This year’s Kilkenny City St Patrick’s Day parade will follow a new route, to facilitate the expected increased numbers coming to watch and take part. The parade will start at John’s Priory on John Street, proceed over John’s Bridge, turn right down Bateman Quay (past Dunnes Stores), take a left up High Street, continue on to the Parade (past Kilkenny Castle), and finish on the Castle Road. The review stand — and parade participant performances — will be on the Parade, outside Boyd’s Auctioneers, across from the castle. The new route allows for more space for spectators to view the Parade and avoids the city’s narrowest street (Rose Inn Street). Organisers are encouraging spectators to spread throughout the city streets by adding live broadcasts and entertainment at different stages along the route. Local radio stations Community Radio Kilkenny City 88.7fm and KCLR 96fm will both be broadcasting live on the day, providing plenty of entertainment. With the new route comes some changes, and attendees should note that John’s bridge and the Lady Desart footbridge will be throughways only, and it will not be possible to stand and view the Parade from there. This will also be the case on some of the narrower corners throughout the route. Organisers are asking that spectators stay in their parade position for the duration of the procession to allow everyone to enjoy the experience fully. For those with additional needs there will be a Relaxed-Parade Viewing Area, for neurodiverse spectators on Bateman Quay and a Wheelchair Accessible Viewing area at the Review Stand on The Parade. Both areas require pre-registration. For full information check out stpatricksfestivalkilkenny.com. On St Patrick’s Day, there is not just the parade, there is a wealth of pre and post-parade activities with the Festival Funfair, Festival Market, Street Entertainment, OFX Irish Legends Golf Putt and Hurling Challenge (on The Parade), Déise Medieval Viking demonstrations (Craftyard), Trial of Dame Alice Kyteler (Rothe House), live music on the Festival Stage and live performances throughout the city including St Patrick’s Brass and Reed Band, Samba Katz, The Brass Monkeys, Karbunklis dancers, The Hit Machine, and more! The day will finish with the festival finale a free performance by Kíla on the Festival Stage at 5pm. READ: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT KILKENNY TRADFEST Other areas Meanwhile, Thomastown Community Network will once again run the annual Great Wheelbarrow Parade through the street of Thomastown this St Patrick’s Day. This year's theme is ‘Wild Rivers’. Everyone is welcome to take part. All you need is a wheelbarrow and some imagination. Registration starts in the Quay Carpark at 11.15am on Monday, March 17 with the parade starting at noon. Parade events will also take place in Urlingford, Goresbridge and Graignamanagh.