St Patrick's Weekend event guide

AS St Patrick’s Day is on Sunday (March 17), we might as well make a weekend of celebrations out of it.

There’s plenty on out in about and whether your perfect St Patrick’s Day starts with a full Irish, while wearing a free-range shamrock (go easy on the tinfoil) and ends with a sing-song, with a bit of toe-tapping, parade watching and milling about in-between, then here’s a quick glance guide.

There’s plenty going on in Newry and Mourne for families, from parades, face painting, paddling and of course, if getting away from the hustle and bustle is more your cup of tae then the forest walks in our area may be the answer.

If prayer is your thing, then churches and chapels near you will be celebrating St Patrick’s Day

With the no GAA Club Finals on the sacred day, many Gaels are lost on St Patrick’s Day. Check out with your club, they could be involved in a parade or doing something. Our GAA President Jarlath Burns was power-hosing his club grounds ahead of new season, last year.

And getting out, meeting friends, having a few ‘sociables’ before a night of going buck mad then you’ll get your fix over St Patrick’s weekend too.

Family Events

Main St Patrick’s Day Parade in Newry City

St Patrick's Day Parades will be the centre of celebrations in Newry on St Patrick’s Day.

Led by St Patrick himself, the St Patrick's Day Parade in Newry on Sunday (March 17) will offer a feast for eyes and ears as swirling dancers, community floats and costumed characters entertain the crowds.

St Patrick's Festivities will be happening in Newry City from noon to 4pm on St Patrick's Day.

What time does the St Patrick's Parade start in Newry?

In Newry, the St Patrick's Day Parade departs from The Quays Shopping Centre at 1pm (Albert Basin side) and will proceed along Merchants Quay, Sugar Island, ending at The Mall.

What else is happening on St Patrick's Day in Newry?

The are plenty of St Patrick's festivities planned for Newry City including the St Patrick's Day Parade, live music, dance, family friendly entertainment zone, ceili, crazy golf, kid's disco, climbing wall, a puppet show, and family activities at Newry and Mourne Museum. 

See details and locations below:

Main Festival Stage will be located at Marcus Square.

Main Festival Stage Programme

1pm-1.30pm: Cloughmór Ceili Band featuring special guests.

1.45pm - 2.15pm: The Bellas an all-female band incorporating pop with Irish themes and melodies.

2.30pm - 3pm: Fifth Avenue an eclectic blend of passionate musicians covering a wide range of genres and styles.

3.10pm - 4pm: Lee Matthews award winning country music singer and songwriter.

The afternoon will be compéred by Newry’s own, Rozlyn Sheridan.

Festive activities at Newry and Mourne Museum for St Patrick's Day.

Margaret Square - Dance Exhibition, Ceili Marquee and Kids Zone. 

12 - 4pm: Kids arts and Crafts in the Kids Zone tent.

12 – 1pm: Ceilidh Marquee Warrenpoint Comhaltas.

1.30– 4pm: Open Ceilidh dance for all with Oisin McCann Ceilidh Band called by Raymond Carroll and other guests

Also catch Sharon Carroll performing her beautiful harp ensemble in the Quays shopping centre and in the Ceilidh.

A Family Village at McClelland Park

This family friendly zone will feature a roaring good time with Roar Roar Dinosaur on walkabout for photo-ops and fun.

Also, a chance to play Crazy Golf with the children, dance your hearts out at the Kids’ Disco, have a go on a climbing wall or catch one of the regular puppet shows.

Begin the St Patrick's Day celebrations in style by joining on the water for a paddle board event on the beautiful shoreline of Warrenpoint, Carlingford Lough.

9.30am - 11.30am: St Patrick’s Family Paddle

Start the day's festivities off with a splash, meeting up with other families and heading off for a fun-filled journey along the shore.

Instructors will play loads of games with the kids (and big kids too!) and parents can either join in or take it easy, chilling out on the water while we entertain the young ones.

12.30pm – 2.30pm: Paddy's Day Paddle & Pint

The second session of the day follows a similar theme to the morning session, however this one is for adults only.

After your SUP session, you are taken over to a local bar where you can soak up some live traditional music and soak up the atmosphere of St Patrick's Day celebrations, maybe even with a wee pint of the black stuff.

Warrenpoint Comhaltas with St Bronagh’s Rostrevor

11.30am: Mass with Corn na nOg at St Mary’s Church Rostrevor.

2.30pm at Kilbroney Parish Church: Saints and Scholars

Performance by children from Corn na nOg (Rostrevor’s children choir), followed by a talk from Susan Farrell and John McCavitt on Bronach and Patrick and their influence on Christianity in Kilbroney.

4pm at St Bronagh’s GAA Social Club:

Community Tea Party

Traditional Music with Comhaltas Rinn Mhic Giolla Rua, songs by Corn na Nog, Irish dancing performance by Nolan Kerrin School of Dance. Tea, coffee and sweet treats served.

Donations welcome.

Forkhill Community Association in partnership with Peadar O Doirnin GAA

1pm: Parade leaves chapel carpark, with Irish dancing, children’s face painting, stalls and music throughout the day.