mini Explorers with themed sensory trays and play areas, and a musical performance by Briege Murphy combining her love of Irish traditional and American folk songs.
Family fun abounds at the Down County Museum, Downpatrick this St Patrick's Day. Before and after the Downpatrick parade, come and spend some time with us enjoying entertainment, music, dancing and craft, as well as our wonderful museum collections, and it's all free!.
