City: There will be more than just a parade in the city on St Patrick's Day, this year the organising committee have committed to providing a whole day festival fun. The green-themed parade, which will be led by Grand Marshal Helen Caroll, will begin at MacDonagh Junction at 2pm and travel the same route as the hurler's homecoming - down John Street, over John's Bridge, up High Street, past the reviewing stand at the Tholsel before finishing in the Market Yard.
After the parade, a music festival will take place on the new Parade, complete with a 'Gig Rig' and a great line up of musicians from 4pm to 7.30pm.
There will also be plenty of activity at MacDonagh Junction throughout the day, including music by the St Patrick's Brass and Reed Band from 1.30pm and the Kilkenny and District Pipe Band after the parade. There will also be singing and dancing by Starlight Stage Productions, Dancewise and the Evelyn White Irish Dancers.

Graignamanagh: The annual Graignamanagh parade, which has become one the biggest and best parades in the region in its long history, will kick off from the Borris Road at 12noon today. From there, it will travel down Main Street, past the reviewing stand on the Square and over the bridge into Tinnahinch, Co. Carlow. There will be plenty of prizes on offer, including Best Float; Best Community Group; Best Vintage Float, Best Walking Group; Most Original Float; Best Sporting Group; Most Topical; Best Dressed Window and Best Dressed Pet.

Urlingford: The parade will reverse direction this year and will begin at the Industrial Estate on the Cork side of town and travel through town before finishing at the hurling pitch. Floats and groups are asked to assemble at 12noon for a 12.30pm start. There will also be a small prize for every child on the day as well as prizes in the three main categories of Best Commercial Float, Best Juvenile Float and Best General/Overall Float. The parade will be led by Urlingford's new Lord Mayor, who was crowned last night (Tuesday) after an extensive fundraising campaign.

Inistioge: For the first time in many years, Inistioge will today host its own St Patrick's Day Parade. More than 150 children are already confirmed to be taking part in the children's walking parade, which will start at St Columcille's NS at 2pm and travel through town before finishing at The Square, where there will be a reviewing stand and live music. Each class at St Columcille's will be represented, as well as the various clubs and sporting groups in the village.

Borris: For the first time in many years, the town of Borris, Co. Carlow will host its own St Patrick's Day Parade, beginning at 2pm. This parade was a favourite of many in years gone by and locals are delighted to see it has been resurrected. It will begin at the VEC at 2pm, so as not to clash with the parade in nearby Graignamanagh, before travelleing up through the town, turning at Texaco and coming back down. MC on the day will be Billy Canning and there will be prizes on offer for Best Float and a variety of other categories.

Bagenalstown: More than 40 floats, groups and businesses are expected to take part in the Bagenalstown parade today. Assembly of the floats is at 12.30pm on the Station Road and the parade will leave at 1pm sharp, making its way down Church Street, the Royal Oak Road and then across the Long Range. After that, it's up Regent Street, past the reviewing stand opposite the Estoria and finally over to Kilcarrig Street. The Killeshin Pipe Band will lead the whole shebang with a colour party from the RDF.
Straight after the parade, a children's show will be hosted by Nigel Tracey on the viewing stand. Also taking place is a talent show organised by the two youngest members of the committee, Dean Egan and Michael Cahill.