St Patrick’s Day Parades 2026: Routes, Closures & Info – Malahide, Swords & Raheny

North Dublin Gears Up for St. Patrick’s Day Parades: A Guide to Celebrations in Malahide, Swords, and Raheny

North Dublin residents and visitors are preparing for a vibrant St. Patrick’s Day on Tuesday, March 17th, 2026, with parades planned in Malahide, Swords, and Raheny. These local celebrations offer a more intimate alternative to the larger festivities in Dublin city center, promising a day filled with community spirit and Irish pride. Organizers are anticipating significant participation and are advising motorists to plan ahead due to expected road closures and traffic diversions. The day’s events will begin in Swords at 11:00 AM, followed by parades in Malahide at 2:00 PM and Raheny, starting at 1:00 PM.

Malahide Parade: Route and Details

The Malahide St. Patrick’s Day Parade will commence at 2:00 PM. Participants will assemble at Malahide Cricket Club, a community hub established in 1861. The route will proceed over the railway bridge (R106), along Main Street, towards The Mall, and conclude on Coast Road at the Grand Hotel. Road closures will be implemented along the parade route, and motorists should anticipate delays. Further information about Malahide Cricket Club can be found on their website. Archyde.com provides a detailed overview of the parade route.

Swords Parade: Route and Logistics

Swords will kick off its St. Patrick’s Day celebrations with a parade at 11:00 AM, starting from Coláiste Choilm on Dublin Road. The parade will travel along Main Street, turning right at the Bridge Street junction, continuing along North Street, and finishing at Swords Castle Town Park. As in Malahide, road closures will be in effect, and traffic disruptions are expected. The parade promises a display of community involvement and Irish culture.

Raheny Parade: Community Participation and Traffic Management

The Raheny parade is scheduled to begin at 1:00 PM and is expected to conclude by 2:30 PM on March 17th, 2026. Organizers anticipate approximately 1,400 participants representing over 60 local sports clubs, active age groups, and community organizations. To manage the event, around 100 stewards from Raheny Shamrocks & Raheny GAA will be on hand, alongside Gardaí positioned at strategic locations along the route and on approach roads.

Traffic management will be a key focus. Approximately 300 no-parking cones will be deployed by community Gardaí starting at 8:00 PM on March 16th, 2026, along Main Street Raheny, Watermill Road, Watermill Drive, and All Saints Park/Drive. Residents along the parade route have already been informed by event committee members. Gardaí have released a map detailing road closures for the Raheny parade.

Parking and Public Transport for the Raheny Parade

Attendees are encouraged to utilize public transport. Parking will be available in St. Anne’s Park, All Saints Estate, and around Raheny Village. The taxi rank on Howth Road will be temporarily closed during the parade, but accommodations will be made for taxis in the carpark of Windsor Motors. Organizers have secured 150 barriers from Event Serve to control pedestrian and traffic flow at the start area and along the route.

Legal Framework for Parade Management

Section 21 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 will be in force, granting Gardaí the authority to regulate the movement of people and vehicles around the parade routes. This legislation provides a legal basis for managing public order and ensuring the safety of participants and spectators.

Additional Information and Preparations

The Malahide United AFC is also encouraging club players and coaches to participate in the Malahide parade. Participants are asked to meet at 1:30 PM on the cricket pitches in Malahide Castle for a 2:00 PM start. Prizes will be awarded for the best-dressed coach and players. Happeningnext.com provides details about this invitation to participate. A Facebook post from Enjoy Malahide also confirms the 2:00 PM start time and route, reiterating the parade’s path from the Cricket Club to the Beach. Enjoy Malahide’s Facebook page offers further updates.

As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, North Dublin is preparing for a day of celebration and community spirit. Residents and visitors are encouraged to check local updates and plan their travel accordingly to fully enjoy the parades and festivities.