St Patrick's Day Parade Dublin start time, viewing points and everything you need to know

Around half a million people are expected to flock to Dublin city centre on Monday to enjoy the St Patrick's Day parade. This year's theme is 'Eachtraí’, the Irish word for 'adventures', which represents the "unique essence of Ireland and of Irish people", according to the festival organisers. There will be over 4,000 parade participants including marching bands from all across the globe in "a thunderous display of music and pageantry".

Spectators can also expect "extravagantly dressed performers, troupes of colourful, cascading dancers and a spectacular display of extravagant floats as they wind their way through the historic streets of Dublin". This year’s St. Patrick’s Festival features a special pageant celebrating 40 years of Pavee Point, created in collaboration with Pavee Point and the Roma Traveller Centre.



If you're planning on heading into the parade, here's everything you need to know: The National St Patrick's Day Parade starts at 12 noon on Monday, 17 March, 2025. The parade will run from Parnell Square in the north of the city, down O'Connell Street, over O'Connell Bridge and through the south side of the city, ending at the Cuffe St./Kevin St.

junction. The streets along the parade route are all expected to be very busy so if you're looking for a good spot to view it, arrive as early as you can. If you want to guarantee a great view, there is the option to pay for a ticket in one of the grandstands.

You can find out more information here. The festival has also organised a number of areas along the parade route that are reserved for attendees that have additional needs. You can find out more information here.

Dubliner Victoria Smurfit has been announced as the Grand Marshal for this year's St Patrick's Day festival. The actress is known for her roles in Ballykissangel, Once Upon a Time and most recently for starring as Maud O’Hara. Speaking to Dublin Live, Victoria said: "It's an enormous honour.

It's one of the highest honours. "I think the fact that I've worked for as many thousands of years as I have had has allowed me the opportunity to be able to do this. This is so important to me as a Dubliner because no matter where you go in the world, you're always a Dubliner.

"What am I looking forward to most on the day? The people, the crowds, the craic, the banter. All of that, what's not to love?" This year's festival theme is 'Eachtraí’, the Irish word for 'adventures', which represents the "unique essence of Ireland and of Irish people", according to the festival organiser. Public transport will be operating on Monday morning but diversions will be in place during the day as the parade gets underway.

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