Community Relations Unit OFMDFM
FESTIVAL NEWS -
Community at the Heart of St Patrick’s Festival
Down District Council’s St Patrick’s Festival is one of the largest cross-
At the very heart of the festival is the outstanding contribution made by community
organisations across the district, culminating in the spectacular St Patrick’s Cross-
Design: Activeware
Councillor Colin McGrath, Chairman of Down District Council joins Rev Stewart Burns, Church of Ireland, Rev Ross Harte, Methodist Church, Very Rev Henry Hull, Church of Ireland, Rev Harold Robinson, Downpatrick Presbyterian Church, and Canon Sean Rogan, St Patrick’s RC Church to discuss the upcoming St Patrick’s Festival celebrations.
Pre-
A duplicate pairs Bridge Competition will take place on Tuesday 10 March at 7.30pm in St Brigid’s Primary School, followed by a quiz on Friday 13 March at 9.00pm in Denvirs Hotel, Downpatrick. Also on Friday 13 March, Dunmore Orange Hall will host a St Patrick’s Festival Table Quiz at 8.00pm.
Down High School will present a Concert of Choral and Instrumental Music on Thursday 12 and Friday 13 March in the Great Hall, Downpatrick at 7.45pm, followed on Saturday 14 March by Loughinisland Irish Night, a family evening of music, song, dance, storytelling and an adult ceili taking place in Loughinisland GAA Club from 7.30pm.
On Sunday 15 March the annual Jimmy’s 10k Road Race will depart from Down Leisure Centre at 12.00noon and a Musical Evening of Song and Dance will commence at 8.30pm in the Burrendale Hotel, Newcastle to celebrate St Patrick’s Day and showcase local culture and traditions.
Parents and toddlers are invited to Bricfeasta Sláintiúil, a healthy breakfast followed by a basic Irish lesson through structured play, rhyme and simple songs in St Michael’s Parish Centre, Downpatrick on Monday 16 March at 9.30am. At 8.00pm Carrickmannon Traditional Group will present a St Patrick’s Eve Concert with young traditional Irish musicians and singers in Downpatrick Library, St Michael’s Parish Centre will host an Irish Stew Night and also beginning at 8.00pm is Stew, Music and Yarns at the Lodge, Castlewellan.
Councillor Colin McGrath, Chairman of Down District Council met with a number of Church leaders from Downpatrick this week to discuss the upcoming St Patrick’s Festival. Speaking at the meeting, Councillor McGrath stated,
‘The St Patrick’s Festival is always a time of enjoyment and celebration, and it is wonderful to see all sectors of the community come together to enjoy the festivities. However, it important to reflect on the religious significance of St Patrick’s Day, and I would like to draw attention to the number of religious ceremonies also outlined in the festival programme in remembrance of the patron Saint.
St Patrick's Day is first and foremost a christian celebration and we are blessed that our National Saint also symbolises unity and allows us to celebrate his work in such a community fashion. I wish all our churches well with their celebrations and hope they can continue to work with Down District Council to ensure Patrick's vision of a united people can be achieved.’
As St Patrick’s Day dawns, pilgrims are invited to take part in a walk to Down Cathedral, organised by the Church of Ireland. Buses to Saul Church will depart from The Mall approaching Down Cathedral from 8.30am – 9.15am for the Ecumenical Service at St Patrick’s Church, Saul before the walk back to Down Cathedral commences at 10.30am.
Mass will be celebrated in Irish at St Patrick’s Church, Downpatrick at 10.00am, followed by presentation of Shamrock to the local Scout group, organised by the Parish of Downpatrick.
A Quiet Prayer Room will be available in the Methodist Church, Scotch Street, Downpatrick from 10.00am – 5.00pm open to everyone and offering a space for quiet contemplation and prayer.
An Interdenominational Festival Service will take place at 11.45am in Down Cathedral, followed by a Wreath Laying Ceremony at St Patrick’s Grave at 1.00pm, organised by Church of Ireland.
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-