Pictured at a recent cheque presentation from St Brigid's Credit Union Moate to the Moate parade committee were, l-r, Stuart Clifford (secretary parade committee), Lisa Keneghan (treasurer parade committee), Jackie Johnson (St Brigid's Credit Union), Anna Stewart (Credit Union), Joe Whelan, (chairperson, parade committee).

Momentum building ahead of Moate St Patrick’s Day Parade

Ronan Fagan

Published: Fri 13 Mar 2026, 4:08 PM

Community spirit is certain to be to the fore in Moate when the town's annual St Patrick's Day parade takes place on Tuesday, March 17.

Volunteers have been busy preparing Moate for the annual spectacle, the town looking resplendent in tricolour flags and bunting well in advance of the parade.

National feast day atmosphere will be the order of the day as numerous community groups and organisations unite to participate in the well supported parade which will start from Moate Business College at 1.30pm.

The sounds of the Moate Comhaltas Marching Band, Athlone Pipe Band and Clara Town Band will be heard as the parade makes its way past the viewing stand and on to its eventual conclusion at the turn for the Clara Road.

St Patrick's Day Parade chairperson Joe Whelan said 45 floats had been confirmed to date for the parade with a hope that this number could rise to 60 entries and replicate the number which graced the 2025 spectacle.

The parade will be headed by the Flynnstones - Ellie May Lowry as Fred, Cara Rossiter as Wilma, Hannah Lowry as Dinosaur, Lucy Rossiter as Pebbles and Florence Rossiter as Dino.

The chairperson also confirmed that all the school principals in the town had been invited to take their place on the viewing stand "highlighting the importance of education" in the community.

Prior to the start of this year's parade traditional music entertainment will be provided on the viewing stand by the Castle Céilí group.

A feature of this year's St Patrick's Day Parade is the introduction of a sensory area from Gahan Motors to Barty O'Connor's shop at the junction with Clara Road.

Secretary of the St Patrick's Day committee Stuart Clifford said:

"The creation of a quiet sensory area is to make the celebrations accessible and inclusive for everyone in the community."

"The sensory area provides accommodation for individuals with autism, ADHD or other sensory processing differences who may find typical parade stimuli such as loud music, sirens, or horn blowing distressing.

This allows families with mixed needs to attend together, ensuring that siblings or children who might otherwise stay at home can share in our national tradition," Stuart said.

The secretary is encouraging all members of the local community to line the town's main street to witness what has now become a major social occasion in the annual Moate fabric.

He also called on any local sporting organisation or community group who wish to participate in this year's parade to contact moateparade@gmail.com or on our Facebook Page.