Music, floats and community spirit- Longford Town prepares for St Patrick's Day Parade

Michael Keenan named Grand Marshal 

Press Release: Friday, 6 March 2026

Longford Town will mark St Patrick’s Day in style this year, with a bumper parade on Tuesday, 17 March at 1pm featuring a wonderful selection of music, floats and community spirit. Funded by Longford Municipal District of Longford County Council and organised by the Local Enterprise Office Longford, the parade will draw over 40 floats and entries from across the community.

This year’s Grand Marshal is Michael Keenan — Chairperson of Longford Tidy Towns and one of the county’s most quietly effective community figures. 

A former student of St Mel’s College and the University of Galway, Michael trained as an accountant with KPMG. In 1984, he co-founded Lyons Keenan Kilemade, Chartered Accountants. Following the firm’s merger in 2015, he continued as a partner with Grant Thornton until his retirement in 2022.

Since retiring, Michael has devoted himself to community life. Under his chairmanship, Longford Tidy Towns has won a silver medal and two gold medals at the National Tidy Towns Competition over the past three years. In 2024, the town recorded 383 marks — just a few points behind national winner Carrick-on-Shannon.

Michael’s wider involvement reads like a map of Longford’s civic life: the Longford Town Team Regeneration Group, Longford Enterprise Development Company, Longford Hospice Homecare Company, Longford Chamber of Commerce (President in 1999), Longford Toastmasters, the Longford Temperance Hall Refurbishment Committee, and Longford Round Table.

Parade Details

Amuigh Faoin Spéir — Out in the Open

The 2026 theme for the St Patrick’s Day parade is, ‘Amuigh Faoin Spéir’ — Out in the Open, which celebrates creativity, community spirit, and the pleasure of coming together under the open sky. The parade features a range of community groups, schools, clubs, performers, and local businesses.

• Date and time: Tuesday 17 March 2025, 1pm
• Assembly points & route: Floats will assemble at Connolly Barracks and the parade will make its way up Main Street, Dublin Street, New Street, Ballymahon Street and Killashee Street. The collection point for children involved in the parade is the Aldi car park, Athlone Road immediately after the parade.
• The prize giving for the parade winners will take place in the Temperance Hall at 2pm after the parade.
• Accessibility: A new sensory viewing area is available on Bridge Street, above the computer clinic, with a full view of the parade. A wheelchair area is also provided at Centenary Square.

The parade will feature over 40 floats and entries spanning community, commercial, cultural, sporting, and musical groups. Confirmed participants include St Mel’s Musical Society, the Nmasinachi Igbo Women’s Association cultural group, St Teresa’s NS Band, the ICA, Longford Town FC, Longford Fire Services, traditional Irish music performers, folk dancers, Killoe Men’s Shed, and Longford Tidy Towns, among many others.

Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council, Cllr Garry Murtagh, said, “St Patrick’s Day is when Longford’s heartbeat is at its loudest. This year’s parade is a superb showcase of everything that makes this county worth celebrating — our people, our culture, and our sheer strength of community. I am delighted to welcome Michael Keenan as Grand Marshal. Few people have given more of themselves to this town and county, and this is a well-earned recognition of that.”

Chief Executive of Longford County Council, Paddy Mahon, said, “Longford County Council and the Local Enterprise Office are proud to put our full support behind this event. The parade brings colour, energy, and enormous pride to the town each year. With over 40 entries and a theme that speaks to the Irish love of the outdoors and of togetherness, 2026 promises to be something special. We encourage everyone in the county to come out, line the streets, and enjoy the day.”

Grand Marshal Michael Keenan said, “I am genuinely honoured to be asked to lead this year’s parade. Longford Tidy Towns is made up of extraordinary volunteers who give their time week in, week out, for no reward other than seeing Longford Town looking its best. St Patrick’s Day is the perfect occasion to celebrate what Longford people do for each other — and I can’t wait to see the town fill up with floats, music, and colour for this year’s parade.”

Special thanks are extended to float sponsors: Spirit Clothing, Neil Murray, Paddy Hanlon (GALA), Conor Keenan (Clarkes Bar), and Flynn & Lynch.