What St Patrick's Day parades are taking place in Laois?

Lots of Laois towns will celebrate St Patrick's Day with parades on Friday, March 17.

The biggest on the calendar of festivities is likely to be in Portlaoise but there'll be lots of fun also in Rathdowney, Ballyroan, Vicarstown, Stradbally, Timahoe, Abbeyleix, Durrow, Mountrath, Spink, Clonaslee, Rosenallis, Killeshin and Graiguecullen.

STRADBALLY PARISH

There are co-ordinated parades in Stradbally Parish. Vicarstown starts at 9am leading to 9:30 am Mass in The Church of the Assumption. Timahoe parade kicks off at 10am leading to St Michaels Church, Timahoe for Mass at 10:30am. The Stradbally Parade kicks off from the Top of the Town (Rathmore Rd) at 11am leading to St Patrick’s Day Mass in The Sacred Heart Church at 11:30am. Everyone is encouraged to participate in any way possible!

Ballyroan

There's an early start in Ballyroan after Mass outside St Patrick's Church. The parade at 9.30am will be followed by music by the Ballyroan Brass Band outside the old school house and tea and biscuits served by Vintage Club/Ballyroan Community Development Association.

Abbeyleix

Abbeyleix is sure to be awesome and lots of effort has gone into turning the town green. The Parade starts at 12 noon

Durrow

There'll be family fun in Durrow from 12noon until 3pm in The Square. The Parade will commence at 1.30pm. All are most welcome to join and celebrate.

SPINK

The Spink Parade takes place from 10.15pm from St Laserian's Church car park. All are welcome to take part and attend. Refreshments after in the hall.

Graiguecullen

The Graiguecullen parade begins in Carlow Town Park at 11am and proceed through the streets finishing at St Clare's Church arriving for 11.30am Mass.

Killeshin

Killeshin holds its 37th Parade assembling at the new school for 9.15 am. Clubs and Organisations are asked to bring banners and flags. Mass is at 10am afterwards. There's now Mountmellick Parade but there will be parades in Rosenallis and Clonaslee.

Rosenallis

The Rosenallis parade takes place at 3.30pm - meet at John's. Prizes for best participants on the day. Refreshments and awards community centre after.

Clonaslee

The Clonaslee Grand Marshall is Garrett Culliton, Paralympian. Assembly at the Community Centre from 11 am and there are lots of prizes on offer.

Rathdowney

The Rathdowney parade is shaping up to be the best yet Andrea Daly of Operation Transformation as Grand Marshal leading the way with St Patrick himself Kieran O’ Loughlin. This year’s parade theme STRONGER TOGETHER. The day also features music on the bandstand from 11am and lots for the family and prizes. The parade itself gets underway at 12.05pm after a blessing by Fr Delaney and Rev Seymour Whitley.

Mountrath

The Brazilian Ambassador H.E. Mr Marcel Biato, is to attend this year’s St Patrick Parade in Mountrath in celebration of their 50th anniversary of the parade. The organisers are thrilled as are LABRAS the Laois Brazilian Support Association.

This year’s festivities in Mountrath will begin with live music and entertainment in the Square from the slightly earlier time of 11.15am.

There'll be entertainment from the ‘Lynam School of Dancing’, Deliverance and Brian & Figs, Ciara & Jean from the award winning ‘Lord of the Dance.

The Square will be filled with activity, with free bouncing castles and free face painting.

The parade organisers anticipate a big parade this year, with high volume of participants already confirmed to take part.

Anyone with a float or truck to be in the GAA field by 11.30am to ensure that the parade starts on time. The parade is set to take place at 12.30am from St Fintans GAA field. Participants are asked to be ready in the field by midday to start the formation.

Jimmy Conroy, the last living committee member of the first Mountrath St Patrick Parade, will lead as Grand Marshall in honour of the 50th anniversary.

As Grand Marshall, Jimmy will be paraded through the town from St Fintan’s GAA field in a car driven by David Clegg.

Portlaoise

After a three year break, the St Patrick’s Day parade is back and will be led by champions.

The Laois All-Ireland winning Ladies Gaelic Football team will be Grand Marshalls of the parade.

The committee is delighted to have them and says the community can look forward to numerous floats, music, entertainment, trade stands, Irish dancing and much, much more again on the big day.

The Parade starts from County Hall at 12.30pm going up the Main St (from the bottom to the top square) and expected to finish at 2pm. It will be followed by a community event on Main St featuring music, trade stands, Irish dancing and more.

The Chairperson of St Patrick’s Day Committee is Dominic Dunne.

‘This is going to be a great event and it will be a major boost financially to the town, but of course also great morale for everyone living in Portlaoise and the surrounding areas of Laois,” commented Mr Dunne.

To enter a float or for any queries, contact Chairperson Dominic Dunne at 086 8312034 or Secretary, Pauline Flanagan at 0879984574.

Masses and Services will also take place in churches around Laois over the weekend in honour of Ireland's patron saint.