Drogheda St Patrick’s Day Parade 2023 to features myths and legends galore

Drogheda and the Boyne Valley are synonymous with myths and legends and even St Patrick himself set foot on our soil when he was round these parts!

So, the theme of this year’s Drogheda event is certainly apt; giant mythological creatures coming to life a parade like no other.

The Drogheda St Patrick's day parade 2023 will be a magical spectacle of Mythology and Legends as we go back thousands of years in time. Our talented local artists have been very busy making this year's parade one of the most outstanding in the country.

Droichead Arts, Drogheda Institute of Further Education, My Streets Ireland in collaboration with Love Drogheda Business Improvement District have come together to develop a more artistic, creative and immersive parade for Drogheda under the leadership of the Drogheda Festivals committee. Various community groups have learned how to make these giant instillations and puppets through our local artists.

“The funding for this was awarded through My Streets Ireland after receiving the Coca Cola “Thank you funding” for which Drogheda is very grateful,” explains chairperson Sarah Taaffe.

“We are also extremely grateful to receive further funding from Love Drogheda BIDs and the Droichead Arts centre. This has created employment for local artists and further trained many students and community groups”.

En route, look out for DIFE colleges installation, funded by the Coca Cola Community Thank You fund under My Streets. This spectacular instillation of Celtic mythology, specifically the battle between Lugh and Balor also known as the second battle of Mug Tuired, is over 15 foot high and also draws inspiration from video games like God of War, plus movie characters like Thor from Marvel. This float is not to be missed.

There is a real treat in store with the Droichead Arts offering and their Giant Salmon of Knowledge.

Droichead Arts has done an amazing job of collaborating with five different primary schools, all playing their own part towards creating this special show piece with creative dance performance bringing it to life by dance school Kidkast. Kidkast has brought plenty of fun, colour, dance and talent to the parade for many years.

Other installations, puppets and show pieces to look out for are Boann the Goddess of the Boyne, carried by The Drogheda Boxing club as a tribute to our local hero, world boxing champion Deirdre Gogarty.

The Love Drogheda Business Improvement District float is another piece of stunning artistry of a swan with its mythological ties to Bru na Boinne. Boomerang youth group will be showing casing their creation The Goddess Brigid. The Red door has its own beautiful original creation. Pride will be showcasing The Dagda. My Streets Ireland will be showcasing the Morrigan.

"We are also hearing of some very creative floats from our local Business community and various other groups" adds Sarah." This year truly will be special. The children will love it".

Sarah is reminding local businesses about the window competition. The Drogheda Chamber of Commerce will present a trophy for best dressed window. Other awards will be given for the following categories:

Best community entry... winner and runner up prize, Best commercial entry, Most creative entry and Overall winner sponsored by Coca Cola perpetual trophy.

The parade itself costs a lot to run and simply couldn't happen with the sponsorship, donations and help of local businesses, various groups and others. The Drogheda Festivals Committee would like to specially mention the following:

Love Drogheda Business Improvement District as our largest sponsor.

Coca Cola, Louth County council, Assist Electrical, 4 Star Pizza, Drogheda Credit Union, Drogheda and the Boyne tourism, D&A Blooms, Bang Bang visual, Drogheda Hire, GT Recovery, Irish cement, The Punt Bar, McHughs Bar, The Barbican, Vincent Black, Mayor Michelle Hall, Clr Declan Power, Clr Paddy Mcquillan, Clr James Byrne, Clr Kevin Callan, The Drogheda Chamber of Commerce, Alterations by Mandy.