The programme for the 2024 St Patrick’s Festival, which runs from March 15 – 18, has been announced, with acts including Denise Chaila + Friends, Mother DJs and Saoirse due to perform.
The theme of this year’s global celebration of Irish arts, culture and heritage is spréach or spark, which represents the unique essence of Ireland and its Irish people.
This year’s St Patrick’s Day Parade promises to the “the most ambitious ever”, featuring more pageants and more participants.
With half a million spectators expected to line this year’s route, the parade will feature 18 pageants and performance showpieces, 14 marching bands from across Ireland, North America and France and over 4,000 participants.
A new pageant has been commissioned featuring a collaboration between the St Patrick’s Festival Community Arts programme and the North-East Inner-City Partnership (NEIC).
It will honour and celebrate the festival’s connection to Dublin’s inner city, with its residents taking centre stage on the streets of the capital.
Back for Festival 2024 is the St Patrick’s Festival Quarter at the National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts and History, Collins Barracks which will be home to a day-to-night festival for all ages, from 16 – 17 March.
Craic, ceol, dancing, conversation, workshops, games, food, and all kinds of entertainment for everybody is the order of the day and all daytime events are free.
Saturday night at Festival Quarter sees the return of Cultúr Club with Mother, a special night of live music, queer performance and art in celebration of Irish LGBTQ+ club culture and the transformative power of the dancefloor.
Acts performing on the main stage include Saoirse and Elaine Mai joined by MayKay, as well as sets by DJs Ruth Kavanagh, Ghostboy, Rocky T Delgado, Kelly-Anne Byrne and Puzzy Wrangler.
Mother ‘Géilí Mór’ – Ireland’s largest Queer céilí – returns with PJ Kirby, with help from RiverDrag and a live queer céilí band.
Another highlight is the Céilí Mór on the Main Stage with Dearbhla Lennon which will see acts including Faró, Louise Mulcahy and Ispíní na hÉireann perform, before finishing up with a set by Denise Chaila and friends.
The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Daithí de Róiste said of the programme: “Every year, St Patrick’s Festival is a wonderful celebration of our Irish culture. I’m especially looking forward to being a part of the Parade and seeing the eye-catching Lord Mayor’s Coach on our city’s streets once again.
“I’ll also be planning a visit to the Festival Quarter at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks which sees a packed programme of events for all ages. I congratulate the St Patrick’s Festival Board and team for once again creating such a fantastic celebration of so much inspiring Irish talent.”
Richard Tierney, CEO, St Patrick’s Festival commented: “Every year it takes a phenomenal amount of work from artists, arts workers, makers, creators, live events teams and community organisations, drawn from across the country, as well as the core Festival team to bring the magical national festival to life.
“We are thankful to all our funders, partners and sponsors who have made this year’s Festival possible and can’t wait to welcome everyone from near and far to Dublin this March.”
Catherine Martin T.D, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media said: “Across the world, people celebrate St Patrick’s Day and it is a great opportunity for Ireland to showcase its culture and creative talent as well as encouraging visitors from far and wide.
“This programme of events has something for everyone to come and enjoy while the Festival Quarter keeps the “Spréach” or spark lit for the community. This year’s celebration will have over 4,000 participants and it continues to foster a collective inclusive spirit both locally and nationally.”
The full festival programme is available at stpatricksfestival.ie and will be updated as more events are announced.
The full St Patrick’s Day parade will be broadcast nationally live on RTÉ One and around the world on RTÉ Player.
