Bain sult as cúig lá de spraoi iontach teaghlaigh!
Bí réidh do thaispeántas bríomhar d’oidhreacht na hÉireann, de mheon pobail, agus d’éagsúlacht chultúrtha agus Féile agus Paráid Phádraig Bhré ag filleadh ar cheiliúradh iontach eile. Cuirfear tús leis na féilte ar an Déardaoin, 14ú Márta agus leanann siad ar aghaidh go dtí Saoire Bhainc ar an Luan, 18ú Márta, 2024
Bray is set to host yet another spectacular celebration with the return of the St. Patrick’s Festival and Parade
Get ready for a vibrant display of Irish heritage, community spirit, and cultural diversity as Bray’s St. Patrick’s Festival and Parade returns for another spectacular celebration.
The festivities kick off on Thursday, March 14th and continue until Bank Holiday Monday, March 18th, 2024, the festival promises an unforgettable experience for locals and visitors alike.
Come and join the celebrations in the county Wicklow town as the event offers a diverse range of activities suitable for all ages and interests. You can witness the colourful and energetic Bray Parade, enjoy live music and dance performances, experience the exhilarating rides at Bird’s Euroshow Funfair, or immerse yourself in the whimsical world of puppet shows. For those who prefer a more relaxed pace, there are informative talks and even yoga available, and unique face painting designs to choose from. With so much to do, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
President of the Bray & District Chamber of Commerce, Kieran Ward, said “I am excited and looking forward to the up and coming St Patrick’s Festival and parade in March. The event is significant in highlighting Bray’s vibrant culture and strong sense of community, as well as a welcome boost to our local economy. The parade and various free family-filled fun, ensure there’s something enjoyable for everyone to experience.”
The St. Patrick’s Day Bray Parade will be a celebration of different cultures, communities, and organisations.
Why not gather along the parade route to witness the impressive 1,500 participants as they journey through the town in a truly spectacular fashion?
Again, this year there will be a quiet zone at the junction of Quinsborough Road and Seymour Road.
There is also a new wheelchair-accessible viewing area adjacent to the viewing stand. Places are limited and are on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Parade Grand Marshal this year is Bray’s ‘Person of the Year’ Desi O’Toole. Desi who is a former bus driver, has raised more than €1 million for local charities such as Living Life, St. Catherine’s Special School, and The Wicklow Hospice, among others. He has actively participated in fundraising and community work for over three decades.
Pictured are Bray Person of the Year Desi O’Toole receiving his award from Bray & District Chamber president Sarah Finnegan
There will be road closures in place on Sunday, March 17th from 1 pm until after 3 pm to facilitate the Parade route. Roads affected include Main Street, Florence Road, Eglinton Road, Quinsboro Road, Seymour Road, Seapoint Road, Strand Road and surrounding junctions. Read Wicklow County Council’s notice here.
Cllr Melanie Corrigan, Cathaoirleach of Bray Municipal District, said “As Cathaoirleach, I am thrilled to witness the enthusiasm and joy that the festival brings to Bray. It not only showcases the talents of our community but also reinforces the bonds that make Bray a truly vibrant and inclusive place to call home.
New for 2024 – St. Patrick’s Day Bray Parade Public Vote
This year, organisers introduced a fresh initiative, inviting the public to cast their votes for their favourite Bray Parade participant.
Voting is now closed – The closing date for voting was 6 pm on Monday, March 18th, 2024.
Thank you for participating in the voting process! We received thousands of votes, and we appreciate everyone’s contribution. The public vote champion will be revealed in the coming days on bray.ie’s socials: X, Facebook and Instagram.
This year’s St. Patrick’s Festival has something for all the family. Take a look at the line-up:
From Thursday, March 14th until Bank Holiday Monday, March 18th 2024
- Get ready to enjoy a thrilling and exciting experience at Bird’s Euroshow Funfair. Don’t miss the grand opening on Thursday, March 14th at 3 pm and is open daily along Bray Seafront until Bank Holiday Monday, March 18th from 12 pm to 10 pm.
- At your leisure grab the family or a bunch of friends for an adventuresome day out with Family Treasure Hunt Experience. Access to the questionnaire here.
- Learn how to Irish dance with a virtual Céilí by Scoil Rince Fáinne. Keep scrolling down to watch or click here.
- Witness iconic landmarks across Bray, including the Town Hall, Civic Offices, and The Bandstand, light up in green to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day!
- There’s some great toe-tapping live music throughout the town’s many venues. Full music listings can be found at bray.ie/events/.
Friday, March 15th 2024
- Join White Doodle for a St. Patrick’s Day themed mixed-media workshop from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm. This event is perfect for kids aged 5 and up who want to draw, paint, print and make collages. All materials are provided, but please bring an old T-shirt or apron. Sign up for free here. Places are limited – booking is essential.
- Join Blány Henderson for a free 2-hour beginner’s dynamic yoga workshop from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm this spring. The event is for charity, with donations going to Women’s Aid. Sign up for free here. Places are limited – booking is essential. In association with Elaine Barry Physio.
Saturday, March 16th 2024
- Join Julie-Rose McCormick, a puppeteer, as she amazes young and old audiences with her lively puppet show of Leprechaun Tales at the Bandstand from 12 pm to 1 pm.
- Let the brilliant Suzie from White Doodle Face Art delight children with free face painting opposite the Bandstand from 1 pm to 3 pm.
- The Seafront Bandstand plays host to a spectacular Hip Hop dance-off with Studio X Dance Group from 1 pm to 2 pm
- Learn some Irish Dancing moves with Shauna McGauran and then experience the electrifying energy of Irish Dancing as performers from Scoil Rince Fáinne, McGrath Flood School of Irish Dancing and Shauna McGauran School of Irish Dance take the stage from 2 pm to 4 pm.
- At the Mermaid at 8 pm “On The Road Again” promises to be a fun evening of songs and stories as Fiachna Ó Braonáin of Hot House Flowers and Radio 1, Tom Dunne from Something Happens and Newstalk & Alan Connor from the Late Late Show band hit the road together for the very first time! See mermaidartscentre.ie to book.
St. Patrick’s Day – Sunday, March 17th 2024
- Get ready for a fun St. Patrick’s Day celebration with your family, filled with pony rides and nature-themed activities at Festina Lente from 10 am to 3 pm! Book at eventbrite.ie/e/st-patricks-day-family-fun-2024-tickets-801037152687.
- The festival’s main event, the St. Patrick’s Day Bray Parade will kick off at 2 pm from the Town Hall to the viewing stand at the northern part of the Seafront.
- At the Mermaid, Neil Delamere is back with a brand new show – Neil by Mouth at 8 pm. Catch the usual hilarious tall tales, razor-sharp observations and quick-witted improvisation for which this awfully funny Offaly man has become notorious. See mermaidartscentre.ie to book.
Bank holiday Monday, March 18th 2024
- Join the Boomerang Brass Band (UK) live at the clock tower in Enniskerry Village at 12:30 pm and again at 1:45 pm
- The Bray Vintage Car Club will be showcasing some of their members’ beautiful classic and vintage cars from 2 pm to 4 pm opposite the Bandstand.
- Find the snakes, and shamrocks around Bray and celebrate St. Patrick with a historical talk by Brian White of Bray Cualann Historical Society. The meeting point is the Town Hall on Bray Main Street at 3 pm. The talk is free with no registration required.
- Enjoy live music performances from the Celtic Grace Band at the Seafront Bandstand at 2 pm followed by the Boomerang Brass Band (UK) at 3:45 pm.
- Don’t miss out on the mesmerising and unforgettable Fire Show, guaranteed to take your breath away with its stunning beauty at the Bandstand from 7 pm to 7:30 pm.
Advance notice
By attending any of Bray’s St. Patrick’s Festival events, all participants/festival goers agree to the following: photos, audio, and video recordings will be taken throughout the event, which will be used on organisers’ social media channels, websites, and external sites and partner sites.
Scroll down further down this page to view and download the festival pocket guide and map, take part in the festival competition to win a Funfair Family Golden Ticket, listen to the festival’s Homegrown Irish Music Spotify Playlist 2024, how to get to Bray and more.
All information stated on this page and in the festival pocket guide is correct at the time of publication. All events are subject to change without notice and may be dependant on weather.
Be sure to stay up to date with Bray’s St. Patrick’s Festival event news and updates by following bray.ie on X formerly known as Twitter, Facebook or on Instagram.
Festival Pocket Guide – (Click on the image to download)
Having trouble accessing our festival Pocket Guide above? Download it here – Please consider the environment before printing!
The Festival Competition is now closed
Up for grabs was a Funfair Family Golden Ticket (unlimited funfair access throughout St. Patrick’s Day (Sunday, March 17th 2024). A family can consist of two adults with up to three children. The golden ticket is non-transferable.
The competition ended on Sunday, March 10th 2024 at 6 pm. Thanks to everyone who participated! The winner will be contacted directly. Terms and conditions apply, which are available to read here.
Dancers who participated include Molly Smith, Ella-Louise Kelly, Sophie O’Toole, Abbie Wills, Alex O’Brien, Lauren O’Brien, Ava Sands, Clodagh Sands, Eva Cooney, Emma Roche, Nicole O’Keeffe, Kayla O’Toole, Ava Vahedi, Jessica Turkowska, Aimee Merrigan, Holly Bradley, Ciara Payne and Lorna Dunne.
Scoil Rince Fáinne is an Irish Dancing school in Bray, run by Louise Roe and Anita Nolan.
Their amazing dancers have competed in regional, All Ireland and World Championships. They have won many regional award titles, All Ireland titles, World Cup & medal holders as well as Champion dancers.
Find them on Facebook ➜ https://www.facebook.com/srfirishdance/.
Homegrown Irish Music Spotify Playlist 2024
Listen up are you a local artist or band and want to feature on our #PaddysBray ‘Homegrown Irish Music’ Spotify playlist for 2024? Well, send your Spotify link to info@bray.ie or via WhatsApp at +353 85 851 2455 for consideration. Listen to the playlist here.
2024 Festival Map – (Click on the image to enlarge or download)
Having trouble accessing our festival map above? Download it here – Please consider the environment before printing!
Bray Parade 2024 Photo Gallery
There’s plenty to keep you and your family busy between events so why not make a break for Bray this St. Patrick’s long weekend
Take a dip in the waters of our beach if you’re brave enough, explore our incredible coastline or open up your imagination by exploring the award-winning Brave Maeve Story Trail. Go Tenpin Bowling at Bray Bowl, enjoy a world of entertainment all under one roof at Star Amusements or make a splash with family and friends at Shoreline’s swimming pool.
Bray is the perfect destination, whether it’s a family holiday or simply a weekend break this spring, why not plan your visit by utilising our award-winning website? Simply hit the menu button to explore things to see and do, eat and drink, places to stay + more.
Traffic Restrictions
Road closures will be in place on St. Patrick’s Day (March 17th) from 1 pm until after 3 pm to facilitate the St. Patrick’s Day Bray Parade. Roads affected include Main Street, Florence Road, Eglinton Road, Quinsboro Road, Seymour Road, Seapoint Road, Strand Road and surrounding junctions.
Getting to Bray
Getting to Bray couldn’t be simpler as the town has a substantial public transport network, both north from Dublin and south from County Wicklow and County Wexford. Please plan your journey here.
Bray’s St. Patrick’s Festival is proudly brought to you by Bray and District Chamber of Commerce, bray.ie and Bray Municipal District, Wicklow County Council. Bray.ie is the trading name of Bray Tourism.
Latest news – Be sure to stay up to date with Bray’s St. Patrick’s Festival event news and updates by following bray.ie on X formerly known as Twitter, Facebook or on Instagram.
Join the conversation – Festival hashtags are #StPatricksFestivalBray #PaddysBray #PaddysBré #Bray #LoveBray.
Parade Participating Groups
We sincerely appreciate the support from numerous businesses, artists, community groups, and clubs that contributed to the success of this year’s parade. Your involvement was essential, and we couldn’t have achieved it without your assistance:
- 11th Wicklow Kilmacanogue Beavers
- 12th Wicklow Scout Group
- 5th Wicklow (Bray) Sea Scouts
- Ardmore Rovers Football Club
- Artastic
- Bray Emmets GAA Club
- Bray Fire Service
- Bray For Love
- Bray Hockey Club
- Bray Junior Musicals
- Bray Lions Club
- Bray Rowing Club
- Bray School Of Dance
- Bray Vintage Car Club
- Crumlin Marching Band
- Dargle Area Residents Association (DARA)
- East Coast FM
- Enniskerry Youth Club AFC
- Irish Girl Guides
- Lakers
- Masters Temple Martial Arts
- McGrath Flood School of Irish Dancing
- Red the Dog with Julie-Rose McCormick Puppeteer
- Scoil Rince Fáinne Irish Dancing School
- Shankill GAA
- Shauna McGauran School of Irish Dance
- Signal Arts Centre
- Southside Chinese Residents Association
- Square One Theatre Group
- Studio X Dance Group
- The Boomerang Band (UK)
- Vocational School Virovitica
- Wicklow Civil Defence
- Wicklow Coast Guard Unit