Update 13th March 2020: Because of the outbreak of the Coronavirus and and the measures taken to contain it many of the events listed here have been cancelled or postponed. As of now all GAA games and other sporting fixtures are cancelled until the end of March 2020 at least.
All St. Patrick’s Day Parades are cancelled.
Anyone thinking of visiting Galway for an event would be advised to check first whether it is going ahead.
Nobody knows at this stage how long restrictions will be in place or whether they will have to be extended.
As this is an evolving situation intending visitors should keep up to date with the very latest information.
Stay Safe: Travel plans should only be a secondary consideration. Your own safety and that of others should be the most important consideration. Our only advice in these matters is:
1. Get your information on how to protect yourself from authoritative sources, for example The HSE Website.
2. Do not rely on Social Media posts. Many of the posts doing the rounds on Facebook, Whatsapp etc. are spreading dangerous misinformation or rumours which have no basis in fact.
3. For best advice on travelling abroad the most up to date advice is to be found on the Department of Foreign Affairs Website.
_____________________________________
St. Patricks Day is always a big occasion in Galway. It is a public Holiday and schools are off so it is an opportunity for a great day out for people of all ages.
Ireland’s patron saint is celebrated in numerous ways whether it is churchgoing or parading or parading or eating and drinking.
St. Patricks Day in Galway 2020 will be another big day of celebration attracting thousands of visitors from home and abroad.
In 2020 the Galway is the European European Capital of Culture so it is inevitable that our European connection will feature largely in this year’s St. Patricks Day Parade.
In 2019, Galway 2020 was already represented where the theme of the parade was a celebration of diversity and multiculturalism.
Although Galway is brimming with traditional Irish language, music and culture, it is recognised as being one of Ireland’s most multicultural cities with people of many nationalities and ethnicities living there and also visiting as tourists.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Galway in 2020
The parade starts at 11.30am and continues on through the city for well over an hour.
Many of Galway’s numerous community, cultural and sporting organizations will be represented. These include Galway Arts Centre, The Colours Street Theatre, An Taibhdhearc and Galway Theatre Festival group. Local GAA clubs and other sporting organisations as well as international organisations like Amnesty International and The Russian Culture Club will feature prominently.
Galway’s iconic theatre group Macnas with their Young Ensemble section will, as usual provide much of the spectacle and colour for which they are famous. They will feature the giant Macnas owl accompanied by the young Macnas drummers.
At the end of the parade, there will be lots of entertainment at Eyre Square including live music, a carousel and children’s amusements.
Smaller but colourful parades will be held in almost every town and village in County Galway.
Other Events During St. Patricks Festival
15th March at Róisin Dubh: Jonh Conneely Inc. (10 piece band Jazz, Blues and more)
16th – 17th March at Róisin Dubh: Galway Street Club (international group of buskers)
17th March at The Galmont Hotel: The Whistling Donkeys (six-piece Irish Folk/Rock band from Tyrone)
10th – 15th March at Town Hall Theatre: 9 to 5 (Musical Comedy)
18th March at The Town Hall Theatre: The Mai (Theatre with Marina Carr)
Throughout the festival there will be ongoing music sessions and other entertainment at most of the pubs and venues throughout Galway City.
If you are visiting for St. Patricks Day in Galway 2020 there is no shortage of entertainment.