St Patrick's Day parade plans confirmed after Chamber warns changes are 'anti-family'

The Cashel Chamber of Commerce has said its concerns about proposed changes to this year’s St Patrick’s Day Parade have not been reflected in final plans, after the Parade Committee confirmed arrangements for the 2026 event.

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The Chamber issued a statement earlier warning that proposals to move the parade to a Saturday evening, remove it from its traditional setting at St Patrick’s Rock, and organise it in a way that would allow people to leave Cashel on St Patrick’s Day itself were “anti-family, anti-business, and anti-Cashel town”.

“As President of the Cashel Chamber of Commerce, it’s important to clearly outline our position on recent proposals regarding this year’s St Patrick’s Day Parade,” the statement said.

The Chamber said it had consulted with schools and local clubs before raising concerns with the Parade Committee. According to the statement, schools expressed a “clear preference for the parade to take place on St Patrick’s Day”, noting that most participating children are under the age of 10.

St Patrick’s Rock was described as providing “a safe, controlled environment for children”. The Chamber warned that a Saturday evening parade would raise safety concerns, particularly in low-light conditions.

“A Saturday evening parade raises child safety concerns, particularly in low-light conditions,” the statement said. It added that families, older residents and community groups would be less able to attend an evening event.

The Chamber also questioned the rationale behind encouraging people to leave the town on the national holiday.

“St Patrick’s Day should be about welcoming people into Cashel, not encouraging them to leave,” the statement said.

Timing was also highlighted as an issue, with the Chamber pointing to the February 6 statutory deadline for road closure applications.

“Any decision at this stage must be clear, agreed, and properly consulted on, not rushed,” the statement said.

In summarising its position, the Chamber said the parade should remain on St Patrick’s Day and continue to be “family-friendly, safe for children, town-centred, and rooted in Cashel’s history, community, and identity”.

While confirming that its concerns were raised directly with members of the Parade Committee, including the chair, the Chamber said they “have not been reflected in the current proposal”.

“Cashel deserves decisions made with the community, not for it,” the statement concluded.

Despite those objections, the Cashel St Patrick’s Day Parade Committee issued a press release today, January 30, confirming details of the 2026 parade.

The committee said it had been preparing for the event as a voluntary, community-led group and noted that it operates an open-door policy, welcoming new members and stewards.

It said it was disappointed by what it described as premature commentary from the Chamber but expressed a desire to move forward together as a community.

Following meetings and engagement with groups and organisations regarding the date and timing of the parade, the committee confirmed that the 2026 parade will take place on Saturday, March 14.

Festivities will begin at 2pm with local performers, while music and entertainment will take place throughout the afternoon on the Plaza in Cashel. The parade itself will commence at 4.30pm.

Based on feedback from marching groups and other stakeholders, the parade route will change for 2026. It will begin on the Cahir Road at Dura Beds, proceed along the Cahir Road, Boherclough, Lowergate and Main Street, and finish at the Friar Street roundabout.

The committee said holding the parade on a Saturday would allow bands, floats and organisations from surrounding towns to take part. Further details will be announced in due course.

The theme for the 2026 parade is “RADIO-ACTIVE”, marking 100 years of public broadcasting in Ireland. A call for volunteers will be issued shortly.

The committee also confirmed that the 2026 parade will be dedicated to the memory of Wally Ryan, the long-serving parade treasurer who died on January 28, 2026.

A new perpetual award, The Wally Ryan Perpetual Trophy, will be introduced and awarded annually to the overall first-place winner.

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