Roscrea's 45th St. Patrick's Day Parade draws record crowds

Roscrea's 45th St. Patrick's Day Parade drew record crowds to the heart of the heritage town to enjoy an event filled with music and dancing all showcasing the enormous talent of the young people of Ireland's third oldest town.

MC for the event, John Lupton welcomed the throngs of spectators from the Review Stand on Market Square to the hour-long Parade featuring dazzling dancers, superb singers and fascinating display of machinery, motorbikes, animals and St. Patrick himself.

Thankfully the 2025 Parade was blessed with good weather, which helped attract large crowds onto the streets to watch the entertainment unfold for what has become one of Roscrea's proudest traditions - overcoming the foot and mouth crisis of 1999 by holding the annual Parade in the summer and only being interrupted for two years by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Several beautiful vehicles from the local Vintage Club took part in Roscrea's Parade

The Parade Committee would like to thank the following:

Fr. Antun, Fr. Tom Corbett, Rev. Jane Galbraith, Rev. Sean Maguire and Rev. Pam Troy for the blessing of shamrock, Paul Phelan of Phelan’s Market House for hosting the Pre Parade reception, Conor Abbot for the excellent job on sound and music; the Marshals, Sharon Rowland Supervisor of Roscrea Community Forum, and the workers on the C.E. Scheme, special thanks goes to Gearoid Doherty of Doherty Hardware, Brian Crofton, Niall Crofton for the setting up of the Review Stand, Ivan Hastings for providing the rigid, Sergeant Brendan Collins, Inspector Andrew Lyons and the Garda Siochana, all the participants of floats and Tom and Anne Ralph for the judging of the parade, The Parade Committee made up of Shane Lee, Marie Tooher, John Lupton, Steve Crofton, Arthur Crawford, Catriona Fletcher, PJ Wright and Sean Delaney. Thanks to the media for the fantastic coverage of the parade especially Darren Keegan and also to PJ Wright and Sean Hogan for the photographs.

The Theresa Larkin School of Music are always a favourite at the Roscrea Parade

Sincere thanks to the following sponsors/patrons: Tipperary County Council, Premier Credit Union, Roscrea Chamber of Commerce, Roscrea Lion’s Club and The Tower Dry Cleaners. Special thanks to Janet Moloney of Euro Giant for providing the flags for Market Square and bunting for the Review Stand – follow their Facebook page Euro Giant Roscrea and to Roscrea Comhaltas for providing the excellent music at the Review Stand.

The Thomas MacDonagh Pipe Band march in front of Roscrea Castle towards Market Square. Photos: D. Keegan

Winners of the 2025 Roscrea St. Patrick’s Day Parade

1. Best Overall Entry: Chamber of Commerce Perpetual Trophy and €200 sponsored by Roscrea Chamber:- Roscrea Hurling Club

2. Best Business Float – Lupton & Associates Perpetual Trophy: Milan Motors

3. Best local community group/sports club – joint - Roscrea Lion’s Club and Roscrea Scouts

4. Special Recognition Award - Roscrea Credit Union Perpetual Shield: Ballyskenach – Killavilla All Star Academy

5. Special Merit Award - Adrian Hewson Perpetual Cup- Corville National School.

Derek Russell of Roscrea Stands Up driving the tractor-train on Castle Street 

Winners of the Shop Window Display

1st St. Vincent de Paul Shop

2nd Patterson’s Hardware

3rd : Image Hair Salon

Pictured above and below are the students of Corville National School aboard their float in the Roscrea Parade

Pictured above is Milan Motor's Guinness car arriving on Market Square in the 45th Roscrea St. Patrick's Day Parade

Arthur Crawford of the Free Spirit MCC Motorcycle Club from Roscrea aboard his BMW motorbike

The members of Roscrea's Free Spirit Motorcycle Club who have taken part in the Roscrea St. Patrick's Day Parade since the 1980s

A Lanz 22 tractor from the 1940s era taking part in the 45th Roscrea St. Patrick's Day Parade. Photos: D. Keegan