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There’s only one place to be this St Patrick’s weekend and that’s Bray!

Head to Bray this spring as the town comes alive to celebrate this year’s annual St. Patrick’s Festival which runs from Thursday, March 14th until Monday, March 18th, 2019.

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.

President of the Bray & District Chamber of Commerce, Pat Ó Súilleabháinsaid ‘There’s only one place to be this St Patrick’s weekend and that’s Bray. This year’s festival will be focusing on great family fun with a strong emphasis on celebrating the towns multicultural community so why not head to Bray for some incredible experiences you can’t get anywhere else’.

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.

We are expecting thousands to line the town’s streets for the St. Patrick’s Day parade on Sunday, March 17th at 3 pm. Visitors are in for a treat from the sights and sounds of the marching bands and majorettes to local groups, clubs and much more.

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

This year there are over 20 events. Here are the highlights:

  • 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.
  • The festival’s main event the Bray Parade will kick off at 3 pm on Sunday, March 17thfrom the Town Hall to the viewing stand at the northern part of the Seafront.
  • 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 at www.bray.ie.
  • 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.

Mick Glynn, St. Patrick’s Festival Chairman said ‘A large festival like this wouldn’t be possible without the great support, enthusiasm and expertise from our committee, service providers, volunteers, participants and the emergency services. Thank you also to our sponsors who fund all the events’.

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_ieor liking us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/braytown.