'Gobsmacked’: Patrick Kielty named Grand Marshal for this year’s St Patrick’s Day Parade

The Co. Down native and Late Late Show host will lead festivities with this year’s theme ‘Spréach,’ meaning Spark

Thu, 22 Feb, 2024 - 12:25

Amanda Cassidy

More laughter, more pageants, more joy. That’s the mission of this year’s National St Patrick’s Day Parade which promises to be the most ambitious ever.

Out front and centre this March 17th will be stand-up comedian and TV personality Patrick Kielty who has been chosen as the parade’s Grand Marshal.

“I couldn’t be more excited,” admitted the broadcaster, whose wife Cat Deeley was recently announced as the new host of This Morning’s popular UK breakfast show.

“I can’t thank the festival enough for asking me to be part of our biggest day.

It’s such an honour to be asked and I was genuinely gobsmacked when the call came in. when you’re lucky enough to be called Patrick, St Patrick’s Day always feels like an extra birthday and I can’t wait to get the world’s biggest party started on March 17th”.

Making the announcement today, Patrick was joined by Disha Bhat (Dublin, 15), Advita Jain (Dublin, 9), Diana Viveros, Silvia Bernal and Claudia Grandez all from the St. Patrick’s Festival Community Arts Pageant; Bella Walsh (Dublin, 12) and Hollie Hopkins (Dublin, 12) from Arkins Dance and Stage Academy as part of the North East Inner City Community Pageant; Photograph: Leah Farrell / © RollingNews.ie

This year, entertainment and storytelling are at the heart of the parade which is expected to attract half a million spectators along the route. The parade will feature 18 pageants and performance showpieces, 14 marching bands from across Ireland, North America and France and over four thousand participants in what is shaping up to be the largest ever National St Patrick's Day parade.

The theme is ‘Spréach’, the Irish word for spark.

The idea is that it represents the unique essence of Ireland and Irish people – from the glint of craic, the light of innovation so present throughout our history, the fire in our bellies evident in our sporting history and even the flame of creativity celebrated throughout the world of our writers, poets, arts and actors.

Lord Mayor of Dublin, Daithí de Róiste says it’s this Spréach that unites the people of Ireland with the rest of the world.

“As my first St Patrick’s Festival as Lord Mayor of Dublin, I’m so looking forward to watching the mang pageants and marching bands that make up this spectacular event,” he says. “It’s also Patrick Kielty’s first year in his role as host of the iconic Late Late Show and I’m so delighted to see him selected as our Grand Marshal.”

Festival Programme

Back for Festival 2024 is the hugely popular St. Patrick’s Festival Quarter at the National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts and History, Collins Barracks which will be home to a magical day-to-night Festival for all, kicking off on Saturday March 16th from 12pm, and all day and night on St. Patrick’s Day from 12pm - 10:30pm.

The grounds of one of Ireland’s most spectacular and historic heritage sites in the heart of Dublin will feature An Halla Mór (Main Stage), Rí Rá Stage (Bandstand), Tigín (Snug), Ruaille Buaille Tent, Bia Mall - a new artisan food space, Súgradh games area and the Timpeall programme of walkabout entertainment.

Saturday night at Festival Quarter sees the return of Cultúr Club with Mother, a very special night of live music, queer performance and art in celebration of Irish LGBTQ+ club culture and the transformative power of the dancefloor in one of Ireland’s most iconic spaces.

St. Patrick’s Day at Festival Quarter promises a huge celebration of Irish culture throughout the day and night from noon until 10:30pm, and all completely FREE.

Come along to the centre of the world for St Patrick’s Day celebrations with Irish traditional music in every corner, Céilí dancing for all, collaborations and mash-ups galore. St Patrick’s Festival at Collins Barracks carries the buzz of the Parade all day long.

As part of a curated programme of events in collaboration with cultural partners around the city, there will be a diverse offering of St. Patrick’s Festival supported live events throughout Dublin over the period of the Festival.

Working with internationally renowned Arts organisations including THISISPOPBABY, the Abbey Theatre and CoisCéim Dance Theatre and featuring walking tours and an after dark programme, the One City Programme is dedicated to showcasing some of the best Irish Arts and Cultural experiences that the country has to offer.