Midnight parade here to stay in Leitrim town as ‘shocking’ crowd turns out

At the stroke of midnight, the main street of Kinlough was alive with people as they kicked off Ireland’s first St. Patrick’s Day parade of 2026.

Hundreds of people poured into the windswept village for what was also the first St. Patrick's Day parade in their history.

“I'm delighted. It was a huge success. I'm very proud of the people of Kinlough for turning out in such numbers, and especially at such a late hour,” Said Leitrim Cllr Justin Warnock.

“There were a lot of floats there, we weren't expecting a quarter of what turned out tonight, and I suppose the greatest thing was to go down the street and see now so many people out,” Said Warnock, who organised the parade, alongside the Kinlough town team and Kinlough community development Committee.

The parade was led up the main street by St Patrick, who made his first appearance of the year, as well as a huge contingent from Melvin Gaels GAA and the local branch of Foroige, along with floats including the NorthWest Canoe Club.

The first parade of the year is usually held in Dingle and sets off before Dawn at 5:30 am, but this year, Kinlough looks to take that crown.

“And of course, it's a great thing to be the first parade, or the earliest parade in Ireland,” said the North Leitrim Councillor.

Locals traditionally have had to make the trip to parades in Bundoran or Manorhamilton, though they might have their own to cheer on, going forward with plans already taking shape for a repeat next year.

“Rumour has it it was the first St. Patrick's Day parade in Kinlough. There's also a rumour it was the first St. Patrick's Day parade this year in Leitrim, and it was also, they say, the first St. Patrick's Day parade in Connacht, and indeed it was the first St. Patrick's Day parade in Ireland,” Said John Campbell, Chairperson of Kinlough Town Team.

“A special word of thank you to the entire community who turned out in shockingly good numbers. At one time, we thought we were only going to have about 30 people or maybe 40 people if we were lucky on the streets.”

The parade made its way from Kinlough community centre at the stroke of midnight, up through the crowded village before turning around at the Court House restaurant at the top of the street, and returning to the community centre for music and tea.

“Everybody mucked in and did their bit tonight, and nobody said nobody was reluctant,” he said, Adding: “Next year, I've been told it's going to be bigger. It's going to be brighter, and it's going to be better.”

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