Photos by Liam Murphy
Kilkenny came alive over the bank holiday weekend as the St. Patrick’s Festival Kilkenny 2025 took over the City.
Over 40,000 people took their vantage points along the medieval streets of Kilkenny to observe a vibrant procession of colour and local legends.
A new Parade route was introduced this year to account for the festival’s growing popularity; the extended route weaved through John’s Street, Bateman Quay, High Street, and The Parade, concluding on Castle Road.
Beo, Bí Linn – Be alive, be with us
The St. Patrick’s Festival Kilkenny 2025 saw 60 floats and over 1,500 participants from local groups, schools, and community organisations, with record-breaking crowds gathering in Kilkenny City to mark the occasion.
The crowds enjoyed stilt walkers, Latvian dancers, hula hoopers, jugglers, an alien invasion, cat pageantry, Buí Bolg Giant Snake, booming brass bands, Irish folklore, and more. Local organisations embraced this year’s theme, Bí Beo, Bí Linn – ‘Be Alive, Be With Us’ – to capture the spirit of Kilkenny and showcase its unique culture and character.
Rás na mBan winner and Irish national team cyclist Mia Griffin was Grand Marshal. The festival also introduced a Junior Grand Marshal. Enya Cox Dempsey, aged 14, from Castlecomer, the winner of Junior Eurovision Éire 2024.
Sister festivals over the March bank holiday weekend brought in over 100,000 visitors to the Marble City.
Director of Product Development, Fáilte Ireland, Orla Carroll, said,
“Fáilte Ireland is pleased to support St. Patrick’s Festival Kilkenny again this year, and we look forward to welcoming visitors from all over the world to celebrate our national holiday. Kilkenny’s rich heritage, vibrant cultural scene, and outstanding festival programming make it a key destination for visitors seeking an authentic and unforgettable Irish experience.”
Kilkenny’s St. Patrick’s Festival saw two days of free performances on the Festival Stage, with the live music drawing large crowds on Sunday and Monday. Among the standout moments of the weekend was the arrival of five American Marching Bands making their way through the City, the annual Festival Fireworks Display, and a re-enactment of the Trial of Dame Alice Kyteler, 700 years after the fateful event in 1324.
Festival Chairperson and Mayor of Kilkenny Municipal District, Cllr. Andrew McGuinness commented, “Kilkenny’s St. Patrick’s Festival is a celebration of everything that makes our City special, our people, our heritage, and our sense of community. Seeing over 40,000 people come together to enjoy the Parade and approximately 100,000 visitors arriving for the weekend is a testament to the magic of Kilkenny. We’re proud to welcome people from all over Ireland and beyond to experience our festival and City.”
St. Patrick’s Festival Kilkenny 2025 was brought by Kilkenny County Council with support from Failte Ireland. The event was selected among six exceptional events to showcase unique aspects of Irish heritage and culture and to spotlight Kilkenny with overseas visitors.
