FROM THE ARCHIVE - At the 2017 parade in Mullingar were (back), Ivan and Natasha Walsh with young Steven, and in front from left, Brooke, Abi and Jason Walsh, all Mullingar.

What's happening in Mullingar over St Patrick’s weekend

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Thursday March 16, Flotilla

Mullingar Town Band will open the town’s St Patrick’s weekend festival with a march from Market Square to the harbour to welcome a flotilla of boats arriving on the Royal Canal. St Patrick is expected to be on board one of the boats and will bless for festival. The Town Band will preform until 8pm, and Ray Dolan is lined up as master of ceremonies for the evening.

Friday 17 March, AON Half Marathon

The Aon Half Marathon Mullingar starts in the town centre, and the participants enjoy a scenic route out to The Downs, and back along the Royal Canal to the finish in town park. There, soup and sandwiches to refuel the body await, as well as the Mullingar Half Marathon medals. Registration is €40, and all proceeds go to the event’s partner charity, TEAM.

Friday March 17, Fleadh 5k

One of the Mullingar Fleadh 2023 committee members is organising the Fleadh 5k fundraiser, which will start directly after the Mullingar Half Marathon (at approximately 10.05am). Register at njuko.net/2023fleadh5k (€20). Registered participants will receive medals. Register online to avoid queues, but you can do so on the day, 8.30-9.30am. All proceeds go to Fleadh Cheoil Mullingar 2023. Find out more here.

Friday March 17, Parade and Children’s Entertainment

The Mullingar St Patrick’s Day Parade is at 3pm, from the Green Bridge to An Post on Austin Friar Street. The MC is Daniel Boyne. There will be children’s entertainment on Church Avenue and Castle Street, 1-4.30pm, a puppet show on the viewing stand at Dominick Street at 2pm and music in various locations.

Friday March 17, Quiet Section

A new quiet section will be set up to accommodate those who have sensory issues as the loud noises and whistles of the parade can be quite distressing. The sensory area will be at the bottom of Austin Friar Street and will be signposted as such. Volunteers stationed there will assist parade goers, and participants in the parade will be asked to take into account the needs of others to make sure the parade is a joy for all. There will be designated area in the main entertainment section for those with similar needs. Email mullingarstpatricksday@gmail.com if you have questions.

Friday March 17, road closures

Road closures will be in place on March 17 from noon to 6pm on

● Grand Parade

● Dominick Street

● Oliver Plunkett Street

● Pearse Street

● Austin Friar Street

● Castle Street

● Church Avenue

● Side streets off these areas

Saturday March 18, ‘The 80s Generation’

Ruth Illingworth conducts one of her informative and entertaining history tours at 2pm. Meet at the Market House, and the tour lasts 90 minutes. Adults €5 and U16s free; phone Ruth on 087 9472583.

‘The 80s Generation’ seven-piece band, including vocalists and a brass section, will help their audience re-live the music of the 1980s from 8pm. The performers have spent decades in the music industry and have performed at the highest levels domestically and internationally, live, in studio, on radio and TV. Whether you believe it’s True that Girls Just Wanna Have Fun or that Video did Kill The Radio Star, this is the show for you. On the eve of Mother’s Day the organisers will reward one lucky mammy with a €250 cash prize. Tickets cost €20 online and €22.50 at the door. Booking is advised.

Sunday March 19, Drive-In Cinema

The two films at the drive-in cinema at Tudenham, Lough Ennell are Song of the Sea at 5pm, and The Van (based on the Roddy Doyle book) at 7.30pm. Tickets are limited and the cost is €35 per car plus booking fee.

The organisers are asking businesses and communities to get involved in this year’s parade. “It has been many years since Mullingar held a parade and we are looking forward to creating a weekend to remember for St Patrick’s Weekend 2023,” said Ray Dolan, PRO.

The parade will be in accordance all required health and safety procedures as public safety is a priority for the committee. “We are working with An Garda Síochána and the Civil Defence to create supervised road closures to make sure the event runs smoothly for all participants and spectators.”

For more information on any of the above email mullingarstpatricksday@gmail.com.

In town for the parade, from left, Sinead Vaughan, Delvin, Jane Shanley, Killucan, Eva McCormack, Delvin and Amy Penrose, Killucan. Photo by Eilis Ryan
In great form despite the rain Erin Flynn, Adam Roche and Cian Kelly, all Mulliingar. Photo by Eilis Ryan
Enjoying the atmosphere - despite the rain - from left, Ciara May Heanue, Clonkill, Fionn Glennon, Shandonagh, Grainne Greene, Crookedwood, Clodagh Greene, Crookedwood and Jamie Cotter, Mullingar. Photo by Eilis Ryan
At back, Laura Markey, with her mother, Helen McCarthy and sister, Catherine McCarthy, with in front from left, Rián and Cian Markey. Photo by Eilis Ryan
Young Davey Nevin was thrilled to don the green and attend the parade with his mother, Kathleen Nevin. Photo by Eilis Ryan
Ignoring the blustery breeze, at back from left, young Rionn Sheehan in the arms of his dad Kevin Sheehan; Lorraine Sheehan; Avril Fitzgerald, David Lambden and in front Kayleigh Sheehan and Mia Lambden, all from Mullingar. Photo by Eilis Ryan
Among those on duty with the Civil Defence at the parade, from left, Margaret McDonald, Cassie Hanlon, Daithi Dalton, Martin McDonagh, Donal Flynn, John Hopkins, Lisa Conway and Padraic Daly. Photo by Eilis Ryan
Tony Gavin, Glascorn with Arthur Gavin on his shoulders while Tracey Cullen has Willow Gavin on her shoulders and in front is Ellie May O'Donnell. Photo by Eilis Ryan
At back from left, Rian Wallace, Tadhg Kelly, Nicola Sheil and Orlagh Reynolds-Ennis with, in front, Hayden Nolan, Oisin Kelly, Sarah Shiel, James Shiel, TJ Ennis and Cathal Sheil, all Mullingar. Photo by Eilis Ryan
At back, Ivan and Natasha Walsh with young Steven, and in front from left, Brooke, Abi and Jason Walsh, all Mullingar. Photo by Eilis Ryan
Vinny, Kate and young Jamie Reilly from Enniscoffey. Photo by Eilis Ryan
Jordan O'Leary, participating in the parade. Photo by Eilis Ryan
A spirited performance by Leon Doyle. Photo by Eilis Ryan
Joe Henson, Rahugh, promoting Mullingar Agricultural Show, which is fixed for July 9. Photo by Eilis Ryan
At back from left, Alessandra Del Duca and Siimone Toselli, with in front, from left, Roberto Toselli, Matteo Del Duca and Giuliano Del Duca, all from Mullingar. Photo by Eilis Ryan
At back Gerry and Conor Garvey, Mullingar with, iin front Harry Tilson, also Mullingar. Photo by Eilis Ryan
Shannon Murphy from Newtown Lawns. Photo by Eilis Ryan
At back, Anna and Daniel Geoghegan, with in front from left, Naomi and Thomas Geoghegan, all from Walshestown, and Martha Dixon, Shandonagh. Photo by Eilis Ryan
From Ballymore, John and Emma Hagan with, at back, young Alexis, and in front from left, Erin, Madison and Millie. Photo by Eilis Ryan
Charlie and Lucy Carey, Ballinea. Photo by Eilis Ryan
Students from Castlepollard Community College had a float telling the story of The Children of Lir. Photo by Eilis Ryan
Matthew Flanagan. Photo by Eilis Ryan
Members of St Loman's GAA brought along the cups won by the club in recent times. Photo by Eilis Ryan
Kim Magee, director of the MullingarTown Band. Photo by Eilis Ryan
The Poznanska family, looking forward to the start of the parade. From left, Caspar, Silvia, Peter, Bartholomew and Matiu. Photo by Eilis Ryan
Greg Duggan, Mullingar, brought his granddaughter Chloe Duggan to the parade. Photo by Eilis Ryan
Out to watch the parade, at back from left, Dano Fitzsimons, Seanie Mahon and Tristan Graham, all Mullingar, with in front, Lucas O'rien, Castletown Geoghegan. Photo by Eilis Ryan
John and Susan Naughton with their son, also John. Photo by Eilis Ryan
Irish Olympic boxer David Oliver Joyce, from Mullingar, brought his children along to see the parade. At back are Rihanna and Mickey Joe, and in front, Amber. Photo by Eilis Ryan
Tanya and Stephen Geraghty from Kinnegad with children Clodagh and Scott. Photo by Eilis Ryan
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