Trek Slemish

Legend has it that when St Patrick (pictured above at the Armagh Franciscan

Friary) was captured and brought as a slave to Ireland, his first task was looking after sheep and livestock on Slemish Mountain in Co Antrim.

So, what better way to connect with the story of our patron saint this 17 March than a trek up Slemish (from the Irish Sliabh Mis, meaning Mis’ mountain).

The extinct volcano has been a pilgrimage site for centuries. The trek along the paved route takes up to an hour to complete and is challenging in parts; however, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning 360-degree view once you get to the top.

See discovernorthernireland.com

Reach for the stars in Ballina

Mayo is set to celebrate this year’s St Patrick’s Day in interstellar fashion, with aeronautical engineer and aspiring astronaut Dr Norah Patten as the grand marshal of her home town parade in Ballina.

A crew member with the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences (IIAS), she is bidding to become the first Irish person to travel to space on a future research flight. The theme of the parade is ‘Reach for the Stars’ and it starts at 3pm on 17 March from Convent Hill.

See northmayo.ie/st-patricks-day-parades-north-mayo-west-sligo

Nocturnal fun in Clones

Clones’ parade in honour of Ireland’s patron saint will take place on St Patrick’s Eve, 16 March, after dark, rather than on the day itself. The procession moves through the town at 7pm bringing with it plenty of colour and community before finishing with a fireworks display.

See monaghantourism.com/festivals

On the march in Limerick

International bands will battle it out on the streets of Limerick for the 53rd International Band Championship on Sunday, 16 March at 12pm as part of the St Patrick’s Festival in the city centre.

The traditional St Patrick’s Day parade kicks off at noon on 17 March, with a plethora of other family-friendly events on the day, including a Block Party at 2pm and Céilí Mór and music in the Milk Market from 11am to 4pm.

See limerick.ie/stpatricksfestival