Celebrate St Patrick’s Day Parades and Pageantry in Downpatrick

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s annual St Patrick’s Day parade and programme of events will return to the heart of Downpatrick on Monday 17 March.

Join us from 12pm for an exciting line up of music, food and free family entertainment in St Patrick’s Square, Down Arts Centre, Down County Museum and The Saint Patrick Centre.

Everyone is also welcome to experience the colourful carnival parade that will wind its way through the streets, leaving the Downshire Estate at 1.30pm before finishing its journey Rathkeltair House.  Along the route, spectators will be treated to a vibrant spectacle of street performers, community groups, dancers and pageantry.

This year, the beat of tradition returns with seven local marching bands setting the pace.  They will be joined by the exhilarating Samba rhythms of Brazil, the vibrant dance and drum tempos of Bulgarian and Mexican folk dancers, and an array of giant parade puppets, including the ArtsEkta’s Grand Elephant and Chinese Dragon.  Colourful community floats developed by Downpatrick Community Collective, will complete this feast for the senses.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Pete Byrne said, “St Patrick’s Day is a chance to come together and celebrate our shared heritage. This year in Downpatrick, we look forward to a fantastic program of events that will showcase our culture, history and community spirit. We invite everyone to join us in marking this special occasion."

Beyond the parade, there will be free entertainment for all ages in the St Patrick’s Village in St Patrick’s Square.  The main music stage will feature an exciting line up of music, including the lively, Stephen Rafferty, country sensation, Cliona Hagan, a traditional performance by the Newcastle Comhaltas and of course, the flying feet of the Celtic Storm dance troupe. The family fun will continue with a Kids’ Zone for facepainting, arts and crafts, games and even a climbing wall for those looking for adventure.

The St Patrick’s Village will also be the home for the Medieval Market where the Magnus Vikings from Ballydugan settlement will be demonstrating and selling traditional wares that St Patrick himself would have been familiar with. The local Downpatrick Artisans market will also be packed with beautiful art and crafts for sale.

After the parade, why not wander down towards the Downpatrick and Co Down Railway station for a taste of transport in days gone by. The Downe Vintage Car club will be displaying their vehicles in the Rathkeltair carpark and the Shamrock Express is making a welcome return starting its train rides from 12pm on their traditional diesel, ‘Derry Girls’ engine and vintage carriages out to the beautiful Inch Abbey. The journey will be accompanied by traditional Irish music and dancing.

Meanwhile, The Saint Patrick’s Centre, Down County Museum and Down Arts Centre will host a full programme of activities.

For those that want to avoid the hustle and bustle on the streets, a stop at Down County Museum will provide a calm, sensory space for families, including arts and crafts, music and sensory play sessions from Mini and Mind Explorers, which must all be prebooked via: https://nmdmuseums.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173659058

The Arts Centre has street performers and craft demonstrations from 10am and The Saint Patrick’s centre will also be hosting musical and dance performances, storytelling and circus skills workshops throughout the day.

There is also an exciting lineup of events programmed in Downpatrick on the lead up to St Patrick’s Day to set the tone for the forthcoming celebration. On Thursday 13 March, the Grove car park will come alive with Fireside Stories - a mesmerizing fire performance that will bring the legend of Beowulf to life through dramatic, flame-lit storytelling, acrobatics, dance and theatre.

The festivities will continue on Friday 14 March with an intimate evening of conversation and music in The Saint Patrick’s Centre with the legendary, Dana. Meanwhile, the Arts Centre, in partnership with Film Hub NI, will screen the critically acclaimed film, North Circular.

As always, on St Patrick’s Day, the Cathedral and key buildings across the district will be illuminated in green, marking the occasion with a striking visual tribute.  For the latest updates and full event details, visit: https://www.visitmournemountains.co.uk/whats-on/st-patricks-day-parade-in-downpatrick-p773301