THOUSANDS of people are expected to turn out across Donegal this weekend to view the 15 parades being held in towns and villages to celebrate the national saint’s day.
Events start in Dunkineely on Saturday with their grand parade and conclude on Monday with Ardara’s parade.
Dunkineely’s parade kicks off the weekend festivities with their parade starting at 3.30 pm on Saturday with organisers promising a grand parade.
Floats of all sorts, dancers, musicians, commercial displays and marching bands will take part in the national celebration which in Donegal is expected to stay dry, but cloudy, with temperatures ranging from 8 to 12 degrees C.
On Sunday Letterkenny will host the largest parade with road closures from 1 pm, and the parade starting at 3 pm.
There will be family fun and entertainment on the streets from 1.30pm and live music from 2 pm.
Creeslough will host their annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday and everyone taking part in the parade is to meet in the field behind the Chapel at 11am. The parade will start at 12 noon.
Buncrana’s parade starts at 3pm and will follow the usual route through the centre of the town. As well as the parade, there will be some fun events coming up for the kids in the lead-up to the parade, including a ‘snake hunt’ which is being run by Glor Inis Eoghain as part of Seachtain na Gaeilge.
The Ballybofey Stranorlar St Patrick’s Day fun day runs from 12 noon until 4pm at Navenny car park.
With a Rodeo bull, duck-n-dive inflatable obstacle course, bouncy castle, games, kids tractor run, Irish Dancers, Trad music and much more, the celebrations are set to be bigger and better than ever.
In Gaoth Dobhair the parade begins at 2 pm leaving Bunbeg Crossroads and arriving in Derrybeg between 3 and 4 pm. Organisers have said spectators are welcome along the way but appealed to them to stay off the road for their own safety.
In Dunfanaghy the parade starts at 1.30pm with traditional 1pm to 3 pm.
The parade includes marching bands, food and craft stalls, a free kids Disco at the market house from 2.30pm, face painting, games and much more.
In the morning, the new Leprechaun Leap 5k Walk / Run will be held from 10am and there will be prizes for the best dressed Leprechaun.
Ramelton will hold is inaugural St Patrick’s Day Parade at 2.30 pm with Gamble’s Square closed from midday to 4pm to facilitate the event.
In Falcarragh the parade will begin from St Fionán’s Church and will commence at 3.30 pm.
The parade in Carrigart starts at 1pm with the ever popular John Bosco entertaining the crowd from 12.30pm. All vehicle floats to assemble at chapel car park from 12.30pm and walking groups from Logue’s Bar, Carrigart at 12.45pm
This year, the committee will be streaming the event live via Facebook page ‘Mevagh St Patrick’s Day Parade.’
There will be prizes for winners and a prize for best float as Gaelige.
Parades are also happening in Donegal Town at 3pm, starting at the Don Bosco Centre.
In Bundoran the parade will be led by a colour party from the 28th Infantry Battalion at Finner Camp and starts at 3.3 pm.
Moville are hosting a three-day celebration for the national saint with a weekend filled with Irish music, delicious food, and lively entertainment, as well as the parade.
In Ballyshannon the parade gets underway at 2 pm and is themed around the 200th birthday commemoration of esteemed local poet William Allingham and his literary contributions.
Killybegs parade will follow its traditional route starting from St. Catherine’s Vocational School at 3 pm and be accompanied by the Killaghtee Accordion Band. Participants are asked to gather at the school by 2.30 pm.
Ardara’s celebration takes place on the Monday Bank Holiday starting at 3.30 pm from the Church Car Park and all participants are asked to be there before 3 pm. A prize will be awarded for the best shop window display.
SEE MONDAY AND NEXT THURSDAY’S DONEGAL NEWS FOR COVERAGE.
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