Victoria Smurfit named Grand Marshal for St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Actress Victoria Smurfit has been selected as grand marshal for the 2025 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin.

“I am absolutely thrilled and deeply honoured to be named as this year’s Grand Marshal,” Smurfit said in a statement. “I still can't believe it! I’m so grateful to be part of this incredible celebration, St. Patrick’s Day has always been a special day for me, and to be asked to lead the Parade is truly a dream come true”.

The celebrated actress, renowned for her standout performances in Ballykissangel, Once Upon a Time, and Disney+’s Rivals, will lead this year’s spectacular St. Patrick’s Day festivities through the heart of the city on 17th March.

The 2025 National St. Patrick’s Day Parade promises to uphold the values of joy, community, diversity and sustainability. Moreover, the theme of this year’s global celebration of Irish arts, culture and heritage is Adventures (Eachtraí), representing the adventurous spirit that has become a defining symbol of Irishness across the world.

Lord Mayor of Dublin, Emma Blain, spoke about the upcoming event, stating: “The National St. Patrick’s Day Parade is one of the most significant events in our city’s calendar. It’s an exciting celebration of Irish creativity, culture, and community”.

“We are also thrilled to have Victoria Smurfit as our Grand Marshal leading this year’s Parade,” Lord Mayor Blain continues. “Victoria is an outstanding choice - she is an incredibly talented Irish performer who has made her mark on a global stage while staying deeply connected to her Irish roots. I look forward to seeing her lead this year’s Parade and I encourage everyone to join us and be part of this unforgettable celebration.”

Smurfit joins an impressive lineup of past grand marshals for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, including Olympic boxer Kellie Harrington, paralympian Ellen Keane and Late Late host Patrick Kielty, who served as grand marshal for last year’s festivities.

The parade and festival will take place all over Dublin city centre, and will be broadcast live on RTÉ One and around the world on the RTÉ Player.

For more information on festivities and the parade route, please see here.