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St Patrick's Day: What's happening in Northern Ireland?

Lili Busby, Jake Liggett and Rachel McKeeman
BBC News NI
PA Media The image shows a vibrant parade with various participants in colourful costumes. The central focus is a large, inflatable structure resembling a sun with multicoloured rays, mounted on a purple platform. A performer stands inside the structure, dressed in a green and gold outfit. Surrounding the structure are participants in red outfits pushing the platform, and others in green and purple costumes holding decorative staffs. The parade is taking place on a street lined with spectators, with a historic brick building and a modern building in the background. The scene is lively and festive, indicating a celebration or festival.PA Media
Performers taking part in the St Patrick's Day 2024 parade in Belfast

Thousands of people are expected to gather in towns and cities across Northern Ireland to celebrate St Patrick's Day on Monday.

Belfast promises to be a multicultural celebration of music, culture, the Irish language and community.

Derry City and Strabane will be "celebrating our heritage" which will bring together people from local schools, sports clubs and drama groups.

Newry and Downpatrick will have parades with street performers, community groups, dancers and pageantry.

BBC News NI has taken a look at some of what's on offer across Northern Ireland this year.

Belfast

A lively street parade with dancers wearing vibrant costumes. Some are dressed in red outfits with gold accents, while others wear purple and multicoloured costumes. Their skirts flare out as they spin, showcasing their energetic performance. The backdrop features a modern building with large windows and an audience watching the festivities.
The St Patrick's Day parade in Belfast in 2024

Belfast has been hosting events since the start of March, with a packed programme of cultural activities across the city leading up to St Patrick's Day.

The St Patrick's Day parade on Monday will start at 13:30 GMT.

Local dance troops, schools, community groups and musicians will weave their way from Belfast City Hall, through the city centre via Chichester Street, Victoria Street, High Street, Castle Place and Donegall Place, before returning to the city hall.

Belfast TradFest are hosting a four-day music festival until Monday.

Féile an Phobail is running a trad trail, with over 100 sessions in venues across the city. This is running until Monday.

Seachtain na Gaeilge, an annual festival promoting the Irish language and culture, has been hosting events since the beginning of the month.

Dearbhail Uí Bhiataigh from Seachtain na Gaeilge said: "The Irish language is flourishing throughout Belfast, and we want to create more opportunities to use and see the language in the heart of the city centre."

See the full list of Belfast events.

Lively group is gathered in front of a building with the sign 'ROBINSON & CLEAVER LTD.' The scene is vibrant, with people dressed in festive green attire and accessories like shamrock-themed headbands and glasses reflecting a celebration of St. Patrick's Day. In the background, the city street buzzes with activity, featuring other buildings and pedestrians.
There were large crowds out on the streets of Belfast for last year's St Patrick's Day parade

Londonderry

Two people in vibrant, mushroom-themed costumes participate in a parade. The first wears a large pink mushroom hat and a pink dress with iridescent sleeves, while the second person in the background dons a red mushroom hat with white spots and a multicolored dress. The street is lined with spectators, adding to the festive atmosphere.
Amy Carroll of the North West Carnival initiative at a St Patrick's Day parade Derry in 2024

The theme for Derry's St Patrick's Day programme incorporates forest, sky and sea as the city celebrates the arrival of brighter days ahead.

Activities are planned for Guildhall Square, the Craft Village, Waterloo Place and the Guildhall.

The St Patrick's Day parade will begin at 15:00 GMT, departing from the Bishop Street carpark.

Strabane's parade will begin at 14:00 GMT, leaving from Holy Cross College. It will pass through Bridge Street and Market Street, past Abercorn Square and along Railway Road, and finish at Dock Street.

Around 120 children from local schools will take part in this year's parade.

The city's Alley Theatre will run activities from 13:30 to 16:30 GMT, such as live music form Craic and face painting. Later in the evening, the Strabane Drama Festival will continue with the Whiteheaded Boy by Lennox Robinson, presented by the Bart Players.

See the full list of Derry and Strabane events.

Downpatrick

A bustling crowd, donned in festive green attire and hats, lines a city street to watch a vibrant St. Patrick's Day parade. Central to the scene is a float resembling a black steam locomotive, labeled 'St. Patrick's Express,' promoting the Downpatrick & County Down Railway. The parade route is flanked by various buildings, including shops like 'VOGUE' and 'O2.'
Large crowds at St Patrick's Day parade in Downpatrick in 2024

Downpatrick, reputedly the final resting place of St Patrick, will host a carnival parade with street performers, community groups and dancers.

The parade will leave from Downshire Estate at 13:30 GMT and is due to arrive in the town centre at 14:00 GMT.

There will be entertainment throughout the afternoon at the Grove and St Patrick's Square.

See the full list of Newry and Downpatrick events.

Armagh

In Armagh, thousands of visitors are expected for a week-long celebration, which began on Sunday, 9 March, with a lineup of music, art, theatre, and cultural experiences.

The city's parade, organised by the local community, will start at 13:00 GMT on Monday from the Christian Brother's School. It will finish at the Cathedral Road Recreation Centre.

A vigil walk will take place between St Patrick's Church of Ireland Cathedral and St Patrick's Roman Catholic Cathedral at 19:30 GMT on Sunday 16 March.

See the full list of Armagh events.

A colourful street parade featuring two individuals in the foreground playing traditional drums. One person holds a large dhol drum and wears a red kurta with a decorative vest, while the other plays a smaller hand drum and is dressed in a maroon kurta with a similar vest and a green-and-white jester-style hat. The vibrant setting shows a lively crowd in the background, many adorned in green accessories, suggesting a festive celebration.
St Patrick's Day parade in Belfast, 2009

Newry

In Newry, the St Patrick's Day parade will depart from Albert Basin at 13:00 GMT on Monday.

There will be events and attractions at Hill Street and McClelland Park, including free face painting and climbing walls.

In the Marcus and Margaret Squares, there will be live music and céili dancing.

Further details of Newry events can be found here.

Dungannon

There will be a free St Patrick's Day concert between 13:30 GMT and 16:30 GMT on Monday at the Hill of the O'Neill and Ranfurly House, Dungannon.

Irish trad and folk band The Muddlers Club will provide entertainment the crowds.

There will be face painting, amusements, arts and crafts and food vendors on site. No booking will be required.

Enniskillen

The Enniskillen St Patrick's Day parade will take place at 15:30 GMT on Monday, leaving from Enniskillen Castle. This year's theme is Jump 'n' Jive.

A free family fun day at the castle will play host to live entertainment acts starting, at 13:30 GMT.

On Sunday, an illuminated tractor and truck run will take place along the traditional parade route at 19:30 GMT, in aid of Stroke Warriors.

See the full list of Enniskillen events.

Omagh

Omagh's St Patrick's Day Parade will begin at 14:00 GMT from South West College. This year's theme is 'snakes alive', taking inspiration from the 2025 Lunar New Year of the snake.

There will be entertainment from 13:00 GMT, with music from Tis Not Easy and St Eugene's Brass and Reed Band.

A 'Ceili on the Cobbles' will take place at the Court House stage from 15:00 GMT, with live music from Pluck Savage.

Strule Arts Centre will host a variety of family-friendly activities including arts and crafts, storytelling, and face painting.

See the full list of Omagh events

Antrim and Newtownabbey

PA Media The image captures a lively parade scene with a crowded street of spectators. A float featuring a large circular structure with spikes and intricate patterns takes centre stage, accompanied by other colourful, tiered floats in bright hues. Performers in vibrant costumes stand on the floats, adding to the festive atmosphere. The crowd is dressed in celebratory attire, reflecting the excitement and community spirit of the event. In the background, there’s a mix of modern and older architecture, with a visible street sign reading 'VICTORIA STREET' on a brick building to the leftPA Media
Performers take part in the St Patrick's Day Parade in Belfast, 2024

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has an array of St Patrick's Day events on offer.

There will be an exhibition of historic Irish dancing costumes dating back to the 1940s at the Theatre at The Mill, running until 13 April. The exhibition will showcase the tradition and artistry of Irish dance and is free to visit.

A fun family day of live music, storytelling, and traditional Irish dancing and highland dancing will take place at Antrim Castle Gardens from 12:00 GMT to 16:00 GMT on Sunday.

To round off the celebrations, on the evening of St Patrick's Day, the Rapparees will take to the stage at Theatre at The Mill.

See the full list of Armagh events.

Lisburn

A St Patrick's Day celebration and tea dance will take place from 13:00 GMT to 16:00 GMT on Saturday in Market Square, Lisburn.

In the Irish Linen Centre and Lisburn Museum, there will be a free drop-in arts and crafts themed around the patron saint on Saturday and Monday from 09:30 GMT to 15:30 GMT.

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council has a full Seachtain Na Gaeilge programme which celebrates the Irish language leading up to St Patrick's Day. See here for more information.

Ballycastle

In Ballycastle, County Antrim, there will be activities for families and a St Patrick's Day parade on Monday.

The Market at the seafront opens from 11:30 GMT and will include a mix of artisans, makers, food producers and independent traders.

The St Patrick's Day parade will begin at 13:00 GMT with a walk to the seafront led by a piper.

Between 13:00 GMT and 16:00 GMT, there will be live music performances from local acts at the seafront stage.

Inside the Marine Hotel, there will be arts and crafts for families, including a quiet area and informal sports demonstrations.

Storytelling with Liz Weir will take place in the nearby bowling club at 14:00 GMT, 14:45 GMT and 15:30 GMT.

See the festival schedule here.

Elsewhere in Northern Ireland, a family friendly garden tour of Mount Stewart is being held by Ards and North Down Borough Council on Sunday.

It explores the stories behind the statues in the formal gardens, steeped in Irish and world mythology.

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council is hosting a mini St Patrick's Day festival in Limavady on Saturday, with details here.