About
St. Patrick's Day parades will be the centre of celebrations in Downpatrick and Newry on St Patrick’s Day 2024.
Led by St Patrick himself, the St Patrick's Day Parade in Downpatrick on Sunday 17 March 2024 will offer a feast for eyes and ears as swirling dancers, community floats and costumed characters entertain the crowds.
Festivities across Downpatrick will run from 12 noon to 4pm.
What time does the St Patrick's Parade start in Downpatrick?
In Downpatrick, the St Patrick's Day Parade departs Downshire Estate, Ardglass Road at 1.30pm and follows the main route into town, finishing at Rathkeltair Car Park, Lower Market Street.
What time are the Church Services in Downpatrick as part of St Patrick's Festival?
Saturday 16 March 2024
'Light the beacons' is the theme for this year's annual St Patrick's Day Festival on Saturday 16 March 2024 at Down Cathedral, Downpatrick.
9.15am: Saul Church of Ireland, Downpatrick (Holy Communion)
10.15am - 11.30am: Pilgrimage walk from Saul Church to Down Cathedral, Downpatrick (led by representatives of different churches.)
11.45am: Cross-Community Festival Service followed by Lighting of symbolic beacon and wreath laying ceremony at Patrick's Grave
Sunday 17 March 2024
10am: St Colmcille's, Downpatrick
10.30am: St Patrick’s, Downpatrick (The Mass in St Patrick's will have some Irish hymns and a few Irish greetings.)
What else is happening on St Patrick's Day in Downpatrick?
Down County Museum and Down Arts Centre
A full programme of events has been schedule in the Down County Museum and Down Arts Centre
St Patrick's Village (located in St Patrick Square and Market Street Car Park)
Festive live music and dance, Ceili and Artisan Market and children's activities - fun for all the family to enjoy.
Main stage
12noon - 1pm Clann Uí Huiginn Downpatrick based contemporary Irish Traditional music
1pm - 2pm Stonewall folk rock for all ages
2pm - 3pm More Power to Your Elbow international Celtic Rock
3pm - 4pm Johnny Brady a distinctive voice in modern country music
The afternoon will be compéred by top local performer and raconteur Connor Martin
Children’s Activities Area includes facepainters, kite making workshops, arts and crafts by Makes and Bakes, walk-about circus characters, traditional garden games, Clayrazy clay modelling, a chance to have a go at the climbing wall and much more.
Also catch street performances by singer and harpist Sarah McVeigh and the Chris Owens dance troop.
The Ceili Tent
This ceili is open for all to watch or to take part in. The festival Ceili band is Reels n Speels, with guest appearances from Celtic Storm Irish Dancers and the Qua family from Co Armagh.
Click here for St Patrick's Festival - Frequently Asked Questions
Find out more about the St Patrick's Day Parade in Newry
Contribution to activities received from the Department for Communities
.png)
Map of St Patrick's Festival in Downpatrick - click here to download a copy
Guide Prices
| Ticket Type | Ticket Tariff |
|---|---|
| Ticket | Free |
Please contact the organiser for any further information that's required.
