Cork City

The 2011 St. Patricks Festival runs from Thursday 17th March to Sunday 20th and kicks off with the Red Bull City Currach Race which will begin at 11.45 am, taking place directly before the City Parade in the section of river along Merchants Quay between Brian Boru and St Patrick's Bridge.

The theme of this year's parade is Happiness and is the largest parade in the south of Ireland with up to 2,500 participants.

This year's festival will be jam packed with family friendly events including free facepainting, childrens craft workshops, local traditional music and dance from Comhaltas and circus performers as well as showcasing the best of local artisan food and craft producers at the Barrys Tea Market in the heart of the city.

And that's just Thurs!!! The festivities continue throughout the weekend, you can download the full programme here.

Skibbereen

Parade starts at 2.30p.m leaving from Kennedy Bridge

A fun afternoon, of Irish Music, Irish Dancing and activities for all the family.

Macroom

Macroom hosts one of the biggest parades outside of Cork City. This year the parade begins on Sun 13th at 3.30 p.m and the day will be topped off with a post-parade circus show and fireworks display at 7.30 p.m.

Coppeen (near Enniskeane)

This years parade is extra-special as it is a celebration of its 40th Anniversary! The parade begins at 3 p.m and will feature all the usual attractions including childrens sports, horseshoe pitching, the long puck, a bouncy castle and much more.

Castletownbere

Celebrations begin on Thurs 17th with live music in the Square from 2p.m and the parade begins at 3p.m. A great day out for all the family.

Fermoy

The Fermoy Parade will begin at 11.00am from Cavanaghs Garage, Cork Road. It will continue down McCurtain Street and finish on Patrick Street.

Ballingeary

Parade begins after 10 o'clock mass on St. Patrick's Day.

Bantry

On Sun 20th March at 2p.m-  A lively mix of traditional and ethnic bands, local schools & organisations, face painting and fun for young and old.

Cobh

Thurs March 17th starting at 'The Bench' at 3.30pm. The theme of this year's parade is "Positivity".

Courtmacsherry

Ireland’s only land and sea parade. The festival mass as Gaeilge will be held at 9.30am in the Church of the Sacred Heart with local choirs and schoolchildren taking part. 

The sea parade leaves Woodpoint at 4.15pm. A flotilla of boats, adorned with bunting, will be led by the local lifeboat and St. Patrick will arrive on the pier. The land parade begins at 4.45pm, led by the Butter Exchange Band.

Midleton

Midleton St Patricks Day Parade leaves Distillary Lane at 3pm and will make its way up Main Street and finishes at the The Court House.
Street entertainment starts at 2.15pm outside Wallis' Bar with acrobats and a samba group.

If you have any more details on the above parades, or know of any parades happening that are not listed here, please don't hesitate to send me an email and I can share the information!