St. Patrick’s Day in Sligo 2023

There is a lot happening in Sligo this year for St. Patrick’s Day so I’ve decided to do a blog post to tell you about some of the highlights. Firstly a mention for Fit Fun Adventures who have the Leitrim, Sligo and Roscommon parades listed.

March 16th

Sligo Spanish Society are hosting a salsa social:

Sligo St. Patrick’s Day Festival has lots of events taking place in Sligo town including:

March 16th

6-9pm – Trad Trail begins around town

March 17th

11am O’Connell St – Sligo Concert Band

11am Court House – Sligo Academy of Music Performance

11.30am – Trad Hubs at Wine St and Market Cross before Parade

12pm – Parade Starts at Mail Coach Road through town and finishes at Pearse Rd. If you can’t make it to the parade you view it on the website at www.sligostpatricksday.com or the YouTube link (which may be easier to stream to a TV) is https://www.youtube.com/@sligostpatricksfestival5350 It can be watched live or played back anytime after the event.

The town parade route is above, there are 3 Wheelchair Access Viewing Areas. For anyone sensitive to sound, there is a quiet area at Fish Quay (bottom of Taxi rank leading to behind The Glasshouse).

2-4pm – O’Connell St – Kids Disco & Live Music

2-3pm – Trad Hubs at Wine St and Market Cross after Parade

3-9pm – Trad Trail continues at venues around town

March 18th

2. 30pm approx. – Canada’s oldest and largest youth marching band, Burlington Teen Tour Band march through town from Pearse Road to City Hall

The Parades – March 17th

12pm – The Sligo Town Parade Starts at Mail Coach Road through town and finishes at Pearse Road

1.00pm – Enniscrone

2pm – Grange

3.00pm – Easkey

3.30pm – Ballymote

4.00pm – Dromore West

4.15m – Gurteen

4.30pm – Aclare – Kilmactigue Community Centre, floats assemble from 3.30 pm. The parade will commence at 4.30 pm

Other events March 17th

8am – Take a different start to this St. Patrick’s Day with Northwest Adventure Tours early morning hike of the famous table topped Benbulben followed by an optional return to the Riverside Hotel Sligo for a complimentary Irish Coffee perfectly timed to catch Sligo towns St Patrick’s day celebrations. Prebooking essential.

FREE face painting event at Baker Boys, Sligo 9.30-11.30am

Tubbercurry’s 50th St. Patrick’s Day Road Race takes place at 12 noon on March 17th. Register here: https://www.njuko.net/tubber23/select_competition

1pm Drumcliffe/Rosses Point GAA/LGFA Club are holding their annual St Patrick’s Day Hot Pot event in Harry’s Gastro Pub, Rosses Point. An ideal way to feed the family after the parade festivities. All are welcome. Summerhill’s All-Ireland final will also be shown on the TV screens.

4.30pm The Innisfree Bar in Ballintogher have a Trad session with Ryan Sheridan and Conor Mc Donagh at 4:30pm all musicians welcome. Followed by by The Hennessy Man 7pm. They will also be serving their famous Irish Stew.

6.00pm – 8.30pm Ballymote Social Dancing in the Loftus Hall, Admission FREE. Partners not required, refreshments served.

7pm – Explore the dark side of Sligo with Sligo Dark Tales Walking Tour. Pre-booking essential. Various days available https://www.facebook.com/events/930960868050201/930960984716856/

The Markets – March 18th

There are four markets on in Sligo and some of them might have St. Patrick’s themed goodies and Achonry usually has some entertainment too:
9am – 1pm The Sligo Farmers Market at the ATU Sligo

10am – 1pm Achonry Farmers Market, N17 Achonry, Sligo. Website here: https://www.achonryfarmersmarket.ie/

10am – 12.30pm Beltra Country Market on the N59 Beltra, Sligo

10am – 3pm Rathcormac Artisan Food and Craft Market, on the N15 Rathcormac, Sligo