Cavan St Patrick’s Day Parades 2024: Everything you need to know

Once again, diligent committees and local volunteers from right across the Breffni county have pulled out all the stops to ensure that high ranking reputation is lived up to.

Despite the loss of Cavan Town’s parade from this year’s line-up, there is plenty to whet the appetite for spectators of all ages this weekend.

Here is a list of some of the events happening across the county.

Arva

Fresh from their All-Ireland winning exploits in January, Arva will be arguably one of the most must see parades of 2024.

Perhaps not surprisingly, all three cups (County championship, Ulster championship and All Ireland trophies) claimed by its all conquering junior club side will be on display over the course of an action packed afternoon.

The parade itself is scheduled to get underway at 3pm with no fewer than €2,000 in prizemoney on offer for the most innovative and eye-catching floats.

One of the county’s and region’s most colourful showcases, Arva’s 2024 St Patrick’s Day parade offering promises to more than live up to that lofty billing come Sunday afternoon.

Ballyconnell

Events in Ballyconnell get off the ground at 3pm with a wide range of prizes in store. Some of those on offer include prizes across industrial, junior, community, artistic and funniest sections.

Participants are asked to meet at Smith’s Gala, Rathkeelan with organisers keen to encourage as many individuals, groups, businesses and musicians as possible.

Bailieborough

In the region of €1,000 of prizemoney awaits those win the hearts and minds of judges ahead of this weekend’s St Patrick’s Day Parade in Bailieborough.

The top €500 prize will go to the Best Comedy Float; €300 for Best Club Float and €200 for Best Commercial Float with honours also going for the Best Window display.

In an attempt to draw in as many participants as possible, float entries are being invited for vintage cars, bikes, tractors, comedy floats, sports clubs and business floats.

To add to the excitement, a marching band, comedy and fancy dress section have been added to a comprehensive itinerary. A kids tractor run is also included with all children, accompanied by an adult, being asked to assemble outside Bailieborough Library at 2pm.

Ballinagh

Ballinagh is expected to be one of the most well attended parades on Sunday with organisers once again pulling out all the stops to make this year’s occasion bigger and better than previous years.

The cancellation of Cavan town’s parade is only likely to add to that interest.

Proceedings are scheduled to start at 4:30pm, with participants being asked to come together at the Community Centre from 4pm.

In keeping with previous years, schools, clubs and locally based organisations are being invited to take part in the parade.

Ballyjamesduff

One of the fun-filled parades to be held across the county, Ballyjamesduff is once again expected to attract large volumes of spectators from near and far.

In terms of variety and excitement, Ballyjamesduff more than holds its own. This year’s start time is pencilled in for 4pm from Ballyjamesduff Mart. Entry is free with registration being accepted on the day itself.

Cootehill

It’s a 3pm start time in Cootehill. Headed by the town’s local chamber of commerce, volunteers are still being sought to held with the event’s stewarding.

Traffic restrictions will be in place from 1pm to 5pm in what promises to be an occasion for all the family to enjoy and savour.

Killeshandra

A musical feel is anticipated to dominate much of Killeshandra’s St Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday as the town gears up to host this year’s County Fleadh.

Local organisers have set their stall out to surpass the numbers in attendance over previous years by urging participants to line out as a ‘family, a nation, a group of friends or estate’.

It’s a show of inclusiveness and diversity which those behind this year’s showcase have hung their green, white and gold hat on in the hope it strikes a chord with the wider public.

RTÉ will also be in attendance to underpin those efforts in what promises to be an afternoon not to be missed with the parade kicking off from the creamery at 12:30pm.

Kilnaleck

The Ball Alley on the Ballinagh Road will be the starting point for Kilnaleck’s annual St Patrick’s Day Parade.

Entry is free ahead of final preparations which are currently being pieced together by local organisers with a wide variety of prizes also being on offer.

Mullagh

Members aligned to Mullagh Development Committee are keen to recruit additional stewarding personnel ahead of Sunday’s grand spectacle with anyone keen to lend their hand asked to contact (087) 7466606.

Mullagh’s Parade is routinely regarded as being one of the county’s most popular feast day extravaganzas and this year looks set to reach those impressive heights once more courtesy of a striking and eclectic mix of floats.

Those taking part are being asked to convene in the Community Park on the Moynalty Road while vintage cars and vehicles are likewise asked to assemble in a line from Mullagh Hall to the Community Park.

Newtowngore

Prizes for the three most attractive and unique floats will be handed out by judges in Newtowngore on Sunday as the clock winds down to its annual parade celebrations.

Start time is at 4:30pm with a prize also being on offer for the best children’s fancy dress costume.

Gorby’s Car Park, meanwhile, will host a cake stall, offering members of the public plenty of sweet and mouth-watering delicacies for sale.

That’s not all, however as there will be plenty of lively tunes to be had in Gorby’s Car Park courtesy of DJ Paul alongside that of a raffle and spot prizes.

Swanlinbar

All floats taking part in Swanlinbar’s St Patrick’s Day Parade are advised to convene at 3:30pm on the Creamery Road ahead of a 4pm start time.

Always a colourful and vibrant feel to its St Patrick’s Day celebrations, committee members from the west Cavan village’s Development Association are hoping to match and even exceed those expectations ahead of Sunday’s long awaited parade.