For the first time in three years St Patrick’s Day celebrations are returning to the streets of Galway City this March for a weekend of festivities.
After being cancelled in both 2020 and 2021, Galway City Council are planning to take full advantage of restrictions lifting with a feast of family entertainment come March.
Plans are currently being developed for a special outdoor village with vintage amusements and family activities.
All this will last throughout the long weekend, giving Galwegians a change for some real community enjoyment once again. This will take place alongside a new spectacular ‘Greening’ initiative and much more.
Patricia Philbin of Galway City Council said “As the majority of COVID-19 restrictions are eased, the St Patrick’s Day Festival will be one of the first real opportunities to gather together and celebrate as a community once again”.
She said that the city council is encouraging as many people and groups as possible to get involved, and showcase the “vast abundance of creative and artistic ability” found in Galway City.
It’s expected that as many as 30,000 people will attend the events taking place over the course of four days.
The centrepiece of the celebrations will of course by the St Patrick’s Day Parade on Thursday, March 17.
After consultation with the emergency services, the parade will once again begin in the shadow of the Galway Cathedral.
Winding its way up University Road, onto the Salmon Weir Bridge and turning right onto Eglinton Street it will meander onto Williamsgate Street and past the official viewing stand in Eyre Square before finishing on Prospect Hill and Bóthar na mBan.
The city council is now calling for applications from groups interested in joining the parade.
As this is a festive, carnival parade, entries involving costumes, performance, audience interaction, and those having musical accompaniment, are strongly encouraged.
The application form for parade entries can be found online here. The closing date for applications is February 21.
