Stunning floats set to bring splash of colour to parade

Stunning floats set to bring splash of colour to parade

9 March 2022

NEXT week’s St Patrick’s Day parade in Downpatrick will feature a number of stunning floats based around Irish mythology.

Downpatrick Town Committee and Down Community Arts have been busy working on five superbly crafted floats which are set to make a major impact next Thursday and turn heads as the festival parade makes its way through the town.

With funding provided by Newry, Mourne and Down Council and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, hours of painstaking work will be revealed next week.

Philip Campbell, from Down Community Arts and a member of Downpatrick Town Committee, is pleased with the spectacular new floats and hopes that the collaboration which made them possible, will continue for the next few years to create even more stunning pieces of work.

Children from a number of Downpatrick primary schools are also involved in the project and it’s expected that around 150 of them dressed in costume will accompany the five floats. 

This week, the children have been taking part in workshops to help complete the floats and prepare for Thursday’s parade.

“A lot of work has gone into preparing for the festival parade and we are delighted with all the support that we have received,” said Philip.

“The financial support from the local council and the Arts Council has been major benefit and we have been able to source all the materials that we need locally which has helped support local businesses.”

Philip said it has been good to involve local primary school children in the project and has thanked them and their teachers for taking part.

Work has been continuing to build the floats in the Down Arts Centre with one of the stunning new creations being made in Lurgan, but will be transported to Downpatrick for the big day.

“We have been working on the project since January 22 with the help of local artist Kieron Back and Rab Galbraith and John Wilson from the Town Committee have played key roles in getting us to where we are today,” Philip continued.

“The theme of the floats is Irish mythology and they include the Brown Bull of Ulster, Legananny Dolmen and Manannán mac Lir. The float being built in Lurgan features the Children of Lir.”

Philip said all those involved with the Downpatrick parade are conscious that the last event was held in 2019.

“We are making the most of the opportunity to participate in the first major outdoor event staged in the district since the coronavirus pandemic,” he said.

“Our aim is to build on the work we have done this year and secure additional funding over the next two years so that by 2024 we could have up to 20 floats in the St Patrick’s Day parade.”

Philip said Downpatrick Town Committee is keen to maximise the opportunities the town has and also make statement that it has the biggest March 17 cross-community festival parade.