St Patricks Day Parade Ballina

06/05/2026

On a bright Friday evening, the annual St Patrick’s Day Awards took place at Ballina Arts
Centre, celebrating the winners from this year’s parade.
The event was opened by Mags Downey-Martin, who congratulated all participants for their
involvement and extended a special thanks to the parents and group leaders whose
dedication ensured the children were so well prepared for the day. She also thanked the
Grand Marshals on the day David Cawley and Fergal Birrane for their generosity with their
time both before and after the parade.
Mary Moyles, President of Ballina Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the parade’s
significance to the local economy and praised the strong turnout of spectators. She also
expressed her gratitude to Ballina Municipal District for their financial support, noting that the
parade would not be possible without it. While some parades around the country were being
cancelled, Ballina’s parade is going from strength to strength.
Matt Farrell, who has served as MC for the parade for an impressive 35 years, announced
the winners. Awards were presented by Councillor Jarlath Munnelly, Cathaoirleach of the
Municipal District.
In his remarks, Councillor Munnelly paid tribute to the parade committee for their commitment
and hard work, wishing them continued success in the years ahead. The evening concluded
with a special presentation from Mary Moyles to the committee in recognition of their efforts.
The overall winner for 2026 was Katie’s Corner and the Community Perpetual Award was
presented to Order of Malta.

The winners of each category were as follows:

1. Voluntary Emergency Services Award:
Winner CIVIL DEFENCE
Merit GRAINNE UAILE SUB AQUA CLUB

2. Voluntary Community Services Award Winner:
Winner TEACH AN UISCE SUB AQUA
SEARCH AND RECOVERY
Merit RIVER MOY SEARCH AND RESCUE

3. Community Participation/Promotion Award
Winner 5 TH MAYO SCOUT GROUP
Merit BALLINA SHOW

4. Youth Participation Award
Winner BOFIELD CCE
Joint Merit ARDAGH/MOY BROWNIES AND BALLINA STEPHENITES HURLING
5. Sports Club Award
Winner ARDNAREE GAA
Joint Merit KILMOREMOY LGFA
6. Diversity in Sport Award
Winner MOY VALLEY AC
Merit BALLINA RUGBY CLUB

7. Culture & Drama Award
Winner SYLVAN KELLY SCHOOL OF DANCING
Merit SCOIL RINCE TARA KENNEDY

8. Primary School Award
Winner KNOCKANILLO NS
Merit GAELSCOIL NA GCEITHRE MAOL

9. Best Float Award
Winner COCA COLA
Merit HOLLISTER

10. St Patrick’s Day Parade Community Perpetual Award (Matt Farrell Trophy Cup)
Winner ORDER OF MALTA

11. St Patrick’s Day Overall winners
Winner KATIE’S CORNER

17/03/2026

☘️Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona duit ☘️

Happy St Patricks Day 🇮🇪🇮🇪

☘️ Gentle Reminder for Today’s Parade ☘️
A quick update for everyone participating in today’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Ballina.

The parade kicks off at 3:00pm, starting from the traditional route at Convent Hill and Mercy Road.

In the interest of safety—especially with so many young people taking part in walking and dancing groups—we kindly ask parents and guardians to drop children as close as possible and walk to their designated meeting points.

Please note that access to Mercy Road and Convent Hill will be restricted to local access only, prior to the parade starting.

💚 Autism-Friendly Parade Space 💚
We’re proud to host Ballina’s 2nd Autism-Friendly St. Patrick’s Day Parade organised by Ballina Autism Friendly Town

A Relaxed Parade Space will be available on McDermott Street (Lower Convent Hill), beginning at the entrance to Convent Hill Estate.

We look forward to seeing you all there for a safe, inclusive, and joyful town and community celebration.

☘️ Enjoy the day everyone! ☘️

13/03/2026

☘️ Grand Marshals Announced for the St Patricks Day Parade Ballina! ☘️

Ballina is getting ready for a fantastic celebration this St. Patrick’s Day, and the organisers Ballina.ie & Ballina Chamber of Commerce are delighted to announce that two proud Ballina natives, David Cawley and Fergal Birrane will lead the 2026 parade as Grand Marshals.

With this year’s theme “Pride of Ballina,” both David and Fergal perfectly represent the spirit of our town through their achievements in sport and their pride in their hometown. 💚

📅 Tuesday, 17th March
🕒 3:00pm
📍 Ballina Town

Expect vibrant colour, music, community groups, sports clubs and plenty of celebration as the streets of Ballina come alive once again.

Read more in link in comments.



Images courtesy of David Cawley and Sligo Rovers F.C.

13/03/2026

☘️ Ballina’s Own to Lead the Parade! ☘️

There’s great excitement building in Ballina as two of our own, David Cawley and Fergal Birrane, have been named Grand Marshals for the 2026 St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Proud Ballina men who have made their mark in sport, David and Fergal truly represent this year’s theme — “Pride of Ballina.” 💚

Join us as the town comes alive with colour, music, community groups, sports clubs and plenty of Mayo spirit for a fantastic day of celebration.

📅 St. Patrick’s Day – 17th March
🕒 3:00pm
📍 Ballina Town

Bring the family, meet friends and celebrate everything that makes our town special. ☘️



(images courtesy of Sligo Rovers F.C. and David Cawley.)

17/02/2026

🍀 Ballina St Patrick’s Day Parade 2026 🍀
Pride of Ballina 😊
Get ready to celebrate! The 2026 St Patrick’s Day Parade will take place in Ballina on Tuesday, 17th March, starting at 3:00pm.

We’re looking forward to filling the streets of Ballina with vibrant colour, uplifting music, rich tradition and proud local history as we showcase the fantastic community groups, sports clubs, businesses and individuals who make our town so special.

✨ Parade Theme: Pride of Ballina
🕒 Assembly Time: From 3:00pm
📍 Meeting Point: Mercy Road, Ballina
⚠️ Please note: There will be no access to Mercy Road for participant drop-offs.

If your group, organisation or business would like to take part, please register here:
👉 https://forms.office.com/e/V3rNePX2bw

Further details will be shared in the coming weeks.

Please note that participation in the Ballina St Patrick’s Day Parade is subject to approval by the organisers. All applicants will be contacted to confirm arrangements.
We can’t wait to celebrate the Pride of Ballina with you! 🇮🇪

15/01/2026

💚🇮🇪 Ballina is getting ready to celebrate! 🇮🇪💚 ☘️☘️

Preparations have begun for this year’s St Patrick’s Day Parade in Ballina ☘️☘️
Bringing together families, friends, and our amazing community to celebrate all that’s great about our town 🍀✨

More information to follow shortly — it’s shaping up to be a fantastic day!

22/03/2025

The most amazing day, in Ballina, March 17th 2025.
Part 2

22/03/2025

The most amazing day, in Ballina, March 17th 2025.
Part 1.

18/03/2025

Well done and congratulations to the committee members of Ballina Autism Friendly Town

Ballina hosted the town’s first Autism friendly parade on St Patrick’s Day.

18/03/2025

.What a fantastic day at the St Patricks Day Parade Ballina in Ballina, celebrating everything that makes our community so special!

A heartfelt Go Raibh Maith Agaibh to everyone who came out to enjoy the parade and to the incredible volunteers who made the day so memorable.

A special thank you to Dr. Norah Patten: Scientist-Astronaut Candidate Ballina’s St. Patrick’s Day parade Grand Marshal, for her generosity and kindness.
She took the time to engage with everyone along the parade route, making the day even more special for all.

🚀☄️☘️🔥☀️⭐️⭐️⭐️

More pictures to follow ☘️🙌