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<\/a><\/p>\nThere are opportunities for the whole family to learn about Ireland\u2019s Patron Saint upon whom this day is based including not to be missed experiences such as the Saint Patrick\u2019s Trail and Saint Patrick\u2019s Way: The Pilgrim Walk.<\/p>\n
Rachel Quigg, Communications & Destination PR Officer for Tourism Northern Ireland explains why St. Patrick\u2019s Day is the perfect time to enjoy a fun day out with friends and family.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a huge array of events and activities planned for St. Patrick\u2019s Day in Northern Ireland. Wherever you are and whatever the weather, St. Patrick\u2019s Day is sure to be a great family day out, as many events are indoors as well as outside.\u201d<\/p>\n
History and legacy<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n St. Patrick is a figure that fascinates many as his profile is iconic throughout the world, even inspiring buildings and landmarks to turn green in his honour on\u00a0March 17.\u00a0 For those who would like to uncover more about the history and legacy of this renowned saint, there are lots of activities, trails and walks to try out which will help you to understand more about his life.\u00a0 Visit his grave in the grounds of Down Cathedral or explore Armagh where two impressive cathedrals bear his name.<\/p>\n Follow the\u00a0Saint Patrick\u2019s Trail<\/strong> through a host of Christian sites at Bangor, the Ards Peninsula, Downpatrick, Newry and Armagh to uncover the fascinating links between Northern Ireland and St. Patrick.<\/p>\n Saint Patrick\u2019s Way: The Pilgrim Walk<\/strong> is perfect for those who like to get out and about whilst also finding out more about the history and heritage of an area. Starting at the Navan Centre in Armagh, this 82 mile signed walking trail takes participants through some of Northern Ireland\u2019s most spectacular scenic landscapes before ending at Saint Patrick\u2019s final resting place, in the grounds of Down Cathedral. Participants can stamp their Passports at the 10 locations along the route and then present their completed Passport to receive a certificate of achievement.<\/p>\n Places to take in along the way include the Palace Demesne, Acton Visitor Centre and The Saint Patrick Centre.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Events all around Northern Ireland<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Tourism NI has put together a guide of St. Patrick\u2019s Day festivals and events across Northern Ireland for the whole family to enjoy:<\/p>\n <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Belfast<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019re in the centre of Belfast on\u00a0March 17, you will not be able to miss the festivities taking place in the city including the annual\u00a0St. Patrick\u2019s Day Carnival Parade and Concert<\/strong>. Belfast city centre will be awash with colour as the parade leaves City Hall at midday, making its way down to Custom House Square, where a free concert featuring local musicians and dancers, along with special guests, will take place.<\/p>\n The atmosphere will continue in the coming days with a special\u00a0St. Patrick\u2019s Day Weekend at St. George\u2019s Market<\/strong>, from\u00a0March 18-20, featuring live traditional music throughout the weekend, special trader offers and lots of family fun.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Co Antrim<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Get into the St. Patrick\u2019s Day mood early by celebrating all things Irish at the\u00a0St. Patrick\u2019s Day Festival at Giants Causeway<\/strong>. Taking place on\u00a0March 12-13, there will be face-painting, balloon modelling and a treasure trail, perfect fun for the whole family.<\/p>\n On St. Patrick\u2019s Day itself, the annual\u00a0Ballycastle and District Horse Ploughing Championship<\/strong> will take place. A traditional event for more than 100 years, it promises to be fun for all the family with many skilled ploughmen taking part and a great bank holiday atmosphere.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Co Armagh<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n One of Armagh\u2019s key events of the year, is the\u00a0St. Patrick\u2019s Festival<\/strong> which takes place from\u00a0March 10-20, opening with a celebratory event honouring St. Patrick through words, music and dance, the John Anderson Choral Event.<\/p>\n Over the following ten days, a wide range of activities and events will take place including an Ulster Orchestra concert in the Church of Ireland Cathedral, a Celtic Spirit concert in the Roman Catholic Cathedral, and one of Northern Ireland\u2019s biggest St. Patrick\u2019s Day precessions on the day itself.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Co Down<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n From\u00a0March 11-19, Newry will be playing host to its\u00a0St. Patrick\u2019s Festival<\/strong>, a week of fun and frolics for the whole family including a variety market, arts and crafts workshops, musical events and more, culminating in a parade with a Feasts and Wild Beasts theme.<\/p>\n Also, on\u00a0March 17, you can pay a visit to\u00a0St. Patrick\u2019s Day at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum<\/strong> where a unique festival of music, seasonal food and crafts will be taking place, with costumed guides taking visitors back to St. Patrick\u2019s Day celebrations of a hundred years ago as well as a themed quiz to be solved.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Co Fermanagh<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n As is the case every year, the\u00a0Enniskillen St. Patrick\u2019s Day Parade<\/strong> will be a lively event for all the family with a colourful parade and a family fun day, all happening on\u00a0March 17.<\/p>\n March 17\u00a0also marks the start of\u00a0Easter Extravaganza<\/strong> at Share Discovery Village, Lisnaskea which will give families lots to look forward to. Until\u00a0April 3, visitors can enjoy a variety of land, water and art activities in one or two hour taster sessions.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Co Londonderry<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Children and adults alike will enjoy the fun and excitement at Hezlett House as Leprechauns have escaped from the trees of Downhill and hidden themselves around the house. To join in with the\u00a0Leprechaun Hunt<\/strong> and discover the fascinating story of Hezlett House, come along on\u00a0March 17\u00a0from\u00a010am.<\/p>\n St. Patrick\u2019s Day also marks the beginning of\u00a0Legenderry Food Festival<\/strong> in Guildhall Square in Derry~Londonderry, with opportunities to try and buy lots of delicious Northern Ireland produce, with a host of activities such as cookery masterclasses, live music and craft activities for kids.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Co Tyrone<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Omagh\u2019s St. Patrick\u2019s Day celebrations this year have the theme \u201cSharing Heritage and Traditions<\/strong>\u201d giving everyone the opportunity to come out, get involved and enjoy the multicultural atmosphere and amazing display of creative talent on offer.<\/p>\n Also on\u00a0March 17\u00a0is\u00a0St. Patrick\u2019s Day \u2013 The Emigrants\u2019 Farewell<\/strong> at the Ulster American Folk Park. Watch a dramatic re-enactment featuring music and songs of the so-called \u201cAmerican Wake\u201d when thousands of people left Ireland in the 18th<\/sup> and 19th<\/sup> Century.<\/p>\n To find out more about what is happening in Northern Ireland over St. Patrick\u2019s Day or for further information on places to stay or things to see and do\u00a0click\u00a0on\u00a0www.discovernorthernireland.com<\/a> or visit your local visitor information centre.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" St. Patrick\u2019s Day is popular for celebrations around the world, but the ultimate place to spend the day is right here in Northern Ireland. There is something for everybody and countless ways to spend this exciting time, from fun parades and concerts to seminars and craft days. There are opportunities for the whole family to … Continued<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10926"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10926"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10926\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10929,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10926\/revisions\/10929"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10926"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10926"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10926"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}