St. Patrick's Day celebrations will commence in Kinsale on Sunday 16th March with the magical Maritime Parade at 7.30pm. Enjoy the stunning sight of beautifully lit boats sailing into the harbour to the wonderful sounds of two local choirs. This event, which has captivated the people of Kinsale and the wider community over the past 2 years, will culminate in a spectacular fireworks display.
On St. Patrick's Day the prize-giving for the children's art competition will take place at 2pm in the Tourist Office. Following a Céilí Mór at Emmet Place at 2pm, the Street Parade will commence at the New Road at 4pm sharp. Over 50 entries will entertain the crowds that line the streets of our beautiful town. Throughout the afternoon there will be FREE face-painting and balloons to keep children entertained.
Kinsale St. Patrick's Day Parade committee is delighted to announce that Mr. Rick O'Neill of our twin town, Newport, Rhode Island, has accepted our invitation to be Grand Marshal of our Parade this year.
Rick is a longtime friend of many people in Kinsale and has worked endlessly and tirelessly to promote the sister city pact between our two countries, having been involved since the initial contact was made back in 1999 and continuously promotes the twinning any way he can. Over the years Rick has always made time to show visiting Kinsale people around Newport, arranging for them to meet the right people and taking them to the Visitors Centre where they are always well looked after by Kinsale's other good friends, Cathy Morrison and Katherine Farrington.  He has also taken care and watched out for students who have gone to Newport on the J1 Visa Scheme for the Summer months.
Rick and his wife Barbara are the ultimate ambassadors for the twinning project and we as the St. Patrick's Day Committee in Kinsale,  felt it was a fitting tribute to bestow this honour on him for all his hard work and dedication in keeping this sister city pact alive and well.  
Rick will be celebrating 40 years participating in the Newport Parade when he marches in the city's annual St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 15th before he travels to Kinsale to take up the role of Grand Marshal in our Parade, an achievement in itself!  
We look forward to welcoming Rick, his wife Barbara, family, Mayor of Newport Harry Winthorp, Fire Chief Harp Donnelly and the group of firefighters travelling from Newport to march in our annual St. Patrick's Day Parade on Monday 17th March 2014 at 4pm.
Let's give them a warm Kinsale welcome and a trip to remember!

*The committee would like to thank local businesses and individuals for their wonderful generosity and support for this fantastic community event.