St. Patrick’s Festival and Dublin City Council are delighted to announce the opening of applications for the St Patrick’s Festival Relaxed Parade Space at this year’s national St Patrick’s Day Parade on Monday March 17th.
With an estimated 500,000 people expected to come out to witness the spectacle of the Parade, some of the factors that make up the typical parade experience – loud noise, crowds, unpredictability – can be overwhelming and can act as a barrier for access to many members of the neurodiverse community.
The Relaxed Parade Space, brought to you by Dublin City Council, with additional support from AsIAm, Neurodiversity Ireland and Bank of Ireland, is a space designed to support the needs of neurodivergent families and individuals, and those with sensory processing differences, ensuring that the St Patrick’s Day Parade is a safe and happy place for all to enjoy.
Located at Bank of Ireland College Green, with access points at either end, the Relaxed Parade Space will be open from 10am – 4pm and will offer attendees a safe space, away from the crowded streets from which to view and enjoy the parade. We would advise attendees to arrive by 11:30am to avoid possible heavy congestion around the area. The space will remain open after the Parade until 4pm to give people some time for the large crowds to move out of the area closest to the Relaxed Parade Space.
Within the Relaxed Parade Space, there will be extra space to allow freedom of movement to those who need it, limited additional seating, dedicated sensory areas, some entertainment before the Parade, accessible toilet areas, private break areas, and a cloakroom for larger bags and buggies etc.
Please note that access to the Relaxed Parade Space is via wristbands only.
Families who wish to avail of the Relaxed Parade Space are asked to register their interest via application form by Thursday 13 February at 5pm. If you have any issues or queries regarding this form, please contact us on info@stpatricksfestival.ie.
Due to the high volume of applications for our Relaxed Parade Space, allocation of access wristbands will be made on the basis of a lottery, taking place on Monday 17 February. Successful applicants will be contacted by email on Tuesday 18 February and will be required to confirm attendance by Friday 21 February at 12pm. Note: Due to the large numbers of applications, any applicant offered tickets in lottery, but who have not confirmed attendance by the above date will forfeit their place in the Relaxed Parade Space and their place will be reallocated.
Successful applicants who have confirmed attendance will be contacted in advance of the Festival with more details including an easy read guide and a visual guide and will receive a pack that includes wristbands and more information in the week beginning 10th March.
Waiting List
The Festival will be operating a waiting list for applicants who have not been successful in the selection lottery on Monday 17 February, and any unconfirmed tickets will be offered to applicants on the waiting list.
To apply go to stpatricksfestival.ie/about/latest-news/relaxed-parade-space
