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Enniskillen The Island Town

St Patricks Day 2023 is fast approaching with the theme this year ‘back to the future’. This is said to be the biggest year in Enniskillen yet, with the parade set to return and special guests making an appearance.

St Patricks Day Parade 2023

The craic starts at the Broadmeadow with a free family fun day and a host of live entertainment acts starting at 1.30pm, presented by the hugely popular DJ Bob. 

Enjoy a range of free activities from soccer skills to water-based taster sessions, balloon modelling to bouncy castles, mingle with dinosaurs and Disney heroes and get snapped with some of the silver screen’s most famous vehicles. We’ve got face-painting & glitter tattoos and free tasty treats with chocolate fountains sponsored by GT Exhausts and candy floss courtesy of Balcas.

We’re delighted that our wakeboarding leprechauns are back, and we’ve expanded our water activities – making celebrating St Patrick’s Day in Ireland’s Only Island Town, a truly unique experience.

For those wishing to grab prime pole position there will be lots of fun, pre parade on the Diamond in Enniskillen town centre with a live performance from the Hand Me Downs at 2.15pm as well as traditional dancers and walkabout characters to keep you entertained. And those who would prefer a less boisterous viewing platform; Fr Raymond Donnelly is providing again this year, a ‘Quiet Space’ at St Michael’s Parish Centre – booking essential. You can always take time out too, to view the entries to our children’s art competition in the Legion while enjoying traditional music and dancing performances.

However, before heading back to the future at the 2023 St Patricks Day parade, come with us for a look back at previous St Patricks Day celebrations in Fermanagh.

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A Look Back At The Past

St Patricks Day 2019 saw thousands of people flood the streets of Enniskillen to enjoy the vibrant celebration in the town centre.  Organised by Project St Patrick, the parade began at the Lakeland Forum with a host of traditional and modern entertainment acts, including the local band Full Moon Fever who added to the festival atmosphere. There were plenty of games, activities and fun on offer for the whole family. The town centre was filled to capacity with crowds four deep around Diamond and Hollow areas.

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The global pandemic brought a stop to the celebration planning in 2020 and 2021. However, last year Enniskillen came alive again after a 2-year break from celebrations. The St Patrick’s Day festival planned with Enniskillen BID including other local venues involved a day of celebrations for all the family. There was street entertainment including live music and Irish dancers. Unfortunately, given the short timeframe, a parade was not feasible for 2022.

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Supported by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Enniskillen BID and Local Businesses, this year’s spectacular parade will have been worth waiting for!

*There may be traffic disruptions in the immediate area so please plan your parking ahead as there will be no entrance to the Lakeland Forum except for disabled badge holders. Additional disabled parking provided behind the Townhall. We would appeal to drivers to respect the efforts of our volunteers by not parking on the parade route for safety reasons.*