Get ready for an unforgettable celebration in Armagh, the Home of St. Patrick Festival, running from Sunday 9th to Monday 17th March 2025! Known as one of Ireland’s oldest cities with over 7,500 years of history, Armagh is steeped in culture, heritage, and spiritual significance.
As Ireland’s ecclesiastical capital, Armagh proudly boasts two stunning Saint Patrick’s Cathedrals: the Church of Ireland Cathedral, built on the site of Saint Patrick’s first stone church, and the Gothic-style Catholic Cathedral with breathtaking views of the city. According to the legendary Book of Armagh, this is where Saint Patrick negotiated with a local chieftain to build his first church, making Armagh the beating heart of Irish Christianity for centuries.
Armagh is truly a city of firsts:
- First Christian City – St. Patrick established it as Ireland’s ecclesiastical capital.
- First Archbishops – Home to both the Church of Ireland and Catholic Archbishops.
- First Public Library – Armagh Robinson Library, the oldest in Northern Ireland.
- First Observatory and Planetarium – Leading the way in stargazing and astronomy.
- First Capital of Ulster – Navan Fort, a site of historical power and prestige.
- First Penalty Kick – Yes, the iconic soccer rule was born here, thanks to William McCrum!
From 9–17 March, the city comes alive with a vibrant lineup of cultural, spiritual, and historical events. Expect lively performances in music, theatre, dance, and art, alongside reflective moments that honor Saint Patrick’s enduring legacy. This is your chance to celebrate St. Patrick right where his story began – at the heart of history, faith, and tradition. Don’t miss it!
Festival Programme:
Sunday 9th March 2025
Malachy Cush and Friends in Concert
Saint Patrick’s RC Cathedral | 7.30pm | £25
To launch the 2025 Home of Saint Patrick celebrations, Saint Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cathedral presents Malachy Cush in concert. Set against the stunning backdrop of the cathedral, this special event promises an unforgettable evening. Supporting artists will enchant the audience with Celtic classics and timeless folk and spiritual melodies.
Monday 10th – Monday 17th March 2025
Greening of the Cathedrals
Dusk to 1am nightly
As dusk falls, Armagh’s two Saint Patrick’s Cathedrals are bathed in vibrant green light, standing as luminous symbols of faith and history. These iconic landmarks, central to the festival, offer a powerful reflection of Saint Patrick’s enduring legacy and his deep connection to this sacred city.
Tuesday 11th March 2025
Cathedral Partnership Event
Market Place Theatre, 7.30pm – 9pm
Join an evening of unity and inspiration as the Armagh Cathedral Partnership – celebrating the shared life in Christ between Saint Patrick’s two Cathedrals – hosts a thought-provoking event.
Discover fresh perspectives on the legacy of Saint Patrick through engaging keynote speakers and uplifting musical performances. This special gathering offers a unique opportunity to reflect, connect, and be inspired by the saint who continues to shape their shared mission.
Wednesday 12th March
St. Patrick’s Bell Lecture: Archaeology, History, and Modern Reinterpretations
7pm-8.30pm
Cormac Bourke, a distinguished scholar from Dublin now based in Belfast, will deliver this fascinating lecture. As Honorary Editor of the Ulster Journal of Archaeology and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, Bourke brings extensive expertise in early medieval metalwork. He has published widely on the subject, including a renowned catalogue of early medieval hand-bells from Ireland and Britain. This lecture promises to provide valuable insights into the archaeology, historical significance, and contemporary interpretations of St. Patrick’s bell.
Give My Head Peace
Market Place Theatre | 8pm | £27.50
After a series of sell-out tours, the Give My Head Peace team is back with a brand-new live show for 2025! Join Ulster’s favorite dysfunctional family—Da, Cal, Ma, Dympna, Billy the Peeler, Pastor Begbie, and Sandy—for sharp satire, hilarious stand-up from Tim McGarry, silly plots, and even a song or two. A guaranteed night of laughs for all the family!
Thursday 13th March
Cooking with Stout
Armagh City Hotel | Time TBC
Friday 14th March
St Patricks Shindig
Market Square | 6.30pm – 9.30pm | £10
Get ready for a night of incredible live music at the Saint Patrick’s open-air concert, headlined by the sensational High Stool Prophets! Back in Armagh after taking the Irish folk scene by storm with sold-out shows, TV appearances, and new releases, they’re sure to bring the energy.
Also on the lineup: Pure Blarney, a vibrant Irish folk band blending rich vocals with fiddle, pipes, drums, and guitars for an electrifying mix of traditional and contemporary tunes. Opening the show, The Reillys, a Belfast-based folk band known for their viral Instagram videos and Electric Picnic debut, will kick things off in style. Don’t miss this evening of unforgettable music!
Oscar Wilde’s ‘Work is the Curse of the Drinking Classes’ featuring Will Govan
Armagh Robinson Library | 7.30pm | £10
Step into the world of Oscar Wilde in this captivating one-man show, set in Paris, 1898. Wilde reflects on his extraordinary life, pondering love, fame, family, and misfortune, all with his signature wit and irreverence. Drawing from Wilde’s letters, essays, and anecdotes, this poignant yet humorous performance brings the literary icon to life.
Whether you’re a Wilde expert or new to his work, this show will captivate you. Work is the Curse of the Drinking Classes has charmed audiences worldwide, from the USA to Zimbabwe, and now comes to Armagh. Written by Neil Titley, starring Will Govan, and directed by Rebecca O’Connor, this 60-minute show (without an interval) is both funny and melancholic, praised by critics for its charm, wit, and genuine emotion.
Irish Whiskey Masterclass
Hole in the Wall Bar | 7.30pm – 9pm | £35
The Tasting experience will provide an immersive dive into Irish whiskey, where you will sample six varieties and be guided through each one by expert host, Ronan Collins, AKA Whiskey4Breakfast. You will sample whiskies from some of the most exciting new and innovative distilleries that have emerged over the last decade across the island of Ireland. You will get to experience different age profiles and cask finishes that have led to the renaissance in Irish whiskey across the globe.
Storytelling, Fiddles & Stew
Charlemont Arms Hotel | 8.00pm | £15
Ireland is synonymous with stories and welcome. The Seancaithe (the Aged) and Scéalaí (the Narrator) were the bearers of Irish traditional stories. Important characters in Ireland’s cultural past, they passed the old stories down through the generations. This special evening recounts some of these stories, told by . Relax and as you listen to these tales, enjoy the experience even more with some great locally made Irish stew on arrival. The night will be rounded off with lively music to keep the spirit of Ireland alive.
Friday 14th – Monday 17th March
Live Irish Music Trail
Across Armagh
Discover the heart and soul of Armagh through a vibrant live music trail. Stroll through charming streets and hidden venues where the sounds of folk tunes, lively jigs, and soulful ballads fill the air. From cosy pubs to outdoor stages, experience the rich musical heritage that has shaped this region.
Saturday 15th March 2025
St Patrick’s Festival Walking Tour
Departs at gates of Saint Patrick’s RC Cathedral | 2pm – 3.30pm | £6.00
On this leisurely walking tour we delve into the history of Saint Patrick and his connection with both Cathedrals (we do not go into any buildings). En route we can appreciate the wonderful panoramic views of this city, the ecclesiastical and spiritual capital of Ireland. You will hear why St Patrick chose this as the location to build his first Stone Church in 445 AD and be regaled with myths, legends as well as some unusual and quirky facts surrounding St Patrick.
Leprechaun Fun Run
The Palace Demesne | 9.30am
Lace up your running shoes and join us at the Palace Demesne to get your Saint Patrick’s celebrations up and running in a weekly 5km timed run.
Stained Glass Treasures in the City of Armagh
Places of worship in Armagh | 10am – 1pm | Free
This tour will be led by Dr David Caron, a leading expert in historical sacred stained glass. Dr Caron (National College of Art & Design, Dublin) is the editor and principal author of the revised and expanded edition of the Gazetteer of Irish stained glass (2021) and a recent book on Michael Healy 1873-1941: An Túr Gloine’s stained glass pioneer (2023).
Saint Patrick’s Stained-Glass Workshop
Synod Hall – Saint Patrick’s RC Cathedral – | 10.30am – 1.15pm or 1.30pm – 3.30pm | £40.00
Join expert glass artist, Kerrie Hanna, as you learn how to create beautiful designs for glass as well as paint mixing and paint techniques to complete the linework for multiple pieces on coloured glass. Kerrie will also demonstrate the tools and skills required for glass cutting and how to work safely with glass. Each participant will paint two final pieces within the workshop utilising the inspiration of the stained glass windows in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral; these will then be brought back to the artist’s studios to undergo the firing process for collection from the venue 1-2 weeks after the event.
Snakes, Slugs & Spiders (kids event)
Navan Centre & Fort | 11.30am, 12.30pm. 1.30pm | £10
In this event, our intrepid explorer, Allan, will take you on an interactive adventure along with his team of ‘Wee Critters’. The mission is to bring the wonder of wildlife straight to you in a fun, unique and memorable way. This will encourage a lifelong appreciation for wildlife and a commitment to play an active role in the protection and conservation of animals and the natural environment. Who knows – you may even meet a snake?
SYSTIR in Concert at St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral
Saint Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral | 7.30pm | £20
The amazing SYSTIR, featuring daughters of the celebrated Irish composer, Michael McGlynn (their artistic director) has grown from the legendary ANUNA to create a new and eclectic musical ambience. The vocal ensemble, accompanied by a guitarist and Bodhran, utilise imaginative staging, lighting and movement to enhance their performances. The inside setting of the historic Church of Ireland Cathedral is perfect as SYSTIR’s performance blends modern vocal and instrumental techniques with ancient vocal performance practices to create a unique ethereal ambience. Their repertoire ranges from original songs, written and arranged by SYSTIR, to traditional folk elements as well as contemporary influences such as Kate Bush, Dolores O’Riordan and music from the Game of Thrones television series. Drawing from the wealth of indigenous European songs, including sean-nós, SYSTIR connects ancient vocal styles with contemporary storytelling. This cultural diversity enriches their shows, making each one a journey through various facets of the human experience, whilst they also feel familiar and relatable to the audience.
Colin Murphy – ‘Murphy Beaucoup’
The Market Place Theatre | 8pm | £20
After his sell out dates with his Colinization and Whatchamacolin tours, Colin is back out on the road in 2025 with his hilarious new show Murphy Beaucoup! He examines, amongst many other things, dog poo etiquette, living in the future and being on the same planet as other humans who have the bare faced cheek to be younger than you. Age 16+
Sunday 16th March
Ukuele Workshop
Armagh City Hotel | 1pm-3pm | £6.50
Unleash your inner jig and strum your way to Irish folk mastery with our Ukulele & Traditional Irish Music Workshop! Learn to play rhythm ukulele along with jigs, reels, and polkas under the guidance of expert musicians and with a live group of prize-winning young session musicians. Master basic chords and strumming patterns and play along with the band through the most popular Traditional Irish tunes in a fun and supportive environment. So if you’ve ever wanted to delve into the rich tapestry of Irish folk music and have a fun toe-tapping-time, come along. No prior experience needed! Beginners and seasoned ukulele players alike are welcome to this workshop. Please bring along your own instrument.
Saint Patrick’s Weekend – Sunday Traditional Session
Navan Centre & Fort | 2-4pm | £10.00
Join in the fun with live music in our beautiful and magical surroundings at the Navan Centre and Fort, where we are hosting a wonderful showcase of culture & entertainment for the entire family. In Clover Music – a trio of fantastic folk singers and musicians from a strong folk & traditional background in Counties Down & Armagh. Lovely, lively lighthearted tunes combined with beautiful ballads and heavenly harmonies. Rollickin Ramblers– a recently formed Irish folk & trad band comprised of seasoned folk singers and trad musicians from the Orchard County. Energetic rip-roaring songs and lively tunes combined with soulful ballads and gentle airs to rock your Celtic soul!!
Jig Jazz – The Show
The Market Place Theatre | 7pm-9pm | £22.50
JigJazz is a new contemporary Irish Dance show featuring World Champion Irish dancers. Combining traditional Irish Dance with elements of tap and jazz, this high energy masterpiece is accompanied by superior Singers and Musicians to make it an enjoyable and memorable night.
Vigil Walk
Departs Saint Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral | 7.30pm | Free
This event has become an annual activity in the city’s Home of Saint Patrick Festival. The Vigil Walk by torchlight is led by the representatives of the city’s two Cathedrals. Join them in prayer and conversation as the Vigil starts from the Church of Ireland Cathedral and moves to the Roman Catholic Cathedral, a symbolic reflection of Saint Patrick’s own journey to unite through Christianity.
Monday 17th March
Dawn Light at Navan
Navan Centre & Fort | 6.30am – 8.30am | £22.50
What made Emain Macha so special to the ancient people of Ulster? Why was this site so steeped in history and wonder that it drew Saint Patrick to the area to build his first church? Celebrate St Patrick’s morning with Saint Patrick himself and the ancient people of Ulster. This year, bear witness, through drama, to the conversion of Daire to the faith and participate in a ceremony by our sacred pool. Afterwards, join us for breakfast, accompanied by live music.
Saint Patrick’s Day Parade
Armagh City Centre | 2.30pm
This parade is a celebration of our patron saint with a spectacular display of colour, music and entertainment for all to enjoy. The City’s wonderful home-grown parade makes its way through the city centre before finishing at the grounds of Cathedral Road Recreation Centre.
Saint Patrick’s Day Walking Tour
Departs at gates of St Patrick’s RC Cathedral | 11am – 12.30pm | £6.00
On this leisurely walking tour we delve into the history of Saint Patrick and his connection with both Cathedrals (we do not go into any buildings). En route we can appreciate the wonderful panoramic views of this city, the ecclesiastical and spiritual capital of Ireland. You will hear why St Patrick chose this as the location to build his first Stone Church in 445 AD and be regaled with myths, legends as well as some unusual and quirky facts surrounding St Patrick.
