Earlier this week, the streets of Bray were transformed into a vibrant sea of green as record crowds gathered under bright spring sunshine for the 2026 St. Patrick’s Day Parade. After forty-eight hours of deliberation and a massive public response, we are thrilled to officially announce this year’s award winners!
The 2026 parade was a masterclass in creativity and togetherness. Led by Grand Marshal Dylan Kavanagh (the reigning Bray Person of the Year), the procession featured over 2,500 participants representing 42 local organisations, clubs, and businesses. From the Town Hall to the seafront, the energy was truly electric.
Expert Eyes and Public Hearts
While the atmosphere was one of pure celebration, there was also a keen sense of competition. The main award categories were adjudicated on the day by a dedicated judging panel comprising representatives from the local District. These judges had the difficult task of scoring each entry on creativity, effort, and how well it captured the spirit of the occasion as they passed the reviewing stand.
In addition to the adjudicated awards, community engagement reached new heights this year. Following the festivities, the public took to their screens to support their favourites. We are excited to share that over 10,000 public votes were cast this year, making the “Public Vote” one of the most hotly contested categories in the festival’s history.
The 2026 Award Winners
- Best Overall Entry – Dancers Workshop Academy
- Special Recognition Award – Ciranda Ireland
- Most Entertaining Entry – Studio X Dance Group
- Best Community Entry – Bray Tidy Towns
- Best Sports Entry – Bray Emmets GAA
- Best Spirit of St. Patrick’s Day – Scoil Rince Fáinne Irish Dancing School
- Public Vote – Studio X Dance Group
A Spectacular Showcase
The Dancers Workshop Academy claimed the prestigious title of Best Overall Entry with a performance that combined technical precision with high-octane joy. The competition for the Public Vote was particularly intense, with Studio X Dance Group securing the win after receiving an incredible 38% of the total votes cast—an impressive feat considering the high standard across the board.
The Best Spirit of St. Patrick’s Day was proudly presented to Scoil Rince Fáinne Irish Dancing School, whose dedication to traditional Irish dance and culture resonated deeply with the panel. We also saw a beautiful display of diversity from Ciranda Ireland, while local legends Bray Tidy Towns and Bray Emmets GAA proved once again that the heart of Bray lies in its community and sporting pride.
Reflecting on the success of the event, Festival Chairperson Mick Glynn praised the “impressive effort” of every group involved: “This year’s parade was a fantastic celebration of community, creativity, and pride in our town… Events like this highlight the strong community spirit that exists in Bray.”
Congratulations to all our winners! Your hard work and passion made the 2026 St. Patrick’s Festival the “crown jewel” of our local calendar.