An Garda Síochána continues to plan and prepare for events for St Patricks Day Festival 2026 in Dublin and across the country. The National St Patrick’s Festival Parade takes place in Dublin, tomorrow Tuesday 17th March 2026. While public events are due to be held across the country, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade through Dublin City Centre is expected to draw large crowds into the capital. An Garda Síochána will have an extensive policing plan in place across Dublin City Centre for St Patricks Day, 17th March 2026 in anticipation of thousands of people visiting the city to enjoy the St. Patrick’s Day festivities. Over 1000 members of An Garda Síochána will be on duty in the Dublin Region over the course of the 17th March 2026 to ensure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable time. Policing plans will include Frontline Uniform Gardaí, supported by Plain Clothes Personnel, Public Order Units, Armed Support Units and other specialist services such as Dog Units, and Mounted Units. The Policing Plan for the National Parade in Dublin will be overseen and managed from an Operational Control Room based at the Dublin Regional Communications Centre. The parade will commence at 12 midday on Tuesday 17th March 2026, at Parnell Square North, in the north of the city, travelling down O’Connell Street, over O’Connell Bridge, and through the south side of the city, finishing at the Cuffe Street / Kevin Street junction. The parade will assemble beforehand at Western Way, Dublin 7 and disperse afterwards at St Stephen's Green West, Dublin 2. Large crowds are expected across the city. Gardaí and parade stewards will be on duty across the city centre to help and advise, supported by key stakeholders in Local Authorities and Public Transport Providers. In conjunction with stakeholders in the Licensing trade there will be a voluntary restriction on off-licence sale of alcohol in the city centre until after 4pm. An Garda Síochána 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, and where possible ensure that they have contact details of a responsible adult • Pack sensibly and mind personal belongings • Follow the instructions of Gardaí and Stewards • After the parade passes your chosen viewing location, take your time as the crowd disperses and get home safely. To allow for the parade, Gardaí will have a number of rolling road closures and traffic restrictions in place across the city centre from early morning on Tuesday 17th March 2026. All motorists planning on making their way into or through the city are to be aware that parking will not be permitted along the parade route, and any vehicles will be towed. In general, All traffic will be diverted through the North and South Circular Roads for the duration of the St Patrick's Day parade. Local access and egress to streets affected by closures will be facilitated. No vehicles can enter the parade route while closures are in place. Following the parade An Garda Síochána will continue to have a high visibility policing operation across the city, not just in Dublin City Centre. Gardaí are advising motorists and those that must commute by car into or through the city over the weekend and on Tuesday in particular: • Plan your journey in advance • Please follow all road signage • If legally parking - park and lock your car in secure place. Do not block access which may make it difficult for emergency services or residents. If you are socialising this St. Patrick’s Day weekend please follow and share our guidance amongst your group: • Plan the night out - tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back • Be careful of your personal belongings especially when in crowded areas or busy premises • Do not under any circumstance drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs • 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 • If you have had drinks on a night-out, please be mindful of driving the morning after. Do not drive until you have fully rested and hydrated. Speaking ahead of the St. Patrick’s Bank Holiday Weekend in Dublin, Acting Assistant Commissioner Dublin Metropolitan Region, Jonathan Roberts said, "The St Patrick’s Bank Holiday weekend is our national celebration of being Irish and we welcome the thousands of visitors from Ireland and abroad to Dublin for the National St. Patrick’s Day Festival parade on Tuesday 17th March 2026. "This is a family friendly event, and families, parents, children and visitors to Ireland and Dublin City are encouraged to come out and enjoy the spectacle and fun. "An Garda Síochána will have a significant policing plan in place, aiming to keep people safe. "An Garda Síochána has worked very closely with the St. Patrick’s Festival organisers in the lead up to this year’s event. "I want to acknowledge and thank our partners in the licensing sector, who again voluntarily will be supporting the family friendly nature of the St. Patrick’s Day Festival Parade and restricting off-licence sale of alcohol in the city centre until after 4pm. "I would appeal to every person using our roads tomorrow, St Patricks Day, to do so carefully and respectfully for other road users. Slow Down, never drive under the influence of an intoxicant, put your mobile phone and other distractions away and always wear a seatbelt. "Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona daoibh.” Garda Participation in the National Festival Parade: This year is the 20th Anniversary of the Garda Reserves and in honour of this, 30 Garda Reserves, members drawn from each Garda Region, will take part in this year’s St. Patrick’s Day parade. Other representatives of An Garda Síochána in the parade will include the Garda Band; the Ceremonial Unit; Garda Dog Unit; Mount Unit, and Student Gardaí. | 