Tricolour bunting and flags rippled across the city last weekend, setting the scene for another action-filled St Patrick’s Festival Kilkenny, drawing crowds of over 100,000 to Ireland’s Medieval capital.
Run alongside its sister festival, Kilkenny Tradfest, the weekend saw over 100 free gigs in venues throughout Kilkenny, and 80 family-friendly events over Kilkenny County Council’s four-day programme of events.
A fresh spring day brought thousands of people to the city centre for this year’s St Patrick’s Parade, which brought together 12 colourful floats and more than 40 walking groups representing the diversity of local community life.
Leading the parade was Grand Marshal George Candler, accompanied by the Army Colour Party and the Ballycallan Fife and Drum Band. Under the 2026 theme ‘Together – Le Chéile’, some 1,500 participants promenaded proudly through Kilkenny’s medieval streets from MacDonagh Junction to the Parade Plaza via John Street, Bateman’s Quay and High Street.
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