Preparations underway for local Tipperary town St Patrick's Day parade
The Thurles St Patrick's Day Parade takes place on March 17
Preparations are underway for the 2026 Thurles St Patrick’s Day parade.
The parade will take place on March 17, where the participants will head towards Liberty Square from Abbey Road at 2:30pm.
Traditional music will play in Liberty Square from 1:30pm as the crowds await the procession.
The parade will also provide a sensory area for those with additional needs.
Some Ukrainian groups have been invited to join in the festivities and share their culture on the day.
The organisers have been hard at work over the past number of weeks fundraising for the event, with various church gate collections taking place throughout neighbouring parishes, with gate collectors raising funds in Holycross/Ballycahill last weekend, before heading to Thurles this weekend.
Organisers estimate that the parade is set to cost between €8,000 and €9,000.
They say they are grateful to the various event sponsors that have donated towards the parade so far.
Among the sponsors are Michael’s Jewellers, Thurles Shopping Centre, and Supermac’s.
They have also received a grant from the Tipperary County Council to aid in the organisation of the parade.
Various plaques, medals and prizes are due to be awarded on the day, with plaques available to be given in the categories of Best Performance/Art/Education, Best Dressed Window, Best Small Entry, Best Traditional Window, Best Sports, Judges Special Award, Best Individual Entry, Best Walking Group, and Best Large Entry.
A vase, sponsored by Supermac’s, will also be presented to the Best Large Entry, with a trophy, sponsored by Michael’s Jewellers, presented to the overall winners.
The prize fund for the parade currently stands between €1,800 to €2,000.
The theme for this year’s parade is wearing green, with the organisers encouraging everyone set to attend to wear as much green as possible.
The organisers are currently appealing for stewards to help out on the day.
Anyone interested in helping out can contact 087 977 4725.