St Patrick's Day 2026: What's Happening In Kildare This Year

A number of road closures are expected, with all information provided

It's a busy day for Kildare this St. Patrick's Day, with an array of parades and street festivals taking place.

On this morning's Kildare Today, we visited the towns and villages marking the day with parades, including one town with a street festival.

Athy

This year's theme for Athy's parade is 'Community Spirt'. Organised by Athy Town Promoters, this year's parade highlights local pride, participation and togetherness.

It begins at 3pm, with Frank Taaffe as Grand Marshal.

The meeting point for the parade is Athy Industrial Estate, Kilkenny Road.

All walking groups to meet from 2.30pm, with vintage cars and bikes being asked to meet at 2pm.

Traffic will be restricted along this route while the parade takes place.

Motorists are advised to plan alternative routes and allow extra travel time.

Castledermot

Organised by Castledermot Vintage Club, the parade promises a fantastic display of vintage vehicles, local clubs and community groups, along with free family-friendly entertainment throughout the afternoon.

Registration on the day opens at 12pm.

The parade begins on Hamilton Road at 2pm.

Main Street will be closed to traffic during the parade to accommodate participants and spectators.

Gardaí and local stewads will control traffic management.

Celbridge

This year's theme is 'Gulliver's Travels', marking the 300th anniversary of Jonathan Swift’s famous novel, closely linked to Celbridge.

Ohio State University Marching Band will be joining the parade.

The parade starts at 4pm, Church Road, Main Street and Maynooth Road, Celbridge.

Main Street will be closed from 1.30pm to facilitate the parade, and will reopen at 6pm.

Clane

Clane is celebrating it's 21st anniversary of hosting the St. Patrick's Day Parade, with this year's theme being 'Forty Shades of Green'.

There will be pre-parade entertainment from 2pm.

The parade begins at 3pm.

The Grand Marshal is Ted Murray.

No parking is allowed on the day, with road closures and diversions in place.

Road closures will be in effect from 2pm.

Kilcock

Kilcock's 2026 parade theme is 2026 theme is 'On Our Screens – from Soaps to Superheroes' inviting colourful costumes, creativity and fun for all ages.

The parade begins at 1.30pm from St Joseph’s Graveyard, Boycetown.

Road closures will begin at 1pm, and are expected to reopen approx. 2pm.

Leixlip

Leixlip's parade begins at 1pm, from Station Road to Louisa Bridge.

The Grand Marshal is Tony O'Sullivan.

One of the special vehicles featuring in the parade is a copy of Michael Collins' armour car - the Sliabh na mBan.

Road closures are expected from 1pm, and reopen at 2.30pm.

Maynooth

The town hosts its annual parade as part of Maynooth’s 850th anniversary celebrations.

The 2026 theme is 'Medieval Maynooth', inviting creativity inspired by the town’s rich heritage.

It starts at 11am, with an array of features.

There will be road closures from 10:30am to 12:30pm along Straffan Road and Main Street to allow the parade to take place safely.

Monasterevin

This year's theme is 'Recycling and Sustainability'.

Music and activities begin at 1pm at the Community Centre on St Patrick's Day, while the parade kicks off at 2pm on the main street. 

Newbridge

Starting at 11.45am, the theme is 'Volunteers and Business: The Heart of a Community'.

Newbridge’s annual celebration brings together voluntary groups, sports clubs, local businesses and families.

A number of roads will be closed for the parade, including: R445 / Langton Cross, Standhouse Road / Langton Road junction, Artillery Place, Moorefield Road, Edward Street, Cutlery Road, Station Road / Eyre Street and the R445 / Naas Road.

Traffic wishing to access Newbridge from R445 / Ballymany will be diverted at Langton Cross onto either Langton Road or The Green Road.

Traffic wishing to access Newbridge from R445 / Naas Road will be diverted right onto Canning Place and left onto the Athgarvan Road.

Diversions will be manned by Gardaí, and all road users are asked to co-operate fully and follow Garda directions.

Naas

Naas is hosting a street festival to mark St. Patrick's Day 2026.

Féile Sráide Lá Fhéile Pádraig Nás na Ríogh, the annual Irish Language Saint Patrick’s Day Street Festival is organised by Cill Dara le Gaeilge, and is the largest Irish-speaking event.

It will take place on Naas Main Street from 2pm to 5pm, supported by Kildare County Council, through the Creative Ireland Éire Ildánach Programme.

You can listen to the full interview with the organisers and committee members here: