Sharon Shannon Announced as Galway St. Patrick's Day Parade Grand Marshal

National treasure and traditional Irish music superstar Sharon Shannon has been announced as the Grand Marshal for the 2025 Galway St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

“We are thrilled to have Sharon Shannon as our Grand Marshal,” said Mayor Peter Keane, who chose her for the role.  

“Her immense talent, passion for Irish music, and dedication to preserving and sharing our culture worldwide make her the perfect representative for St. Patrick’s Day. We can’t wait to see her lead the parade and share in the festivities.”

Sharon Shannon is celebrated for her exceptional talent as an accordionist and her incredible contributions to Irish music. She has captivated audiences worldwide with her unique blend of traditional and contemporary sounds and is one of Ireland’s most beloved musicians and a great inspiration for all the participants in the parade.

With a career spanning 40 years, she has toured around the globe in some of the most prestigious venues, from The Kennedy Centre in Washington to London’s Wembley Arena.

Photo Credit: Gary Vaughan

Hailed as a national treasure by President Michael D Higgins, she continues to redefine the boundaries of Irish traditional music, through her collaborations with reggae, rap and classical musicians.

She has recorded and toured with Bono, Willie Nelson, Nigel Kennedy, Steve Earle, Justin Adams, Johnny Depp and the late Shane MacGowan, among many lauded artists. Not only that, she has entertained US Presidents Clinton at the White House, and Obama in Dublin, achieving multi-platinum album sales and several chart toppers.

Her album Galway Girl went four times platinum in Ireland with the title track winning her the Meteor award two years running for the most downloaded song. The ‘Blackbird’ composer also celebrates being the youngest ever recipient of the Meteor Lifetime Achievement Award and holds an honorary doctorate from The University of Galway.

St Patrick's Day Parade 2025

This year’s parade will see 50 community groups and over 3,000 participants take to the streets of Galway showcasing the city’s heritage, music, dance and different cultural backgrounds. The parade will platform Galway’s shared sense of community, pride and that special atmosphere that makes Galway unique in what is shaping up to be the largest ever St Patrick’s Day Parade in the city.

The parade commences at 11:30am on Monday, March 17th and will depart from the University of Galway onto University Road, cross the Salmon Weir Bridge, onto Eglinton Street and continue through Eyre Square, to Bóther na mBan and finish at the Dyke Road Car Park. Road closures will be in place from 11am until approximately 2pm.