St Patrick’s Day Parade 2026 a huge success

By Barry Cogan

Thanks to the hard-working organising committee, this year’s Saint Patrick’s Day parade was the biggest and best attended parade to date, blessed with a fine day.  Grand Marshalls of the Parade, the Carrigaline Pipe Band, were represented on the viewing stand by their Manager and former side drummer Paddy O’Connell, Chairman Mark O’Flynn and Assistant Treasurer and former Bass Drummer Denis Drinan.

Led by the World Champions, the Carrigaline Pipe Band, the parade left the Lower Kilmoney Rd from Dairygold Coop Stores at 2 pm and in an orderly fashion all 32 exhibits followed and paraded through the Main Street to the church.  Next were the army colour party accompanied by the IUMVA (Irish United Nations Veterans Association Post5), followed by the Irish Coastguard four vans concluding with a tractor towing their rescue boat.

The biggest section of the parade was the underage Carrigaline GAA with several hundred involved. Spiderman, princesses and other children’s characters intermingled with the participants and the 15 vintage cars interspersed throughout the parade.  Carrigaline Fire Brigade had four vehicles, followed by the Order of Malta complete with rescue trolley and two ambulances, followed up by Ballygarvan GAA who had a huge number of participants. Carrigaline First responders had a float followed by the RNLI volunteers and jeep towing their rescue boat.

Áine Corrigan (Volunteer); Juliet Donoghue (Festival Committee); Liam O'Connor (Volunteer); Ben Woods (Festival Committee) & Sahana Sharma (Volunteer), at the Carrigaline St.Patrick's Day Parade, 17th March 2026. Photo Siobhán Russell

The Mary Murphy School of Art had the most colourful entry with an enormous dragon which was one of the highlights of the parade. Carrigaline and District Lions club jeep and trailer advertised their forthcoming fundraisers including the Rebecca Storm concert in April.  The IFA float was led by Fr James Mc Sweeney co PP on his Dexta tractor towing a trailer carrying a sign wishing us all a happy St Patrick’s Day followed by Finbarr O'Mahony towing a trailer of a sheep and lambs and claves. Upwards of 30 mini tractors and their junior drivers enthusiastically followed.  

Oliver O’Leary and Sean Coleman had preceded them before the parade showing everyone their pet lambs. Mc Mahons Builder Providers who are opening for business in the Kilnagleary Business Park this Wednesday March 25^th had a van and a truck. St Patrick led the two Carrigaline Men’s Shed decorated floats depicting their activities.  

Ballinhassig GAA followed by another St Patrick leading the Tidy Towns Float and display on a Pavilion truck promoting Tree Week, followed by Brendan Marshall with a vintage tractor and bailer.  Five Land Rovers, Carrigaline Musical Society and Carrigaline Athletic Club were next. AbbeyVille Vets had two giant animals a cat and a dog creating fun and entertainment for the crowd.

Next was Owenabue Educate Together National School, GS Recovery Truck, and SuperValu three vehicles.  Carrigaline United Soccer Academy had a huge number of participants followed by Shamrock’s Hurling and Football Club, the Scout Group, Carrigaline Rugby, Carrigaline Basketball Club bouncing balls, Tracton GAA and Passage West Ladies Football bringing up the rear.

The whole event was very well organised with adequate stewarding and safety barriers on the route all which were collected immediately after the event was over.  

The street had been nicely decorated with bunting and several of the shops had St Patrick's Day themed windows. 

A huge thank you to all those who took part in the parade, and congratulations to the Carrigaline St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee for another fantastic event!