Shenandoah University Marching Band And Cheer Team To Perform In Ireland’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade In 2028
Dublin performance will be the Marching Band’s second international appearance
The Shenandoah University Marching Band and Cheer Team have been invited to perform in the National St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland, in 2028, Director of Athletic Bands Shaun Evans, D.M.A., announced on Nov. 14. It will be the Marching Band’s second international performance since its debut in 2022.
The National St. Patrick’s Day Parade is the cornerstone of the St. Patrick’s Festival, Ireland’s official celebration of its national holiday, which takes place annually on March 17, in front of half a million spectators. It will be the second large-scale holiday parade in Europe in which Shenandoah’s Marching Band has performed, following its appearance in the London New Year’s Day Parade in 2025.
I am incredibly excited that our students have been selected for this extraordinary opportunity. The Shenandoah University Marching Band and Cheer Team work tirelessly to perform at the highest level while proudly representing the spirit of our university. To see their dedication and hard work recognized once again on an international stage is truly special. Beyond the excitement of performing in Ireland, I am especially grateful for the opportunity our students will have to immerse themselves in a new culture, build meaningful connections and create lifelong memories.”
Shaun Evans, D.M.A., Director of Athletic Bands
The National St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which begins at noon local time in Dublin City Centre, spans a two-mile route and annually features over 3,000 performers. Around 10 to 15 marching bands from all over the world are chosen to participate each year, and approximately one-quarter of those are U.S. college marching bands.
Ireland’s St. Patrick’s Festival was established in 1996, and has grown into a five-day celebration featuring musical, dance and theater performances, literature, visual arts, food and more. It’s recognized as one of the world’s largest festivals, reaching a global audience of 523 million people in 2026, according to the festival’s website.
