Putting our best foot forward again

THE 2026 edition of the Glasgow St Patrick’s Festival will once again be lit up by a civic parade through the city’s streets that promises to be even bigger and better than last year’s.

Druma Mór of Rann na Feirste and The Dobhar Band have been confirmed as the special guests for next year’s parade, which will take place on Saturday March 14 and leave from the McLellan Archway in Glasgow Green before winding its way through the city and ending at Bell St.

Participants are being asked to assemble between 10.45am and 11.15am for the start of the parade, which will set off at 11.30am. Prior to the parade, a St Patrick’s Day Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop William Nolan at St Andrew’s Cathedral—complete with Irish traditional music—and all are welcome to come along.

Telling our story

Parade organiser, Danny Boyle, of St Roch’s Marching Band and Irish Minstrels CCÉ expressed his excitement at having another civic St Patrick’s parade in Glasgow and spoke of it not only offering our community an opportunity to celebrate our story, but also to extend a hand of friendship to those who are new to Scotland as we once were.

“We are absolutely delighted to welcome the bands from Rann na Feirste Druma Mór and Dobhar to this year’s parade,” he said. “Their presence reflects the commitment and energy of so many people within the Irish community across Greater Glasgow and our links to West Donegal. This is their parade and our shared moment to celebrate the generations who helped shape Scotland.

“The 2026 Glasgow St Patrick’s Festival Parade is our chance to honour the Irish story in this city a story born of hardship, resilience and hope. As we proudly welcome the bands travelling from Ireland, especially from Donegal and West Donegal, we celebrate the living links that bind our communities across generations and across the sea.

“This parade belongs to every volunteer, every organiser, every cultural group and every family who has protected and promoted our heritage through decades of challenge. It is our way of saying thank you for your relentless commitment, your pride, and your belief that our community deserves to stand together in the heart of Glasgow.

“At a time when migrants and minority communities again face hostility, uncertainty and renewed public suspicion, our own history gives us a moral responsibility to stand firm. We know what it means to arrive in a new city with little but hope, and we know how much a welcoming hand can change a life. Recognising yesterday’s struggles helps us meet those of today with compassion, solidarity and clarity.”

He continued: “In 2026, we march not only for our heritage, but for the values that sustained our ancestors’ dignity, inclusion and courage and with the spirit of all those who carried us to where we are today.

“Scotland’s Irish immigration story reaches far beyond culture. It has left a profound mark on sport, business, infrastructure, health and education and more recently green energy. It is a story of triumph over adversity and of communities who have contributed positively to the Scotland we all share today.

“In the months ahead, we will continue developing plans to commemorate and celebrate our story in a way that is positive, inclusive and true to who we are. And of course, we invite all of the people of Glasgow to come and enjoy the parade and family festival day in the Merchant City thereafter.”

Banding together

The All-Ireland winning St Roch’s Marching Band played a major role in bringing colour and noise to last year’s parade, but in 2026, they will be ably assisted by Druma Mór and The Dobhar Band, both of whom were delighted to be asked to take part in the event and spoke of Glasgow being like a home from home.

‘’When discussing where best to celebrate Druma Mór’s golden jubilee year all agreed we should stay at home, well home from home,” Dónall MacRuairí, of Rannafast’s Druma Mór, said. “For many band members, Glasgow is Donegal’s capital city and what better way to mark the occasion than perform in the streets that our forebears walked for many generations’’

“The band is honoured to take part in Glasgow’s St Patrick’s Day Festival Parade, an occasion of deep significance to our community,” Mary Coyle of The Dobhar Band added. “Gweedore and Glasgow share long-standing ties, with generations of our ancestors having emigrated to the city and helped shape its cultural life. For our band members, marching in the parade is a meaningful tribute to those families who made that journey before us, and a celebration of the enduring bond between our communities. We would be proud to represent Gweedore and especially Dobhar at the St Patrick’s Day Parade.”

Roisin Anne Hughes, Band Leader of St Roch’s Marching Band explained that they are looking forward to taking part in parade once again, in 2026, with the two aforementioned bands, but also Buíon Ceoil Brother Walfrid from Glasgow.

“It will be a wonderful celebration of music, community, and shared heritage,” she said.

Wide representation

In addition to our excellent musicians, there will also be representation on the day from Conradh na Gaeilge, our Irish dancers and GAA clubs, and various cultural groups, which only serves to highlight the depth of talent and diversity within our community.

“We were honored to have taken part in the St Patrick’s Parade 2025, which was a great success and looking forward to be included in the 2026 parade,” Brigid Coyle, of the Coyle School of Dance, said.

Paul Toland, Chairperson of Tír Conaill Harps Gaelic Football Club, added: “We are all excited to be part of Glasgow’s St Patrick’s Day Parade in 2026.

“This great event will allow us to showcase our club, our rich history, and our thriving future as an integral part of the Irish community in Glasgow.

“We take great pride in our strong relationships with musicians and dancers across the city, highlighting the vibrant cultural connections we share. We look forward to celebrating our heritage together and honouring the contributions of the Irish community which have enriched our great city.”