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Your Complete Guide to St. Patrick’s Day 2025 in Laois

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St. Patrick’s Day is almost here, and Laois is set to celebrate in style with parades, community events, live music, and plenty of festive cheer. From the streets of Portlaoise to the charming village parades in Clonaslee and Rathdowney, there’s something special happening all across the county. Whether you’re looking for the big town parade, a local village celebration, or the perfect spot to enjoy the festivities afterward, you’re welcome to discover Laois!

Here’s everything you need to know about St. Patrick’s Day 2025 in Laois, including parade times, event highlights, and top venues to visit.

 

St. Patrick’s Day Parades Across Laois

Rathdowney St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Location: Rathdowney Town Centre
Date & Time: March 16th (Sunday) | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Rathdowney gets the celebrations started early with a Sunday parade on March 16th!
What’s Happening:

  • Perpetual Trophy for Best Dressed Window Display
  • Local performers & marching groups
  • Family Festival in The Square (11:00 AM – 2:00 PM)
    A great event for families looking to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day a little earlier!

The Heath St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Location: The Heath GAA Grounds
Date & Time: March 17th | Starts at 8:45 AM
Kicking off St. Patrick’s Day bright and early, The Heath GAA Club is hosting its first-ever parade, making this an exciting addition to the celebrations in Laois! The parade begins at the GAA club and will proceed to the church for 9:30 AM Mass, followed by refreshments in the parish hall. A great way to start the day with community spirit and tradition.

The fun doesn’t stop after, why not check out Tracey’s Bar and Restaurant with family and friends for a great lunch.  

Portlaoise St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Location: Portlaoise Town Centre
Date & Time: March 17th | Starts at 12:30 PM
As the largest parade in Laois, Portlaoise’s event is always a spectacular celebration. Expect colourful floats, marching bands, sports clubs, schools, and community groups filling the streets with Irish pride and festive energy. Don’t miss:

  • Pre-Parade Festivities:
    • Portlaoise AC’s Streets of Portlaoise 5K Run – 11:00 AM
    • Mini-parade by Portlaoise Panthers Basketball Club – 11:45 AM
  • Live Entertainment & Family Fun:
    • Bouncy castles, carnival rides, and market stalls
    • Live music on the Main Street bandstand
    • Entertainment for the crowds
      Portlaoise is the place to be for a full day of St. Patrick’s Day fun!

Portarlington St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Location: Portarlington Town Centre
Date & Time: March 17th | Starts at 3:00 PM
A huge community celebration, Portarlington’s parade features vibrant floats, music, and performances from local schools, clubs, and businesses. The streets will be packed with families and friends enjoying the festive spirit.
Expect:

  • Live Irish music & dance
  • Creative floats & club performances
  • Plenty of green, white, and gold!

Mountmellick St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Location: Mountmellick Town Centre
Date & Time: March 17th | Starts at 2:00 PM
Mountmellick’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade always delivers a great show, featuring community groups, traditional Irish music, and a warm, friendly atmosphere. It’s a fantastic family event with plenty of entertainment and fun for all ages.

Clonaslee St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Location: Clonaslee Village
Date & Time: March 17th | Starts at 12:00 PM
A small but lively celebration, Clonaslee’s parade will feature traditional music, floats, and entertainment, creating a fantastic community atmosphere. Prizes will be awarded for the best participants, so expect some fantastic costumes and creative floats!
Highlights:

  • Best Float Competition
  • Best Dressed Dog Award
  • Trophies for Most Entertaining Entry & Best Club Representation

Rosenallis St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Location: Rosenallis Village
Date & Time: March 17th | Starts at 3:30 PM
Rosenallis is bringing the community together for its annual parade, which will feature local businesses, schools, and clubs marching proudly.
Enjoy:

  • Traditional Irish music
  • Plaques presented for vintage vehicle participants
  • Free tea, coffee, and cake after the parade at the Community Centre

Spink St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Location: Spink Church Car Park 
Date & Time: March 17th | 9:30 am Mass, followed by a parade through the village.
Spink’s community comes alive with its annual parade, a festive march from church to hall, showcasing local spirit and unity.

Timahoe Parades 

Location: Community Centre
Date & Time: March 17th | Starts at 10:00 am 

Timahoe’s community celebrates with its annual parade, a vibrant procession through the village, highlighting local pride and togetherness.

 

Where to Celebrate After the Parades

Once the parades wrap up, there are plenty of fantastic venues across Laois where you can continue the celebrations with live music, delicious drinks, and a lively atmosphere.

Portlaoise

  • Nanny Kelly’s – A modern Irish pub on Main Street, perfect for starting the celebrations.
  • Kavanagh’s Bar & Venue – Known for live music, a great pint, and top-class entertainment!
  • Make & Mark – A stylish bar offering good food, craft beers, and creative cocktails.

Enjoy a relaxing stay at plenty of great hotels including the Midlands Park Hotel, Maldron Portlaoise and the Killeshin.

Abbeyleix & Durrow

  • Morrissey’s of Abbeyleix – A classic Irish pub experience in a historic setting.
  • Bob’s Bar, Durrow – A warm and welcoming spot with a great pint of Guinness and live music.

Why not enjoy a relaxing stay at Abbeyleix Manor Hotel.

Wherever you go, expect great craic, festive tunes, and a brilliant St. Patrick’s Day atmosphere!

Photo Credit: Alf Harvey

Portarlington 

  • Solas Eco Garden Centre – Solas have plenty of events for all ages including St. Patrick’s Day Craft Workshop, Face painting, Live Traditional Irish Music, Irish Dancing Performance, Spin City Fun Fair. All these events paired with great food for all the family. 
  • The Anvil Inn – In the heart of portarlington main street you can find the buzzing atmosphere of the Anvil Inn. A perfect place for drinks and live music with their recently opened outdoor heated beer garden and music venue named “The Forge”

Mountmellick 

  • Turleys – Don’t miss out on this amazing pub for St.Patrick’s Day. With live music and a great atmosphere Turleys is a great place to spend a Paddys day afternoon after all the parades and events. 
  • The Coach House – Turn your St.Patrick’s day into a St.Patricks weekend and stay at The Coach House in Mountmellick. The Coach House offers a private entrance, two cozy bedrooms, a stylish seating area, and a modern bathroom with a shower and hairdryer. The fully equipped kitchen includes a fridge, dishwasher, oven, and more. Enjoy garden views from the charming terrace, plus the convenience of a washing machine and a flat-screen TV with streaming services—perfect for a relaxing getaway!

Other Events

Streets of Portlaoise 5K

Looking to start St. Patrick’s Day with a challenge? Portlaoise AC’s St. Patrick’s Day 5K road race is back! The course is a fast, relatively flat route with a town centre finish.

Event Details:

  • Location: Portlaoise Town, Laois
  • Race Type: 5K Run
  • Date: March 17th, 2025
  • Time: 11:00 AM

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Laois!

With parades, live entertainment, family events, and vibrant venues, Laois is the perfect place to celebrate Ireland’s biggest day of the year. Get out, enjoy the festivities, and have an amazing St. Patrick’s Day!