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Bray to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in style with another fantastic festival

Bray will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in style with another fantastic festival which will run from Thursday, March 14th until Monday, March 18th, 2019. This year’s festival will be focusing on great family fun with a strong emphasis on celebrating the towns multicultural community.

Over the St. Patrick’s long weekend you can enjoy plenty of events including a funfair, live music, an open-air céilí, puppet shows, street theatre, walks, trails and of course the main event the Festival Parade. It’s 5 days of great family fun.

On Sunday, March 17th thousands of people are expected to descend on the town for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade which kicks off at 3 pm. Along the Parade route, there are excellent vantage points for all to get a chance to admire the many performances from marching bands, majorettes, community groups, businesses, clubs to schools from all over the town and beyond as they will weave their way through the town in spectacular fashion.

Mick Glynn, St. Patrick’s Festival Chairman said ‘The festival and parade offers an excellent opportunity to celebrate our National day in style. The festival is always a colourful event which helps showcase what a fantastic community we have in Bray. We really look forward to offering the thousands of visitors to our town a warm Céad Míle Fáilte’.

Over 1,500 participants will take part in the parade which reflects the many talents and achievements of the local community. There will be different floats featuring a large multicultural element, music, dance and entertainment all celebrating the spirit of St. Patrick, which starts at the Town Hall and finishes at the reviewing stand along the Seafront.

This year’s Grand Marshal is Michael Kelleher. Michael, who recently retired, was one of the most well-known and well-loved librarians in Bray Library.

Road closures will be in place on March 17th from 2 pm until after 4 pm to facilitate the Bray Parade. Roads affected include Main Street, Quinsboro Road, Seapoint Road and Strand Road.

President of the Bray & District Chamber of Commerce, Pat Ó Súilleabháin said ‘With over 20 events taking place throughout the town, this year’s festival has something for everyone so why not soak up the party atmosphere over the 5 days here in Bray’.

The festival continues until Monday, March 18th and other event highlights include:

  • Bird’s EuroShow Funfair makes a welcome return to Bray Seafront this spring and will open from Thursday, March 14th. Top class family entertainment is guaranteed with lots of kiddie rides and family attractions.
  • On Saturday, March 16thwatch some spectacular outdoor circus performances including handstands, magic, juggling & escapology routines at the Civic Plaza at 2 pm & then at the Bandstand from 4:30 pm
  • New for 2019 is a guided talk with Brian White of the Bray Cualann Historical Society, where are you can hear the story from the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer’s beginnings on Saturday, March 16th at 3 pm.
  • Soak up the atmosphere after the St. Patrick’s Day parade and watch a live concert on the Bandstand with the Glen Ridge High School Marching Band who are visiting from New Jersey from 4 pm.
  • You can learn how to Irish dance on Monday, March 18th then afterwards join in with Julie Rose as she wows audiences young and old with her ‘Seanie ‘o & the Sugarloaf Fairy’ show!
  • The Bray Head Walk is back again this year with Bray Adventures on Monday, March 18th at 12 noon.
  • Brian White of the Bray Cualann Historical Society will conduct a walking tour of Bray Main Street on Monday, March 18th at 3 pm. The tour will trace Bray’s links with shamrock, serpents, patriotic visitors and events that occurred in Bray during St Patrick’s week. There are limited spaces for walks & talks so make sure you book early here.
  • The Bray Vintage Car Club will be showcasing some of their members beautiful classic and vintage cars on Monday, March 18th from 2 pm to 4 pm.
  • Soak up the atmosphere over the St. Patrick’s long weekend and listen to the jigs and reels in the many venues throughout the town. Check out Bray.ie’s ‘What’s On’ guide for full live music listings.
  • To finish the weekend off why not catch a concert by the Boomerang Brass Band (UK) as they pay tribute to the late Patrick Murphy in the Martello Hotel on Monday, March 18th at 2 pm.

Bray’s St. Patrick’s Festival is proudly brought to you by Bray & District Chamber of Commerce and Wicklow County Council.

More information about the festival can be found here. Keep up to date with the latest festival news by following us on Twitter https://twitter.com/bray_ie or liking us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/braytown.