Up to thirty thousand people are expected to descend on Bray for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade which kicks off at the earlier time of 2 pm beside the Town Hall on the Main Street this Saturday, March 17th.
Watch creative acts, floats, the pageantry, colour, music, dance and entertainment from the many participants.
Mick Glynn, the St. Patrick’s Festival Committee Chairman said ‘The Bray parade is one of the largest on the east coast and again this year we are expecting thousands to line the town’s streets were they will be treated to the sights and sounds of the marching bands, majorettes, local groups and clubs’.
Our Parade Grand Marshall this year is Bray person of the year Dr Fidelma Savage who has worked tirelessly with the youth of Bray for over 25 years. She is a very deserving and popular winner of the Bray Person of the Year award 2017.
Road closures will be in place on March 17th from 1 pm until after 4 pm to facilitate the Bray Parade. Roads affected include Main Street, Quinsboro Road, Seapoint Road and Strand Road
Over the long weekend you can enjoy a fun fair, live music, an open-air céilí, puppet shows, street theatre, walks, trails and of course the main event the Festival Parade or simply catch some traditional Irish live music at one of the many venues throughout the town.
The festival continues until Monday (March 19th) and here are the highlights:
- Birds Euroshow is open daily until Bank Holiday Monday, March 19th.
- Catch The Liberties (Dubliners Tribute Act) play thuas staighre sa Harbour Bar on Friday, March 16th. Register for tickets at https://bray.ie/st-patricks-day-festival/.
- Bray Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireannwill host a special performance of traditional Irish music in ‘The Well’ Cornerstone Church, [opposite Royal Hotel] on St. Patrick’s Day, from 6.30pm to 8 pm.
- Learn how to Irish dance on Sunday, March 18th then afterwards enjoy an open-air céilí with The Berry Irish Dance Academy.
- Enjoy Julie Rose as she wows audiences young and old with her collection of Puppet Shows from Punch and Judy to Oisín in Tír na nÓg also on Sunday, March 18th.
- The Bray Head Walk is back this year with Bray Adventures and new for this year is a historical walk. Brian White of the Bray Cualann Historical Society will conduct a walking tour of Bray Main Street. The tour will trace Bray’s links with Shamrock, serpents, patriotic visitors and events that occurred in Bray during St Patrick’s week. Both walks are now sold out.
- On Monday, March 19th watch Monsieur Gusto perform some spectacular outdoor circus performances including handstands, magic, juggling & escapology routines.
- Or why not soak up the atmosphere over the St. Patrick’s long weekend and listen to the jigs and reels in the many venues throughout the town.
President of the Bray & District Chamber of Commerce, Pat Ó Súilleabháin said ‘There are over 30 events taking place throughout the town during the festival so why not join us over the long weekend and help celebrate our national day’.
‘We would appreciate if the public, both spectators and participants alike would leave the Silly String at home this year as it is banned in Bray for the duration of the St. Patrick’s Festival. These are harmful and interfere with public events, such as the parade. Thank you for your cooperation on this matter’ added Pat.
Bray’s St. Patrick’s Festival is proudly brought to you by Bray & District Chamber of Commerce and Wicklow County Council.
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