A St Patrick’s Day parade near you!

By Dan Walsh

St Patrick’s Day has historically been a significant occasion for celebrating Irish heritage, though cultural practices are evolving. Government officials and ministers are currently travelling abroad, and publicly consuming Guinness is now viewed with disapproval.

St. Patrick’s Day symbols are made in China, many people confuse shamrock with clover, and newcomers are encouraged to wear their traditional attire.

St Patrick’s Day parades in our towns and villages are still enjoyable, though less lively now because of restrictions from insurance companies.

Animals are prohibited from parades, floats can’t feature live bands, dancers, or human images, and young children must have approved minders—all due to health and safety regulations.

Pipe Major Jim Byrne leading St. Colman’s Pipe Band, Ballindaggin. They have performed at hundreds of St. Patrick’s Day parades in the UK and, especially locally over many decades. They will have a busy schedule again this year.

We know how to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Find your local parade on the 2026 list below.

BUNCLODY; Bunclody St. Patrick’s Day parade starts at Tírlán, Carrigduff at 10.30am and will traverse the Main Street. Marching groups, floats and commercial entries will participate. Local business is encouraged to decorate their windows and participate in the St. Patrick’s Day Window Competition! An ecumenical blessing of shamrock will be one of the highlights.

CARRIG-ON-BANNOW; Grand Marshal Maudie Walsh will be leading the Carrig-on-Bannow St. Patrick’s Day parade in its 16th year, and it begins at 2pm. Their very own gig-rig will be on show for the support of local talent.

CLONROCHE; Always a great celebration, the Clonroche St. Patrick’s Day Parade takes place on Tuesday, March 17th, with floats gathering at the Mill for a 1.30 p.m. departure. The parade moves through the village and past the viewing stand, featuring local, community, and, often, vintage vehicle entries.

COOLGREANY; This is the 16th St. Patrick’s Day parade with a new 12-person committee spearheaded by local Cllrs Nicky Boland and Craig Doyle. Led by the Arklow Pipe Band, the parade starts at 12 noon. Local businesses, sports groups and schools are encouraged to take part, and participants are asked to dress up as their favourite Disney characters and turn Coolgreany into a storybook for the day. Con O’Driscoll is the Grand Marshal for the Coolgreany St. Patrick’s Day Parade. A highly respected local figure, Con has given so much to the community over the years it is a fitting honour, and the community is delighted he accepted.

CURRAGRAIGUE; Folklorist Michael Fortune initiated “the smallest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the world” nine years ago and the 2026 event commences at 11.05am in The Commons, Ballindaggin. It is a novel fun-filled event where large vehicles and tractors are banned, however, small animals, bikes and buggies and families are the backbone of its success story.

DUNCANNON; The annual Duncannon St. Patrick’s Day parade sets out from the Star of the Sea Church overlooking the village at 11am. It will make its way through the village and end up on Duncannon’s renowned beautiful beach.

ENNISCORTHY; Slaney Search & Rescue are the Grand Marshals for the Enniscorthy St. Patrick’s Day Parade which sets out from the Shannon Chapel at 3pm. The theme this year is ‘Connecting Roots’. Usual route. Viewing stand at Abbey Square.

FETHARD-ON-SEA; Fethard-on-Sea parade took place on Sunday. Read special report on WexfordLocal.com

Boxing champion KAYLIEIGH BYRNE is Gorey Grand Marshal.

GOREY; The theme of this year’s Gorey St. Patrick’s Day parade is ‘Carnival’. The parade will follow the traditional route from McCurtain Street, along Main Street, with the viewing platform on Esmonde Street. It starts at 3pm. The Grand Marshal is boxer Kayleigh Byrne who recently won a bronze medal at the U19 European Amateur Boxing Championships.  

KILTEALY; The Kiltealy St. Patrick’s Day Parade has prizes for the best floats. The parade starts from Kiltealy Community Centre at 1pm. The parade is organised for ‘Make A Wish Ireland’.

NEW ROSS; This year’s New Ross St. Patrick’s Day parade will be led by Micheal Bailey and members of New Ross Boat Club as part of their 150th anniversary celebrations. The theme is ‘All Aboard’ and it sets out from Irishtown at 2.30pm and concludes on the Quay.  

WEXFORD; One of the oldest parades in the country the 2026 Wexford town St. Patrick’s Day parade gets under way at 10.30am from the junction of Parnell Stret and Trinity Street and travels along Wexford Quay to Redmond Square. Bands taking part include St. Patrick’s Fife and Drum Band, Arklow Pipe Band, Bloco Garman Samba Band and New Ross Pipe Band.

Crowds gather for Fethard parade

Here comes the Fethard-on-Sea St. Patrick’s Day parade today. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

By Dan Walsh at Fethard-on-Sea

Large crowds gathered along Fethard-on-Sea’s main street today for the early St. Patrick’s Day parade, celebrating community spirit, culture and pride in tradition.

St. Patrick himself walked the route ahead of St. Mogue’s GAA supporters. An Garda Siochána and volunteers assisted stewarding during this family experience.

The Irish Coast Guard and the RNLI reminded the community of its maritime location and the role these volunteers play in keeping coastal communities safe all year round.

Floats sponsored by local businesses carried large numbers, mostly children, waving their flags, sporting the green, and thoroughly enjoying the occasion.

Dillons Londis added a nice touch with green ice cream sales that kept the staff busy!

The scene was set with traditional Irish tunes playing and dancing on the street entertained the large crowds who responded with appreciation and applause.

The event was a genuine community festival, characterised by meticulous organisation and effective safety measures. The weather was advantageous, contributing positively to the overall experience.

There goes the Fethard-on-Sea St Patrick’s Day parade. (Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

More point-to-point success

By Dan Walsh

Ballyragget in Co. Kilkenny was the venue for today’s point-to-point which produced three Wexford winners.

Newcomer Custodium, owned, handled and ridden by Luke Murphy from Inch, Gorey, scored by ten lengths in the maiden race for four-year-old geldings.

SHANE O’ROURKE rode a winner at Ballyraggett today. (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

Cormac Doyle’s good run of luck continued in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings where Bold Opinion, in the colours of Patrick J. McCarthy, came home ten lengths clear of the field. Jack Hendrick was the winning rider.

Garrett Murphy and the Turbine Syndicate from Ballymitty are having a great season and another fine victory came their way today when newcomer Queen Of The Grove took the mares’ five-year-old plus maiden race by one and a half lengths. The winning rider was Shane O’Rourke.

Next Sunday’s point-to-point is The Island Hunt fixture at Ballycrystal, Kiltealy. Entries close tomorrow (Monday) at 12 noon. First race at 1pm.

Fethard St Patrick’s Day parade on Sunday

By Dan Walsh

The St. Patrick’s Day parade in Fethard-on-Sea takes place on Sunday, March 15th with the festivities getting under way at 2pm.

The coveted Fethard’s Favourite Float prize is an interesting part of the event; however, dog owners are reminded that their canines are also potential prizewinner’s.

Floats and walking groups should assemble at St. Mogue’s GAA premises, and the dog fraternity will meet at The Clover. The parade will travel through the village.

Wexford races on St Patrick’s Day

By Dan Walsh

Most years the St. Patrick’s Day Wexford races clash with the Cheltenham Festival – not on Tuesday when Bettyville Park commences its 75th anniversary season with a seven-race card and the first race is off at 1.37pm.

The reason for the unusual off time is to facilitate other race meetings in Ireland and the UK televised by Racing TV, including the Wexford meeting.

Cheltenham champions Willie Mullins and Paul Townend will have runners and should share in some success.

Horse Racing Ireland informed WexfordLocal.com of the ‘going’ prospects for Tuesday at Bettyville Park. It reads; “Soft, soft in places. Unsettled with the possibility of 14mm (approx.) prior to racing.”

Wexford has 12 fixtures during the 2026 season. Tuesday, March 17th; Friday, April 10th, (E-evening); Saturday, May 16th; Wednesday, May 27th. (E); Friday, July 3rd; Wednesday, July 22nd; Thursday, July 23rd, (E); Friday, August 7th (E), Saturday, August 8th; Friday, August 28th (E), Sunday and Monday, October 25th and 26th.  

Call to progress new Gorey roundabout

By Dan Walsh

Fine Gael TD for Wicklow Wexford, Brian Brennan is urging Wexford County Council to use whatever measures available to them to progress the development of Ballyloughan Roundabout on the Arklow Road outside Gorey.

The proposed roundabout which was expected to serve an adjoining business park will not be built after the national planning authority upheld an appeal blocking its progress.

Speaking to WexfordLocal.com, Deputy Brennan said: “The Ballyloughan Business Park is in a prime position at the outskirts of Gorey to facilitate business, industry, employment and growth in the town, but is seriously hindered by access.

BRIAN BRENNAN TD

“Currently the Park houses some of the best Wexford home grown businesses such as John Bass Tyres, Brennan Electric, Bolands of Gorey, Curragh Woods Landscaping, Whizzy Internet, and Bodibro and there are several additional lots ready for new business. 

“This roundabout would open the Park for further development but as it stands, the refusal may have the opposite effect, hindering growth and potentially losing jobs and industry from Gorey to other areas with more favourable access.

Deputy Brennan continued; “It is my understanding that this lack of critical infrastructure is deterring at least one major business from moving to the Park and it is possible that the outcome of this decision may make it likely that new businesses will look elsewhere.

“Most importantly the junction as it stands is simply dangerous and presents a massive safety risk to drivers especially if it continues to provide sole access to the Park for heavy trucks and vehicles.

“In addition the road also provides access to several coastal areas on the North Wexford Coastline, such as Castletown, Ballymoney, Tara Hill, Seafield.  In summertime this road is filled with local and visiting traffic alike travelling to beaches, golf courses and holiday parks.

“The confluence of heavy vehicular traffic and families in their cars at an uncontrolled junction on an already busy road is a recipe for disaster.

“I fully respect the planning process and as such I urge Wexford County Council to seriously consider all options available to them with a view to making the roundabout a reality,” added Deputy Brennan, who concluded: “Gorey is a town bursting at the seams, so it is absolutely vital that area such as Ballyloughan be developed to ensure that the town continues to grow and thrive.

Big race win for Conor Stone-Walsh

By Dan Walsh

CONOR STONE-WALSH (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

The Cheltenham dream came true today for 19 years old Cleariestown jockey Conor Stone-Walsh who rode his first winner at the famous Cheltenham Festival on Final Orders (7/1) in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase.

Conditional Stone-Walsh, claiming 3lb, flawlessly guided his mount over the raft of different obstacles across nearly four miles and his front running tactics held off all challengers ahead of the winning post to score by two and a quarter lengths.

“It’s my third time riding here. I was second twice last year, so I’m delighted to get that. It’s unbelievable; to get any winner at a big festival is special, but for it to be here makes it a lot sweeter,” said a delighted Stone-Walsh who was riding for Meath trainer Gavin Cromwell.

Bridgetown water outage repaired

By Dan Walsh

UPDATE; Water supply is returning to Uisce Éireann customers in Bridgetown after the successful repair of a water main.

Uisce Éireann crews are tackling a major burst in Bridgetown to restore water to customers affected.  Repairs are expected to be completed by 4pm today.

The unplanned outage may cause supply disruptions to customers and businesses in Bridgetown, Kilmore and Tomhaggard. 

Uisce Éireann’s Padraig Lyng has assured customers that every effort is being made to restore a full water supply as quickly as possible.  

“We understand the inconvenience of an unplanned outage and we thank customers for their support while our works continue,” Mr Lyng told WexfordLocal.com 

Typically, it takes two to three hours following repairs for normal supply to restore to all customers affected by an unplanned outage. However, it may take longer for normal supply to be restored to customers at the end of the network or on higher ground as the system recharges.  

To ensure the safety of the crews carrying out the repairs to the burst and the safety of the public, traffic management will be in place and will be clearly signposted. 

Urgency to act on coastal erosion at Rosslare Strand

By Dan Walsh at Wexford County Council meeting

Coastal erosion is a serious problem along the Co. Wexford coastline but a motion calling for urgent action at Rosslare Strand received unanimous support from members at last Monday’s monthly meeting of Wexford County Council held in the Council Chamber, County Hall, Wexford.

CLLR LISA McDONALD (File Pic; WexfordLocal.com)

A motion in the names of Cllr Lisa McDonald and Cllr Ger Carthy, seconded by Cllr Pip Breen stated; “Wexford County Council calls on the OPW (Office of Public Works) to act as a matter of urgency to address the serious threat posed by coastal erosion to Rosslare Strand and to immediately prepare and implement a scheme of emergency works to protect Rosslare Strand from the encroachment of the sea.”

Cllr McDonald told the meeting that Rosslare Strand needs immediate assistance right now. She said the beach has been washed away leaving nothing but a surface of stones coming right up the back of the street. She passionately stated that Rosslare Stand be given priority and emergency funding.

Cllr Pip Breen added that the entire coastline and all along the coast was badly impacted by erosion. He suggested the need for a plan for all the coastline.  

Chat as Gaelige ar Binse Comhrá

Relaxing on Binse Comhra Loch Garman; (Back Row L-R); Cllr Lonard Kelly, Cllr Robbie Staples, Cllr Garry Laffan, Mayor of Wexford, Anthony Bailey Wexford County Council, Ronán Crosbie, Grúpa Comhrá Gaeilge Loch Garman, Thomás Hayes, Grúpa Comhrá Gaeilge Loch Garman. (Front); Cory O’Brollacháin Wexford County Council, Heidi Pierce, Grúpa Comhrá Gaeilge Loch Garman, agus Proinsias Keeling, Grúpa Comhrá Gaeilge Loch Garman.

By Dan Walsh

Wexford County Council has launched its first Binse Comhrá – a bench area where people are happy to chat as Gaeilge – at St. Peter’s Square in Wexford town.

This timely initiative, launching in Seachtain na Gaeilge (March 1st-17th), continues the ethos of the Healthy Wexford ‘Happy to Chat’ initiative while incorporating the encouragement to engage as Gaeilge.  

Working collaboratively the Irish Officer, the Wexford Borough District and Healthy Wexford have delivered this initiative in St Peters Square.

Close to the dedicated bench is signage with some key phrases and words for those who may not have the language but who would like to try it out.  

Wexford County Council’s Irish Officer, Cory Ó Brollacháin said; “This initiative provides an accessible invitation to all to have a go and try even a few words as Gaeilge.  There is also a QR code linking to Wexford County Council website which will provide further resources.”

Mayor of Wexford Cllr Gary Laffan said ; “I’m delighted to see the collaboration on this project and I hope that the initiative, if successful, can be rolled out further.”  

Healthy County Committee Chair Cllr Leonard Kelly said; “Healthy Wexford are delighted to continue to extend the ‘Happy to Chat’ initiative further and to engage with the Borough Team and the Irish Officer on this fantastic initiative.  We hope that it continues to provide more social connection opportunities and encourages more conversation as Geailge.”