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Over 13,000 people, one of the largest attendances in many years lined the streets of Newry for the 2025 St Patrick's Day Parade. A crowd stood all the way down the quays to Sugar Island and as far as Newry Town Hall, straining to get a view of the carnival as it passed by.
It mightn't have been the warmest St Patrick's Day in Newry yesterday but at least for the first time since 2022 it stayed dry for the parade. It was a delight to see the thousands of people of all ages who turned out to watch the colourful show put on annually by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.
For families it was a great fun day out with lots to see in the parade, events at McClelland Park, Buttercrane and The Quays, stalls on Hill Street, a Ceili tent and a main stage in Marcus Square and of course the local restaurants and bars were popular destinations too.
The parade was led this year by St Patrick and Vice Chairperson of Council, Cllr David Lee-Surginor. Following in their footsteps were members of the talented Carlingford Pipe Band who were warming up for their own Carlingford parade later in the afternoon.
Also keeping the tunes coming were Bessbrook Crimson Arrow Pipe Band and McDonald Memorial Pipe Band. Beat n Drum and Newry Indian Arts Club added a spectacular blaze of colour while young people from Newry Shamrocks and Kingdom Youth Club enjoyed their walk in the parade.
Dance Associate Dance School and Gallagher School of Irish Dance were proud to show off our local talent.
The LGBTQ+ Newry Women's Group and HSCNI Foster Care and emergency services also made an appearance.
Members of the IWAI Newry and Portadown branch highlighted their voluntary litter picks in Newry Canal as well as expressing their rejection of the proposed fixed bridge over Newry Ship Canal.
Once again the spectacle of the giant Irish Wolfhound was something else and the solo performers dotted through the parade added a magical carnival feel.
Following the parade Hill Street was thronged with visitors making their way down to the main stage.
Very well done to the event organisers.
Check out all our photographs at stpatricksdaynewry2025
