Mullingar’s St Patrick’s Day Parade 2023 – Let’s Get Green

The streets of Mullingar are getting ready to welcome back the long awaited St Patrick’s Day parade in March 2023, with plans in place to host not just a one day Saint Patrick’s Day event but a whole weekend of celebrations, from March 16 to 18.

Following hot on the heels of the extremely successful Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2022, which returns to Mullingar in August next year, a weekend of music, culture, sport, family fun and entertainment is being planned, along with a few surprises over the course of the weekend. The theme for the Mullingar St Patrick’s Day Parade 2023 is ‘Let’s Get Green’.

Accommodation in the town is already starting to book up fast, as this is also the weekend of the Mullingar half marathon. Visitors are encouraged to book your accommodation early; take assistance from the www.mullingar.ie website.

Walking in Patrick’s footsteps

Mullingar historian and chairperson of the Mullingar Saint Patrick’s Day Committee, Ruth Illingworth states that, “Tradition says that Patrick, long before he became a saint, travelled across the midlands from Tara, to the Hill of Uisneach just outside Mullingar in 433 at the start of his missionary work in Ireland. His journey brought him along a roadway which followed the route of the modern N52 road and crossed the River Brosna where Mullingar is today. The road ran along what are now the main streets of Mullingar; Pearse Street, Oliver Plunkett Street, Dominick Street and Patrick Street. before heading southwest towards the historic Hill of Uisneach-the sacred centre of ancient Ireland.

"When the St Patrick's Day Parade takes place in March 2023, participants in the parade will be following in the footsteps of the great man himself, igniting the culture he bestowed upon us, creating a reason for celebration and involvement."

Hazel Smyth, Mayor of Mullingar and also part of the 2023 committee commented that “it’s wonderful to be bringing the St. Patrick’s Day parade back to Mullingar for 2023 as a fun celebration for everyone, and with an eco-friendly/biodiversity twist. As the music capital of Ireland and decarbonisation zone of Westmeath, I’m looking forward to us integrating all of this within the parade for 2023; as well as highlighting all the vibrant communities we are so fortunate to have here in Mullingar and beyond – reflecting our progressive Irish society today, our unique cultural traditions and appreciating our patron Saint all at the same time.”

Mullingar will see up to of 5,000 people attend the parade and are asking businesses to help in the costs of running the festival for 2023. To speak to someone about sponsorship email mullingarstpatricksday@gmail.com. The Mullingar St Patrick’s Day Committee wish to thank Westmeath County Council for their valued assistance to date. The website is www.mullingarstpatricksdayfestival.com and will have up to date information posted regularly

If you would like to become involved in the Mullingar St Patrick’s Day Parade in any way (committee, sponsorship, donations, floats, etc) please email: mullingarstpatricksday@gmail.com and follow our progress with our plans for the weekend on www.mullingarstpatricksdayfestival.com and on our Facebook page: @Mullingar St Patrick's Day Festival 2023