The Downtown Irish Club, Inc is a social organization dedicated to preserving and perpetuating the Irish Identity in the New Orleans. Celebrating our Irish heritage throughout each and every year since 1976, the Downtown Irish Club maintains that "everyone is Irish for a day", making our membership rich and diverse. We march from founders' Roy Markey, Sr. and Edward "Bud Rip" Ripoll Jr.'s iconic establishments in the Bywater to the heart of the French Quarter. We're the only parade annually on St. Patrick's Day Proper with parade stops on Frenchmen, Decatur and Tchoupitoulas! Come out and enjoy the festivities that surround St Patrick's Day. For those interested in membership in the Downtown Irish Club and walking the historic parade route, come meet with us at one of the General Meetings listed below or apply on our Applications Page.
UPCOMING EVENTS - 2024
February 24, 2024 - Annual Block Party @ Washington Square 12 Noon - 4PM
This year’s Block Party was a rousing success. Thank you all who attended and we look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events and at next year’s block party.
March 9, 2024 - Annual Grand Marshall Party Bus Ride
Starting at The Ugly Dog Saloon and head out on a mobile bar crawl on a Party Bus. Bus capacity is 40. We are taking reservations from the first 40 persons. If we exceed 40 reservations, we can look at reserving a larger bus. So if interested, please contact the club at info@downtownirishclub.com Please arrive at the Ugly Dog Saloon no later than 1:30PM. We will have 4-5 scheduled pub stops and end up back at the Ugly Dog at 4:00PM. Please wear traditional Irish colors, your parade tuxedo, or kilt for this ride. You do not have to be a member of the club to ride. Plus one's are most welcome. This a very coed event. And a ton of fun. Cost is $25 per person and includes free Guinness at each stop and on the bus.
March 17, 2024 - 2024 Downtown Irish Club Parade
This year’s parade will begin at Washington Park at step off at 6PM. There will be a preparty at the Marigny Brassiere (corner of Frenchmen St and Royal St) beginning at 4PM. Live music will be provided by "Catie B. & The Hand Me Downs".
Route is same as last year and most of the same Pub Stops. Parade is permitted for 4 hours. But should arrive at the Ugly Dog Saloon at approximately 9:30PM, This year’s Parade Grand Marshall is John Fox and the Man of the Year is AJ Duvio.
The parade will culminate with a Block Party at The Ugly Dog Saloon. Live music and plenty of drinks for those who are great at pacing themselves... The Block Party will start earlier in the day and be well under way when we arrive. The Ugly Dog Saloon will be there as long as we are. Remember to be responsible and pre arrange for a ride (or driver).
New Orleans Downtown Irish Club