IT’S time to pluck the shamrock and make plans to paint the town green as Limerick City Council announced details of Limerick St Patrick’s Festival 2026, taking place across five days from Friday March 13 to Tuesday March 17.
The theme for this year’s festival is ‘Legends of Limerick’, celebrating the people, stories, and heritage.
A special highlight this year is the inclusion of a free open-air concert at Arthur’s Quay Park on Monday March 16, bridging the gap between the energetic weekend and the celebrations on St Patrick’s Day itself.
The city parade will form the centrepiece of the festival, led by grand marshal Ava Crean, Ireland’s national women’s marathon champion, who will be joined by her Back2Boston running club-mates.
Audiences can look forward to performances from the Irish National Clown Orchestra, while Fidget Feet Aerial Dance Company will return with a spectacular aerial display, joined by hundreds of local participants.
County parades are also taking place in locations including Broadford, Kilmallock, Newcastle West, Castleconnell, Hospital, Rathkeale, Adare, Mountcollins, Askeaton, Bruff, Castlemahon, Ballylanders and Abbeyfeale.
A post-parade St Patrick’s Festival block party will be hopping in Arthur’s Quay Park on St Patrick’s Day, where the Irish National Clown Orchestra and Fidget Feet Aerial Dance Company will come together for a large-scale outdoor performance.
The open air concert on March 16 will feature performances from Major Feen, The Labourers, Citrus Fresh, Hazey Haze,
and Denise Chaila.
A major highlight of the festival programme is the 54th International Band Championship, which will take place on Sunday March 15. This year, bands from the US, the UK, and Ghana will join a vibrant lineup of local and Irish acts.
Mayor of Limerick John Moran said that “the Limerick St Patrick’s Festival is an opportunity to celebrate Limerick’s people, heritage and community spirit. There is a fantastic programme of events taking place across the county for people to enjoy. The theme ‘Legends of Limerick’ reflects both our history and those who continue to shape Limerick today.”
As part of the wider programme, Seachtain na Gaeilge runs until March 17, with a wide range of Irish language and cultural events for adults and children taking place across the county.