WITH this year’s St Patrick’s Day (March 17) falling on a Saturday, Northern Ireland is set for a weekend of family friendly festivities to celebrate the patron saint of Ireland, says the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB).
There will be a wide range of fantastic events taking place across Northern Ireland for everyone to enjoy from carnivals to concerts and from traditional music sessions to Irish dance or families can spend the day following in the footsteps of St Patrick himself by discovering more about the Saint’s life and legacy on the St Patrick’s Trail.
NITB’s Destination PR Officer Pauline Gormley is encouraging people to make the most of the great range of events on offer.
“This year’s calendar is jam-packed with celebrations for St Patrick’s Day with entertainment and tours, family fun, food tastings, street carnivals and much more,” said Pauline.
“There are also so many places to explore and intriguing stories, both fact and fiction, waiting to be discovered along the St Patrick’s Trail, so there really is something that all families can enjoy,” she said.
To help plan your St Patrick’s Day celebration, NITB has highlighted a range of things to do;
ST PATRICK’S TRAIL
Visitors following the St Patrick’s Trail can start and finish at any one of the sites along the way which have been identified as having some connection to St Patrick’s life, mission or legacy.
Why not start in the city of Armagh with the two St Patrick’s Cathedrals, Armagh Public Library and St Patrick’s Trian – where ‘The Armagh Story’ traces Armagh’s development from the stone monuments of pagan times, through to the coming of Saint Patrick and Celtic Christianity, to the modern day city. Armagh is also home to No 5 Vicars’ Hill which contains early Christian artefacts, old maps of Armagh and a timeline providing a continuous history of religious leaders including St. Patrick.
St Patrick’s remains are buried in the graveyard attached to Down Cathedral in Downpatrick and nearby is St Tassach’s Church where he was given the last rites. Also in Downpatrick, The Saint Patrick Centre explores the legacy of Saint Patrick and his life and the Down County Museum has an impressive collection of early Christian artefacts relating to the saint.
The Trail continues through North Down and along the Ards Peninsula to Greyabbey. Saul Church is an important landmark as it was here St Patrick began his crusade to convert the Irish to Christianity.
Other sites along the trail include Bagenal’s Castle in Newry, Bangor Abbey and holy wells at Struell and Inch Abbey, on Downpatrick’s outskirts.
FAMILY FESTIVITIES
Co. Armagh
Where better to celebrate Saint Patrick than his chosen city of Armagh where the Saint Patrick’s Festival runs for an impressive ten days from March 9 – 19.
Highlights include a special concert by The Priests in the majestic Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, the second annual Busking competition, Irish Stew Night with entertainment from the Bards of Armagh, a wonderful Saint Patrick’s Night Concert and an extravagant St Patrick’s Day Carnival Parade boasting music, dance and entertainment to delight young and old alike.
Also taking place as part of Armagh’s festival are numerous concerts, gigs, lectures, live events, craft sessions and church services.
Co. Down
Known widely as St Patrick’s town and the reputed burial site of the patron saint, the St Patrick’s Festival in Downpatrick holds an extra special significance. Down District Council is presenting a seven day programme of events from March 12 to March 19 and this includes the St Patrick’s Day Cross-Community Carnival Parade which makes its way through the streets of Downpatrick on March 17.
Events throughout the festival will offer opportunities to learn more about the history of St Patrick, celebrate his life, explore the fabulous County Down countryside and enjoy a wide range of concerts, exhibitions, sporting and family events. With over 40 events to choose from and a wealth of free entertainment on offer, Downpatrick’s St Patrick’s Festival has something for everyone.
Jump aboard the Downpatrick and Co. Down Railway vintage steam train for the St Patrick’s Day Shamrock Special which will depart from Inch Abbey and will arrive at Downpatrick for the festivities.
The Down County Museum will host the St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations event which will feature traditional and folk music, Irish and Scottish dancing as well as children’s entertainers and storytelling – a perfect family day out.
Castle Ward will be hosting its annual 13 – 18km walk and Down Royal will be hosting a great day of horse racing.
Belfast
Belfast will become awash with colour and splendour when the St Patrick’s Day Carnival takes to the streets on March 17. Following the parade, the 2012 St Patrick’s Day Concert at Custom House Square runs from 1pm – 3pm and will feature a mix of traditional music and dance as well as a popular artist.
If you want an energetic start to your St Patrick’s Day then dress in green and join the St. Patrick’s Day 5k Fun Run at the Stormont Estate. Runners will be raising awareness for the charity Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease at this alternative event. The Cultúrlann will also be celebrating with a range of family fun including live traditional music, face painting and much more.
Co. Antrim
Join the St. Patrick’s Celebration at Old Bushmills Distillery and enjoy the unique setting of the 1608 bar where visitors can enjoy live music and various Bushmills cocktails. Sink or Slim, a comedy in three acts by Sam Cree performed by Moycraig YFC will be taking place in Ballymoney Town Hall.
The Patterson’s Spade Mill is celebrating with ceilidh dancing, traditional music and the best local produce.
Co. Fermanagh
The St Patrick’s Day celebrations are also kicking off in Enniskillen with the St Patrick Annual Water and Street Parade. St Patrick himself arrives by boat from the Ardhowan Theatre to the Lakeland Forum where he leads the carnival parade through the town. Live music will also entertain the crowds throughout the day.
Also taking place in Enniskillen at the Castle Museums is the popular Family Fun Day with a celebration of local history and culture. Highlights include Maeve the Vintage Steam Engine, as well as archaeological digs, siege machines, medieval food demonstrations, quill writing, historic castle and other activities.
The Green Fingers Festival will be taking place at the Orchard Acre Farm with cookery demonstrations, illustrated talks, garden tours and traditional music sessions.
Co. Tyrone
Join the celebrations at the annual Cultural Parade in Dungannon which will be followed by live music from 6pm in Anne Street.
Omagh will be hosting a St Patrick’s Day Parade and outdoor music concert with Kintra, a fusion of musicians, singers and dancers from the North West of Ireland, and other local artists including the Omagh Community Choir.
The Strule Arts Centre is hosting a St Patrick’s Day Arts and Crafts Fair with a variety of handmade, authentic Irish items on display including a mixture of ceramics, jewellery, knitwear, tapestry and much more.
Co. Londonderry
This year’s St Patrick’s Day Spring Carnival at the Guildhall promises carnival parades, concerts, dancing, storytelling and colourful characters. Over 900 community and voluntary groups are taking part in the “Voyage of Discovery” themed carnival parade which explores everything from the city’s aviation and maritime history to all great voyages including jungles, rainforests, oceans and even outer space. There will also be live music and street entertainment.
In addition to this there will be a wide range of events taking place in various locations throughout the city including Shamrock Shenanigans at Springhill with live music over a bowl of colcannon mash or Irish stew, the children’s shamrock trail and craft activities and a Bluegrass String Band in concert at the Riverside Theatre.
To find out more on St Patrick’s Day events click on www.discovernorthernireland.com or visit your local tourist information centre. You can also keep up-to-date with the latest news, images, videos and competitions by visiting http://www.facebook.com/discovernorthernireland.