The celebrations will kick off in Enniskillen on Sunday at the Broadmeadow at 1.30pm with Full Moon Fever entertaining the crowd during the annual family fun day. 

Bouncy castles, balloon modelling, face painting, and climbing walls are just a few of the planned activities with some surprises thrown in to make this year the biggest yet. The main event, the parade, starts at the Lakeland Forum at 3.30pm with a massive crowd expected to turn up as carnival companies from both Donegal and Cork will be taking part in parade beside traditional floats from local groups and businesses who have been putting the effort in to address our environmental green theme.

This year, the chosen charity of the year is Ellie’s Retreat which is based at Castle Archdale. 

Feargal Shannon, chairman of Project St Patrick said, “We’re glad that the weather is looking good which means we see a return to the water element of the fun day, there’ll be Curragh lessons, RNLI demos and wakeboarding leprechauns. 

“Also keep an eye out for St Patrick’s arrival this year, it promises to be a glamorous one! We’re just a very small group of volunteers who work hard all year round, all we ask is that you come out, wrap warm and have a great time.”

Meanwhile, the St Patrick’s Night Annual Parish Fior Ceili charity event will take place in St Mary’s Hall, Garrison on Sunday 17th March with music by Martin Duggan.

 Proceeds raised will go to Marie Curie and the mental health charity STOP. Dancing from 9.30 pm to 12.30.  Complimentary refreshments will be served.

For those hoping to take advantage of the long weekend, thousands of spectators are expected to flock to Bundoran for the annual St Patrick’s Day parade which will take place this Sunday 17th March from 3.30pm. 

The parade, with the theme “Welcome Home”, will commence at the East End and make its way up the Main Street and into the West End. A number of marching and pipe bands including the Kiladeas Pipe Band, Letterbreen Silver Band and the Moybrone Pipe Band along with local musicians will also take part in the parade.

In Sligo, the town will burst to life, jam packed with free family friends events as the parade kicks off at noon on Mail Coach Road, and finishes at Our Lady of Mercy Primary School. 

This year, the event focuses on the theme of Leprechauns, and is sure to be a good day out!