Issue Date: 15th March 2024
The Cork St. Patrick's Festival commences today, Thursday, 14th March and runs through to Monday, 18th March, 2024. The details of scheduled events can be found on the Garda website (www.Garda.ie) on the festival’s webpage.
The Cork St. Patrick’s Day Parade will commence from Parnell Bridge/South Mall at 1pm on Sunday, 17th March 2024. The parade will continue from there along South Mall to Grand Parade, to St. Patrick’s Street and will end on Merchant’s Quay/Parnell Place.
An Garda Síochana is advising those attending the parade to:
• Pick an area along the route to view the parade ahead of time
• Arrive early
• Plan the journey into the city in advance
• Use public transport or Park and Ride facilities where possible
• Keep children under close supervision to avoid being accidentally separated in the crowd
• Pack sensibly and mind personal belongings
• Follow the instructions of Gardaí and Stewards
To allow for the parade there will be road closures and traffic restrictions in place across the city centre from early morning on Sunday, 17th March 2024. These closures and restrictions will be managed by Gardaí on a staggered basis depending on location.
An Garda Síochána is advising motorists and those that must commute into or through the city on Sunday to:
• Plan the journey in advance
• Follow all road signage
• Adhere to the instructions of Gardaí and Stewards
• If parking, park and lock your car in secure place where it is legal to do so and which does not block access.
An Garda Síochána generally advise those heading out to socialise this St. Patrick’s weekend to:
• Plan the night out - tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back
• Carefully mind personal belongings particularly in crowded areas or premises
• Drink alcohol responsibly
• Never drive under the influence of an intoxicant (alcohol or drugs) and be mindful of driving the morning after
• Don’t let any friend or family member walk home alone - there is safety in numbers
• If you must walk home only walk in well lit, populated areas and where you can be seen by traffic.
Speaking ahead of the St. Patrick’s Bank Holiday Weekend, Chief Superintendent Thomas Myers said, "This weekend promises to be a fun and family-friendly occasion for people of all ages to enjoy the St. Patrick’s Day festivities.
"We have been working closely with Cork City Council and festival organisers to ensure that a full policing plan is in place to safely facilitate the parade and the range of planned events due to take place around the city.
"Gardaí will be out working hard throughout the weekend to make sure that everyone is safe and we ask for the public’s help in this. Please refrain from any on-street, public consumption of alcohol most especially during the day. It won’t be tolerated.
"Our Road Traffic Management Plan is aimed at causing the most minimum disruption for people while we facilitate the parade. We will as always be doing our very best in making sure that all those living in and visiting the city will have a nice Bank Holiday weekend, and our priority is that everyone safely enjoys themselves.
"Lá fhéile Pádraig sona daoibh.”
