Community Relations Unit OFMDFM

FESTIVAL NEWS - 6th March 2009

St Patrick’s Festival Underway!

The St Patrick’s Festival is now underway, with a fantastic programme of events currently taking place in Downpatrick and surrounding areas up until St Patrick’s Day. The festival is renowned for offering an exciting and eclectic mix of modern and traditional events, and this year’s programme is no exception.

Get your earplugs at the ready as Down Arts Centre host Alt Pat, an all ages rock gig on Saturday 14 March from 12.30pm – 11.00pm. Billed as an ‘alternative St Patrick’s experience’ Alt Pat will present some of the best bands from around the country, including Sinocence, Stone Crow, Circadian, Niyah Sky, 99miles and Outhouse to name but a few.

Design: Activeware

Downpatrick's very own St Patrick, aka Neil Cusack, captivates his 'international' audience with stories of old; (left to right) Madison Deegan, Owen Campbell, Dawn Chambers, Adam Campbell and Amy Hillen. The St Patrick's Festival in Downpatrick runs from Monday 9 March to Tuesday 17 March 2009, culminating in the spectacular St Patrick's Cross-Community Carnival Parade beginning at 2.30pm on St Patrick's Day.

On a slightly quieter note, Down County Museum invites families to prepare for St Patrick’s Day with themed crafts and balloon modeling from 2.00pm – 5.00pm on Saturday 14 March.

Bricfeasta Sláintiúil, a healthy breakfast followed by a basic Irish lesson through structured play, rhyme and simple songs is on offer for parents and toddlers in St Michael’s Parish Centre, Downpatrick on Monday 16 March at 9.30am.

St Patrick’s Day is bursting with activities for the whole family. Down Arts Centre will have live music from the The Sheugh Band, traditional craft demonstrations accompanied by the antics of Herbie the Clown and friends from 10.00am – 5.00pm, a mix guaranteed to entertain kids and adults alike!

Events at Down County Museum also begin at 10.00am and include live music from international band Wilson Magwere and Talking Drum, circus entertainment, dancing, storytelling and a St Patrick’s Treasure Hunt.

Shamrock Steam Trains offer a traffic-busting solution to the St Patrick’s Day celebrations. Hop on at Inch Abbey Station and steam your way into Downpatrick town centre. Trains will run from 11.00am – 5.00pm at approximately 40 min intervals.

U105 will also join in this year’s celebrations, with George Jones and Julian Simmons hosting a wealth of entertainment on the Festival Stage. Music, fun, games, craic and laughter will be the order of the day, providing an exhilarating lead up to the centre-piece of the festival, the famous St Patrick’s Day Cross-Community Carnival Parade which will this year embrace the theme of ‘The Sun, the Moon and the Stars’, and include a truly international cast with participants hailing from as far away as Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Portugal, and Romania.

For further information or to request your free festival programme, call the Festival Office on 028 4461 2233, or view full event listings online by visiting www.st-patricksdayfestival.com.