St Patrick's day for all

St Patrick's day for all

16 March 2022

THOUSANDS of people are expected in Downpatrick tomorrow for the town’s first St Patrick’s Day parade in three years.

The finishing touches have been put to a packed programme of events, culminating in the spectacular cross-community festival parade which will feature over 40 different groups and around 300 people, including children from a number of local schools.

A wide variety of floats will be on show, including five stunning creations made by Downpatrick Town Committee and Down Community Arts, with the help of creative artists Kieron Black and Leontia Haldenby.

The parade — which leaves the Downshire Civic Centre at the Ardglass Road at 1.30pm — will also include swirling dancers, a cavalcade of community floats, costumed characters and a cavalcade of vintage cars.

Prior to the global pandemic, around 10,000 visitors flocked to Downpatrick for the annual parade, religious services and festival fringe events.

The return of the March 17 spectacular in the home of the patron saint also provides a much-needed boost for traders with the town centre expected to be thronging with people tomorrow, especially given the encouraging weather conditions.

Newry, Mourne and Down Council chairwoman Cathy Mason hopes many people will take the opportunity to make their way to Downpatrick for the first St Patrick’s Day parade since 2019 and have an enjoyable family day out in an area where the patron started and ended his ministry.

She is delighted that the annual parade will take place once again to provide an opportunity to celebrate the best in home grown talent.

“The Downpatrick parade has grown in stature and spectacle over the years and the line-up this year offers visitors and residents an entertaining day out to enjoy with family and friends,” said the chairwoman.

Cllr Mason said she was “honoured and privileged” to lead the festival parade, which is just one of a number of events for local people and visitors to enjoy tomorrow.

“The weather forecast looks promising and I hope people have an enjoyable day,” she added.

“Tomorrow will be the first time that I will lead the parade which is the first to take place in Downpatrick since 2019,” she said.

“I think everyone is ready for the parade, with the festival providing an opportunity for people to get out and about again and meet up with friends. 

“The return of the St Patrick’s Day celebrations will also provide a boost for traders who endured a particularly tough time during the pandemic. I hope tomorrow’s festivities will bring a lot of life to the town centre.”

Cllr Mason also hopes that next year there will be a series of events in the lead up to St Patrick’s Day to make the most of the patron saint’s links with Downpatrick and the wider Lecale area.

“Tomorrow’s parade and the various other events that are taking place is a good news story, especially for Downpatrick. I would encourage people to come out and enjoy themselves in as safe a way as possible and support local businesses,” she said.

“The weather forecast looks promising and I hope people have an enjoyable day.”