Celebrate Leadville’s Irish Heritage at the St. Patrick’s Day Practice Parade

The St. Patrick’s Day Practice Parade has long been a beloved Leadville tradition.

As autumn colors begin to blanket the town, green will be the hue of choice during Leadville’s Irish Weekend. Proud of its immigrant roots, Leadville honors its Irish heritage not once, but twice a year—with parades, performances, and historic tours that celebrate the enduring contributions of Irish-Americans to this mountain town.

Join us for a beautiful fall day filled with Irish charm—or make it a full weekend to experience everything the celebration has to offer.

2025 Irish Weekend Itinerary

• Friday, September 19 at 7:00 PM
  Sunset Convocation & Singalong
  Gather at the Irish Miners’ Memorial in Evergreen Cemetery for a reflective evening of music and community. Bring your favorite tunes, poems or toasts to enjoy the Memorial under the Milky Way.

• Saturday, September 20 at 12:00 PM
  Annual Practice St. Patrick’s Day Parade
  Don your green and line Harrison Avenue for a festive parade that brings the spirit of March to September. All are welcome to join, marchers meet in front of the National Mining Hall of Fame & Museum on west 9th Street.

• Saturday, September 20 at 7:00 PM
  The Young Dubliners in Concert
  Enjoy high-energy Celtic rock at the historic Tabor Opera House for this intimate fundraiser. Singing, dancing and amazing silent auction items!

• Sunday, September 21 starting at 11:00 AM
  Dedication & Cemetery Tours
  Witness the unveiling of the new Mother and Child sculpture, then explore the historic Evergreen Cemetery learning of the Irish immigrant history.

• Sunday, September 21 from 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM
  Free Entrance to Healy House Exhibit – Unearthed: Voices of Leadville’s Shanty Irish
  Visit the garden at the Healy House & Dexter Cabin for an open house with coffee and cookies and the chance to visit the temporary exhibit telling stories of Leadville’s Irish Residents. Healy House & Dexter Cabin Tours available ($5 to $10).

A Legacy Carved in Leadville’s History

At the height of Leadville’s mining boom, the Irish were the city’s largest ethnic group. As reported by the Leadville Herald, they filled a wide range of roles: miners, maids, teachers, real estate agents, police officers, barkeepers, innkeepers, doctors, nurses, lawyers, grocers, builders, landlords, investors, bankers, clergy—and yes, even a few prostitutes. The Irish community integrated into every layer of Leadville society.

Many now rest in the pauper section of Evergreen Cemetery, buried with little or no marker. Today, their legacy lives on through the striking Irish Miners’ Memorial, a testament to their enduring impact on the city.

Learn More – click here to view the PBS Special – The Lost Irish Miners of Leadville