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St Patrick's Festival Underway!

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

Tuesday 17 March
St Patrick’s Day Cross-Community Carnival Parade
This cross-community event, the centre-piece of the festival, will be a spectacular cavalcade of fl oats, bands, people in fancy dress and lots of attractions! Parade theme: ‘The Sun, the Moon and the Stars’. The parade will assemble on the Ardglass Road at 1.00pm and depart at 2.30pm for the town centre where it will arrive at approximately 2.50pm. Parade route: Ardglass Road, Edward Street, John Street, Irish Street and Market Street. The closing date for parade entries is Friday 27 February 2009. Organised by Down District Council.

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2.30pm

Downpatrick

Free

Down District Council’s Community Relations & Development Section 078 0383 2508

Tuesday 17 March
St Patrick’s Day Entertainment
There will be entertainment galore in St Patrick’s Square, and leading the celebrations will be U105’s George Jones and Julian Simmons along with a range of special guests marking the day in style with music, fun, games, craic and laughter geared towards creating that St Patrick’s Day feeling!

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12.00 noon - 5.00pm

St Patrick’s Square, Downpatrick

Free

Downpatrick Tourist Information Centre 028 4461 2233

Tuesday 17 March
Altan Live in Concert
Altan’s exquisitely produced award-winning recordings range from the most sensitive and touching old Irish songs to hard hitting reels and jigs. Heartwarming, dynamic live performances, have seen Altan move audiences from Donegal to Tokyo to Seattle. Throughout, there has been an unwavering commitment to bring the beauty of traditional music, particularly  that of the Donegal fiddlers and singers, to contemporary audiences in a way that brings out every quality and destroys none. Presented by David Hull Promotions.

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8.00pm

Down Arts Centre, Downpatrick

£15
Down Arts Centre 028 4461 0747

Saturday 14 March
Alt Pat - All Ages Rock Gig
Bring this year’s Paddy’s Day in with something a bit different. Take some of the best bands from around the country and party! Sinocence, Stone Crow, Circadian, Niyah Sky, 99miles, Outhouse to name but a few of the bands that will be performing at this all day, all ages event. Bring your attitude, earplugs, and your best band tee-shirt and tell your mum you won’t be home for dinner!  

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12.30am - 11.00pm

Down Arts Centre, Downpatrick

£5
Down Arts Centre 028 4461 0747

Saturday 14 March
St Patrick Themed Crafts for Kids
St Patrick themed crafts and balloon modelling to help the family get ready for St Patrick’s Day.  

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2.00pm - 5.00pm
Down County Museum, Downpatrick

£3
Mike King 028 4461 5218 - michael.king@downdc.gov.uk

Friday 13 March
A Day Exploring The World of St Patrick
Two talks about archaeological sites associated with St Donard and the ‘Slieve’ (Sliabh) place names of the Mourne Mountains, followed by lunch and a bus trip to Maghera and Ballaghanery Churches, near Newcastle.

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10.15am - 5.00pm
Down County Museum, Downpatrick

£15 - (includes 2 morning talks, lunch and a bus trip)
Mike King 028 4461 5218 - michael.king@downdc.gov.uk

Community Relations Unit OFMDFM

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