Celbridge kicks off at 4pm on Tuesday 17 March, the theme is Gulliver's Travels (marking 300 years of Jonathan Swift's novel), and the headline act is the Ohio State University Marching Band flying in from the US, joined by The Brass Monkeys and a Brazilian Samba Band.

Celbridge needs 15 more volunteer stewards or the parade simply cannot go ahead — if you can help between 1pm and 6pm on 17 March, email [email protected].

There's a free pre-parade concert on Celbridge Main Street from 2:30pm — Armagh folk band Still Tuning headlines, with face-painting, balloon modelling, and character photo ops for the kids before the parade steps off.

Celbridge Main Street closes from 1:30pm to 6pm on 17 March — approach from the Maynooth side via M4 Exit 6, or from Leixlip via M4 Exit 5 then R403.

If you use the C4 bus between Celbridge and Maynooth on the day, Dublin Bus is diverting the route from approximately 1:30pm to 3:30pm — switch to the train or an earlier bus if you can.

Maynooth's parade on 17 March has a brilliant theme this year — "Medieval Maynooth" — as part of the town's 850th anniversary celebrations. Road closures around Main Street are expected from approximately 10:30am to 12:30pm. Volunteer stewards needed — email [email protected].

After the parade, the Glenroyal has a Family Fun Day from 11am to 3pm — €10 per child, with games, face painting, and a magic show at 1pm.

Bus Éireann is running a Sunday timetable on St Patrick's Day — if you rely on the 115 or 115X, expect fewer services than a normal Tuesday.

Leixlip's parade assembles at Scoil Bhríde, Green Lane from 12:15pm with a 1pm start.

Kilcock's parade kicks off at 1:30pm from St Joseph's Graveyard, Boycetown — this year's theme is "On Our Screens: From Soaps to Superheroes."

Irish Rail are doing overnight track maintenance on the Maynooth and Hazelhatch corridors all this week (Mon 9–Sat 14 Mar) — no major daytime disruption expected.

Late-night M50 works are running Mon–Thu this week (10pm–6am), with lane closures around J10–J11 Ballymount/Tallaght — only relevant if you're heading into Dublin late.

Check your bank on Thursday 12 March if your household gets Working Family Payment — the Fuel Allowance is being extended to WFP families this week, with backdated payments of up to €380 going out automatically. No application needed.

Kildare is getting over €6.3 million in Home Adaptation Grant funding, announced today — this covers ramps, stairlifts, accessible bathrooms, and similar works for older people or anyone with a disability at home. Contact Kildare County Council to check if you or a family member qualifies.

195 apartments have been approved beside the canal at Parson Street, Maynooth — a 7-storey block given the green light by Kildare County Council on 27 February.

Celbridge–Leixlip MD meeting is on Friday 20 March. Kildare County Council Full Council meets Monday 23 March.

St Patrick's NS in Celbridge reopened on Monday 2 March after its earlier closure — good news for families who had a difficult few weeks.

Eight North Kildare school building projects are confirmed in the national 2026–2030 investment plan, including new post-primary buildings for St Mary's College Naas and St Farnan's Prosperous, and an extension at Presentation Girls School Maynooth — due to go to tender in 2026–2027.

Ireland face Scotland this Saturday 14 March with the Six Nations title still on the line — sadly Athy's Jeremy Loughman won't be part of it, ruled out with a calf injury after starting the first three games of the championship.

Maynooth face Moorefield this Thursday 12 March at 8pm in the opening Kildare Senior Football League Division 1 fixture — good one to get to if you're local.

Big weekend for Kildare GAA on 21–22 March — camogie face Tyrone on Saturday, hurling travel to Wexford on Saturday evening, and the footballers host Louth at St Conleth's Park, Newbridge on Sunday at 1:15pm.

Free parenting talk at Maynooth Library tomorrow, Tuesday 10 March at 6:30pm — Helena Walsh covering discipline, boundaries, and secure attachment. Booking required.

MotoXpo is on at Punchestown this Saturday 14 March — big regional motorsport event if you've got petrolheads in the family.

Free First Aid for Parents session at Leixlip Library on Thursday 19 March at 6:30pm, and also in Celbridge on Friday 20 March, 10–11:30am— covering choking, burns, seizures, and when to call 999. Booking required.

Marchathon 2026 is running at Maynooth University all month (2–29 March) — worth a look if you're based around the campus.

Kildare Jazz Festival has an emerging act performance on Friday 27 March — venue and ticket details still TBC, but keep an eye out.