Traffic and Travel Advice for St Patrick’s Day in Belfast

Road closures and traffic diversions will be in place across Belfast city centre on Tuesday 17 March due to the SPAR Craic 10K, the St Patrick’s Day parade and Cathedral Quarter music events. Drivers should plan ahead, allow extra travel time and expect delays between 8am and 6pm. Public transport will operate a holiday timetable.

Traffic Diversions Expected Across Belfast City Centre

Visitors travelling into Belfast city centre on St Patrick’s Day are being advised to prepare for traffic diversions and road closures as thousands of people take part in celebrations across the city.

Belfast City Council has confirmed that several major events will take place on Tuesday 17 March, including the SPAR Craic 10K race, the St Patrick’s Day parade, and a music festival in the Cathedral Quarter.

Drivers are advised to plan their journeys in advance and leave extra time when travelling into the city centre.

SPAR Craic 10K Race – Road Disruptions (8am–11am)

The SPAR Craic 10K, organised by Aisling Events, begins at Belfast City Hall at 9am and finishes at Ormeau Park.

Traffic disruption is expected from approximately 8am until 11am along the race route, which includes:

• Belfast City Centre
• Falls Road
• Stranmillis Embankment
• Ormeau Road

Motorists travelling in these areas during the morning should expect temporary road closures and delays.

More details about the race can be found here:
https://aisling-events.com/craic10k

St Patrick’s Day Parade – Rolling Road Closures (12.30pm–3.30pm)

The St Patrick’s Day parade will begin at City Hall at 1.30pm and follow a circular route around the city centre before returning to City Hall.

Rolling diversions will be in place from 12.30pm to 3.30pm in the following areas:

• Donegall Square West
• College Square East
• Wellington Place
• High Street (inner)
• Castle Place
• Royal Avenue
• Donegall Place
• Victoria Street
• Bridge Street
• Chichester Street
• Ann Street
• Upper Arthur Street
• Skipper Street
• Seymour Street

Some streets connecting directly to the parade route will also be partially closed while the procession passes.

Cathedral Quarter Music Festival Road Closures (12.30pm–6pm)

Additional road closures will take place to support the St Patrick’s Music Festival in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter.

The following streets will be closed between 12.30pm and 6pm:

• Donegall Street (between Talbot Street and Academy Street)
• Exchange Street West (between Talbot Street and Academy Street)
• Academy Street (at Great Patrick Street)
• Curtis Street (at York Street junction)
• Donegall Street (from York Street junction to Academy Street junction)

These closures will create space for live music, entertainment and festival events throughout the afternoon.

Full festival information can be found here:
https://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/stpatricks

Public Transport Changes

Public transport provider Translink will operate a holiday timetable throughout St Patrick’s Day.

However, passengers should expect some diversions while the parade and race events are taking place.

For the latest updates:

Check bus stop display screens or visit:
https://www.translink.co.uk

Plan Ahead Before Travelling

With several large events taking place across the city, visitors travelling into Belfast should:

• Leave extra time for travel
• Consider using public transport
• Check traffic updates before leaving

Full details of all planned events, road closures, parking and traffic arrangements are available from Belfast City Council:

https://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/stpatricks