26th Luton St Patrick’s Festival
Sun’s out and so are the Irish in Luton!
St George’s Square was a sea of green and ALL the county flags for our 26th St Patrick’s Parade on Saturday 15th March.
On the main stage we welcomed our headline acts!
Country legend Declan Nerney
And we set a festival SLOSH dance record - led by Debbie Connolly and the LIF line dancers. We’re not keeping score but it’s 100% more than last year and might become a festival tradition!
Huge well done to Debbie and the LIF line dancers!
Thank you to everyone who took part.
This year’s Festival Fusion brought together Bhangra Smash Up, Irish dancers, led by Daniel Coogan and, The Macánta Pipe Band
Bhangra Smash Up and The Macánta Pipe Band headed into Luton Point, entertaining shoppers with their rousing music.
Rake The Ashes - The superb vocals and musicianship of this ever popular band.
BibleCode Sundays were a huge crowd pleaser
Love Irish Dancing?
Bringing you the best footwork from all the local Irish dancing schools
Phipps and Houlihan School of Irish Dancing
Cotter School of Irish Dancing
The Walshe Academy of Irish Dancing
The Tiersha Academy of Irish Dancing
Herlihy Burgoine School of Irish Dancing
Hundreds of you gathered in Luton Point - Melson Square, cheering on these exceptional young dancers.
D’After Party
The craic continued on St Patrick’s Day with live music from Missing The Ferry & Chamberlane. For people who wanted a slower pace, there was a chill out zone with games and some talented amateur performers.
Chamberlane
chamberlane.mgmt@gmail.com
Enjoy the highlights of Parade Day 2025 with this great video - Thank you to Rory of https://www.instagram.com/movingimagefilm/ and to https://www.facebook.com/BibleCodeSundays for the music
Download the Festival Guide (8MB)
Can’t get enough St Patrick’s memories?
Head to https://www.facebook.com/LutonIrish/photos_albums
Scroll down to our St Patrick’s albums - If you get distracted by ALL the other fun events since St Patrick’s…Don’t blame us. We love celebrating all things Luton Irish.
Re live the Parade highlights!
Missing The Ferry
missingtheferry@gmail.com
Not just Parade Day!
If you thought that Luton St Patrick’s was just the Parade Day…? It’s a two week festival of events and activities for everyone to enjoy.
The BIG Pub Quiz
St Patrick’s 25 got off to the BEST start with the BIG Pub quiz at The Black Swan - Luton. 16 teams battled for the winning spot with questions set by Quizmaster Phil! Congratulations ‘By the Bar!’ Top team, who kindly donated their winnings to LIF. Wooden spoons to losing team 15BUV. Thanks to the Black Swan staff especially the table service team.
St Patrick’s Crafts
300+ children and parents got crafty in our Pre St Patrick’s Craft session at Luton Point , making snakey spinners and decorating St Patrick’s hats. LIF Interact’s Zaynab fused South Asian Mehndi with Celtic designs and Spiderman, decorating little hands. Thank you to all staff member Skye for organising and volunteers, Marion, Pauline, Merwa, Zaynab, Kathleen, Aoife, Delsey, Alanna and Karen.
There were more crafts on Parade Day, keeping the children busy and engaged with Irish heritage.
Seán Ó Riada Mass
Thank you to Fr Brendan of Our Lady Help of Christians Church for the beautiful Seán Ó Riada Mass. Well done to the LIF Choir for being in such great voice. A special thank you to Mrs Doran for organising the lovely bidding prayers read by St Joseph’s Primary School and Cardinal Newman Catholic School pupils.
St Patrick’s Afternoon Social
It wouldn’t be St Patrick’s without a Social. Members partied and danced to both traditional Irish music and a bit of Country & Western. There was even time for the ever popular Seige of Ennis!
Thank you to the staff at Luton Celtic Supporters Club for hosting us and to The Quare Fellas with Brian Burke. Some beautiful Irish dancing from The Walshe Academy of Irish Dancing rounded off the entertainment.
Fairfield Manor Care & Nursing Home
St Patrick’s came to Fairfield Manor Care & Nursing Home. Residents enjoyed some lovely food prepared by LIF Interact, music from Alan on the accordion and Irish dancing from the Grant School.
Everyone had a fabulous time joining in with the singing and celebration.
Looking forward to St Patrick’s 2026
Yes! Planning and preparation is already underway for 2026. The festival is for the community and organised by the community, with over 80+ volunteers involved in different aspects of the festival.
Want to get involved?
The St Patrick’s Planning Committee meets from September onwards. Join us and help shape and work on St Patrick’s 2026. All skills welcome. We’ll promote this on our social media nearer the time so be sure and check back.
Want to carry your County flag in the Parade? Nothing better than a sea of County flags and we welcome new bearers. Each flag needs at least two bearers and wouldn’t it be the craic for your whole family to dress in County colours and walk with you? Friendly dogs welcome! Email us on info@lutonirishforum.org to claim your flag.
