A weekend of St. Patrick's Day festivities in east Mayo confirmed

The town of Swinford is set to turn St. Patrick’s Day into an exciting weekend-long festival, bringing together the local community and visitors for a packed schedule of events.

The celebration will culminate with the highly anticipated St. Patrick’s Day Parade at 3 p.m. on March 17, led by Grand Marshal Bríd O’Connell.

Bríd who has been instrumental in organising the popular Siamsa Sraide Street and Arts Festival has also made significant contributions to community initiatives and to preserving and promoting the Irish language, culture and heritage.

The festival will kick off on Friday, March 14, with an official launch event at 8 p.m. in The Whitehouse Bar with a table quiz also taking place on the night.

On Saturday, March 15, the Michael Davitt Comhaltas branch will perform a fundraising session from 10 a.m. at Tesco while in the afternoon, starting at 2 p.m., Swinford GAA will host a Rounders Blitz.

The town is set to come alive on Saturday night with a Trad Trail from 8 p.m.

It’s one of the feature events of the festival as it brings together talented local and visiting musicians, singers and dancers playing in various venues throughout Swinford.

History enthusiasts will have the chance to immerse themselves in the town’s rich past during a special historical talk on Sunday, March 16, at 1 p.m.

The highlight of the weekend, the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, will take place at 3 p.m. on March 17.

The procession will make its way through the streets of Swinford, where spectators can expect a fantastic display of floats, music, and entertainment.

The theme this year is ‘The Year That Was’.

"We are thrilled to extend the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations into a full weekend event,” said Megan Durkan, chairperson.

“This festival showcases the very best of Swinford – our heritage, our music, and our strong sense of community. We invite everyone to join us for what promises to be a memorable celebration.”