St Patrick’s Day pride on show

SCOTLAND once again turned green for St Patrick’s Day, with events up and down the country bringing Irish communities across Scotland together as they shared their culture with wider Scottish society, but it was the second annual parade through the streets of Glasgow which once again provided the most high profile spectacle.

Led by St Roch’s Marching Band, the parade brought their trademark musical prowess to the streets of Scotland’s biggest city, and they were joined on the road this year by visiting bands Druma Mór Rann na Feirste and Banna Ceoil Dhobhair, both from Donegal, alongside Buíon Ceoil Brother Walfrid.

Their vibrant display of Irish culture and heritage was supported by participation from included from GAA clubs, Comhaltas branches, Irish history groups, dancing schools, equality campaigners and representatives of Glasgow’s Nigerian community, who also joined in celebrating of their patron saint.

With official representation from both the Irish Government and the Scottish Government, Irish Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, John Cummins TD, was joined by Minister for Public Finance, Ivan McKee MSP, marking a significant moment of shared recognition and support for the festival. They were joined by Glasgow based MSPs, and Councillors and were given a civic welcome at the conclusion of the parade by the Lord Provost of Glasgow, Dr Jacqueline McLaren.

“Today was another outstanding celebration of culture, music and community. On behalf of the parade, we want to thank every organisation, band, club, volunteer and participant for the incredible effort and commitment shown over the past year to make this event such a success,” parade organisers St Roch’s Marching Band said. “We want to pay tribute to the members of St Roch’s Marching Band who have worked tirelessly over 2025 and 2026 to develop and grow the parade. It has been a privilege to help lead this celebration and we are proud to now pass the baton to our sister organisation Tír Conaill Harps GAA Club, who will organise the parade in 2027 and 2028. We wish them every success and look forward to supporting them as the event continues to grow.”

Donegal represented

With such strong connections between Glasgow and Donegal, the parade organisers were delighted to welcome two Donegal bands to the city for the occasion—a feeling shared by those who made the journey across the water for the celebrations.

Druma Mór Rann na Feirste reflection on their experiences in Glasgow, with a spokesperson saying: “It was a tremendous honour for our band to travel from Donegal to take part in the Glasgow St Patrick’s Festival Parade.

“The welcome we received from the organisers and the people of Glasgow was fantastic. There is a real sense of shared culture and friendship here, and it was wonderful to see so many families and young people celebrating Irish music and heritage together.”

Those comments were echoed by Banna Ceoil Dhobhair, whose representative said: “Taking part in the Glasgow parade was a brilliant experience for our musicians. The atmosphere in the city was incredible and the pride in Irish culture was clear everywhere along the route.

“Events like this show the strength of the connections between Donegal and Glasgow, and we were delighted to be part of such a positive and well-organised celebration.”

Though celebrations taking place across the country pay tribute to the hard work being done in the community to ensure Irish culture wins and retains a valued place within wider Scottish society, the highest profile occasion is a powerful symbol of the strength of the sense of Irishness within large parts of the Scottish population.

Sharing culture and heritage

John Cummins TD spoke of his honour at being asked to represent the Irish Government at the parade, and highlighted the positive way in which the multi-generational community here shares its culture and heritage.

“I was honoured to join the second annual Glasgow St Patrick’s Day parade alongside political and community representatives from across the city,” he said. “The parade was a celebration of the best of the Irish community here, with representatives of the GAA, marching bands, Irish dancers, heritage groups and community organisations all joining the procession which snaked its way through the centre of this wonderful city.

“From eight-month-olds to 80 year olds, the spectators and participants of the parade today showcased an Irish community that was inclusive, positive and proud to celebrate both their Irish roots and Scottish home. The involvement of bands who travelled over from Ireland also speaks to the importance of this parade as a bridge between our two countries, reflecting our historic links and our commitment to working together in the years ahead.”

With plans already underway for the next year’s celebrations, communities around the country are reflecting on the remarkable work they have done in 2026 to ensure that St Patrick’s Day is marked in a positive and joyful way, and Lord Provost Jacqueline McLaren reflected on Glasgow’s efforts, saying: “It’s hard to believe that it’s been a full year since our city hosted its first St Patrick’s Day Parade in a generation. True to their word, the organisers have built on last year’s success with another fantastic and colourful event of which Scotland’s Irish community can be truly proud.”

PIC: GERARD GOUGH