Don’t miss our 2026 St Patrick’s Day celebrations in Newry and Downpatrick on Tuesday 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.
Main festivities across Downpatrick will run from 12noon to 4pm.
Down County Museum
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.
Down Arts Centre
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.
Leprechaun Treasure Trail, Montalto Estate, Ballynahinch
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the fun-filled Leprechaun Trail, adventure through the beautiful Trails & Gardens at Montalto Estate! (Please Note: A valid Trails & Gardens ticket is also required)
St Patrick's Day at The Cuan, Strangford
Saint Patrick's Weekend at The Saint Patrick Centre
Join us to celebrate Saint Patrick's Weekend at The Saint Patrick Centre, Downpatrick for a day of Storytelling, Live Music and Irish Dancing.
St Patrick's Weekend Celebration at Down Cathedral, Downpatrick
St Patrick's Weekend Celebration
16th March - 7pm St. Patrick's Eve - Night of Worship at Saul Church
'Godly Leadership' is the theme for this year's annual St Patrick's Festival service on Tuesday 17 March 2025 at Down Cathedral.
9.15am Holy Communion - Saul Church
10.15am Pilgrimage from Saul Church to Down Cathedral
11.45am Cross Community Festival Service followed by wreath laying ceremony at Patrick's Grave
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.
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 & 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.
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 Tuesday 17 March 2026 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 Tuesday 17 March 2026 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 traditional Irish music this St Patrick's Day!
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Newry and Mourne Museum on Tuesday 17 March 2026 with a fun-filled day of free family-friendly activities.
Celebrate St Patrick's Day at Down County Museum, Downpatrick Enjoy a day of music, dancing, circus entertainment, facepainting, arts & crafts, and sensory play. We are open from 10am-4:30pm.
A charming Coaching Inn dating from 1642 providing bed and breakfast with restaurant service daily and entertainment four nights per week. Meals can be served in the restaurant, the bar, and in either of two function rooms, suitable for larger parties.
Bagenal’s Castle located in historic Newry is a 16th century fortified house and adjoining 19th Century warehouse, and has been sympathetically restored to house Newry and Mourne Museum and Newry Visitor Information Centre.
Nestled in the breathtaking County Down countryside, Montalto Estate is an enchanting 18th-century Georgian estate offering a five-star visitor attraction, bespoke weddings and events, a Georgian mansion for private hire, and over 8km of beautifully curated trails and gardens, including a secluded private walled garden. Visitors can enjoy seasonal walks through the estate, relax in The Café at Montalto, browse the estate shop, and make use of the dedicated dog park, creating a welcoming destination for families, walkers and garden lovers alike.
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.
