Fermanagh’s County Town St Patrick’s Day Festival returns to Enniskillen in less than 3 weeks from Sunday
Fermanagh’s County Town St Patrick’s Day Festival returns to Enniskillen in less than 3 weeks from Sunday 16th March, and this year’s theme is Jump ‘n’ Jive in 25.
The craic casts off with the popular moonlit flotilla, coordinated by the Enniskillen Branch of Inland Waterways Association Ireland (IWAI). This year, moving from lough to land, Coa Community Association takes the baton with an illuminated Tractor & Truck Run along the traditional parade route, in aid of Stroke Warriors. To keep you entertained, we are excited to present The Porter Bellys, brought to you by Doherty FireWood & Fuels, and with lots of refreshments on offer, this is a sure way to start your St Patrick’s bank holiday weekend in style. Running times: 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Please dress warmly.
Turning to the big day, our free family fun day at the castle will play host to live entertainment acts starting at 1:30 PM on Monday 17th March. The MC maestro, DJ Bob, is back with a bang, and keeping an eye on the weather for us will be Barra Best.
Enjoy a range of live entertainment and free activities, including water-based fun such as taster sessions from Row The Erne’s magnificent Menapian Currach. Erne Water Taxi has organised three live trad sessions on board the all-electric Island Discovery; free of charge, these will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Both are playing their part in making celebrating St Patrick’s Day in Ireland’s Only Island Town a truly unique experience.
For those without sea legs, there will be opportunities to mingle with walkabouts, get snapped with some dinosaurs, or—for a more relaxed experience—be captivated by the Fermanagh Storyteller and the Kindness Postbox.
Our small Project St Patrick volunteer committee, which organises the festival in Enniskillen and is supported by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, remains hugely grateful for additional support from local businesses this year.
Mannok will be back and cutting down queue times by sponsoring even more face painters this year. The hugely popular chocolate fountains and candy floss are again supplied courtesy of Encirc; and last year’s surprise hits are back thanks to Terex, Briggs Equipment, and Balloo Hire. This year, we also have an incredible new inflatable alley, thanks to Lilley’s Centra and Fuels & Lubricants, you can reach new heights with the Cassidy Group Climbing Wall or a grab your spots on the Balcas Bouncy Bungee Trampoline.
For those wishing to secure top viewing spots, there will be lots going on pre-parade on The Diamond in Enniskillen town centre from 1:30 PM, with crowd pleasers The Hand Me Downs folkabilly taking centre stage. They will be followed by traditional dancers featuring a return joint performance, as well as surprise turns along the route by some very special guests.
A massive welcome back to Jets Cheerleading—we look forward to the team getting the crowds going as only they can, just before the main parade.
For those who would prefer a less boisterous viewing platform, Fr Raymond Donnelly is again providing a ‘Quiet Space’ at St Michael’s Parish Centre—booking essential. You can also take time to view the entries to our children’s art competition designed by artist Grainne Knox, on display all weekend at The Legion.
Supported by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Enniskillen BID, and local businesses both big and small, this year’s spectacular parade will start at 3:30 PM and will be led out by the 2025 Grand Marshals: Fermanagh Cancer Focus NI. The parade, MC’d by Barra Best, features a range of traditional and carnival-style floats, with acrobatics, live music, and opportunities to meet some new characters alongside returning favourites.
Feargal Shannon, Chairperson of Project St Patrick, added:
“Year on year, the number of participants and spectators at our St Patrick’s Day celebrations continues to grow – and so do we. To build on the success of previous years, we’ve added so much more to the parade. We can also reveal an expanded programme, with the St Patrick’s Eve Flotilla now a firm date in the diary, kicking things off and bringing the lights and action from the water onto land.
Our famous free family fun day is growing too, and thanks to donations from generous commercial supporters, there will be a little more of everything at Enniskillen Castle this year. We don’t take for granted the faith that residents and visitors alike put in us, so we work hard all year to put on the biggest cross-community party in the country. And we can promise you—even if you’re not jiving—you’ll have a ball!”
Brought to you by a small team of Project St Patrick (PSP) cross-community volunteers for the 11th year, you can keep up to date on everything via our social media and website: www.projectspatrick.com, including details of fringe events, unfolding additions, and special deals and discounts provided by our amazing tourism providers and hostelries.
Important Information:
There will be traffic disruptions in the immediate area, so please plan your parking ahead, as there will be no entrance to the castle car park except for limited disabled badge holders. Additional disabled parking is provided behind the Town Hall. Please bear with us as we settle into our new home, and we would particularly appeal to drivers to respect the efforts of our volunteers by not parking on the parade route—especially in the town centre—for the safety of participants and spectators alike.