Write a commentThe 2015 St. Patrick’s Day Festival in Newry has many many more events than ever and is gearing up to be the largest ever St Patrick's Festival in the city.
Events begin next Tuesday the 3rd of March and run right through till your shamrock is well and truly drowned on St Patrick's night.
This year’s festival has been jointly organised by Newry & Mourne District Council and Newry City Centre Management. The emphasis for this year’s celebrations is “Celebrating Friendships in the Community” ‘/ Ag Ceiliúradh Cairdis sa Phobal’ and the highlight of the entire festival will no doubt be the annual St Patrick's Day Parade at noon on the 17th March as well as an open air concert and sessions everywhere.
Speaking at the press launch Mayor Dáire Hughes stated that it gives him great pleasure to presents the 2015 progamme of events for the forthcoming St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and extends a warm and open invitation to everyone across the greater Newry & Mourne area to come along and be a part of a truly memorable family fun day out and celebrate our national Saints day in true Newry fashion. Mayor Hughes thanked the Quays Shopping & Leisure Centre and Bellini’s for sponsoring this year’s event and their continued contribution towards the celebrations.
The fun will commence with the St. Patrick’s Day parade at 12:00noon at the Quays Shopping & Leisure Centre travelling onto Buttercrane Quay, Francis Street, Patrick Street, Monaghan Street, Merchants Quay, Sugar Island, Kildare Street and finishing in heart of the Cathedral Quarter in Hill Street. (Vehicular floats dispersal along The Mall). The spectacular street parade is the focal part of the day’s celebrations and promises to have a true carnival atmosphere and a showcase event with something for everyone. The parade with be led by Mayor Dáire Hughes accompanied Autism Mum’s and followed by an array of amazing parade entertainment from a cavalcade of floats, walking participants, marching bands, stilt-walkers, balloon modelling, mix and mingle of street theatre, juggling and uni-cycling with abundance of cartoon characters.
The entertainment will continue to the main Events Space in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter in Hill Street. Compere Gene Fitzpatrick is one of the most sought-after comperes and after dinner speakers and is described as the ‘Man for all occasions’. Gene will ensure that all visitors on the day will leave their sides sore with laughter as he introduces various well know acts during the day.
OPEN AIR CONCERT: Events Space, Cathedral Quarter, Hill Street
The Nooks and their quirky adaptations of modern and not so modern rock and pop classics have become a talking point locally. With a distinctive American bluegrass twist, this energetic five piece is guaranteed to bring a unique blend of talent and charisma to our St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Aidan Quinn & The Ramblin Men
Aidan is following in his mothers successful footsteps leading a fresh line up of talented musicians under a revamped yet famous name “The Ramblin Men”.
Philomena Begley & Ray Lynam – The Simply Devine Tour
Known as the Queen of Irish Country music, Philomena Begley has made a firm imprint on the Irish, British and European markets. Philomena Begley has regularly toured with Ray Lynam since 1975 and they have recorded many duets together, their most popular songs being "My Elusive Dreams", "You're the one I can't live without" and “She sang the melody”. After the ‘Together Again’ tour proving to be a roaring success, the pair are back again with the unmissable ‘Simply Divine’ tour and we can’t wait to have the on stage for our St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations.
NEWRY VARIETY MARKET
This year Newry Variety will be a hive of activity with Autism Mums hosting the St. Patrick’s Day Market Fayre with entertainment commencing at
12:00noon – 1:00pm Warrenpoint Comhaltas, 1:00pm – 2:00pm Glen Millar Tribute Band, 2:00pm – 5:00pm traditional Street Céili with Raymond Carroll Fear a’Ti, There will be Face Painting, Cartoon Characters, Food Stalls and so much more.... All proceeds are in aid of Autism Mums. If you would like book a stall please contact: Alicia McKevitt – Email: aliciamc24@gmail.com
SEAN HOLLYWOOD ARTS CENTRE
The Sean Hollywood Arts Centre will be providing traditional music and children’s entertainment with food being served all day in Courtney’s Restaurant.
NEWRY AND MOURNE MUSEUM
The Museum has a varied programme of activities for all our patrons over this St. Patrick’s Weekend. Thursday 12th March at 7.30pm Charles Doherty, formerly of University College of Dublin, will give a talk titled “Saint Patrick – Man and Cult”. Tickets will cost £3. Sunday 15th March at 2pm the Museum will host an afternoon of music. Tickets will cost £3. Tuesday 17th March from 10am – 11.30am there will be a clay arts and crafts workshop. This will involve children making their own designs and pendants. Cost per child is £1.50. An adult must accompany children. Numbers are limited to 20 children and pre-booking of places is advisable. When you are here, why not visit the temporary exhibition ‘Local Impacts of the First World War ’.
If you wish to book or you require more information about these events please telephone 028 3031 3178 or email declan.carroll@newryandmourne.gov.uk
Newry and Mourne District Council Area: Bilingual Events During ‘Seachtain na Gaeilge 2015’ 1st March – 17th March
As part of Seachtain na Gaeilge 2015, taking place 1st – 17th March 2015, Newry & Mourne District Council’s Irish Language Unit is hosting fringe events for local Irish Language community and other Irish speakers.
Tuesday 3rd March at 7.30pm
Gaeláras Mhic Ardghail, Chapel Street, Newry
Lecture by Dónal Mac Giolla Choill: 'Growing Up in the Donegal Gaeltacht’
Thursday 5th March at 12.30pm
GRADAM an Iúir in the Bank Bar, Newry
Thursday 5th March at 7.30pm
Gaeláras Mhic Ardghail, Chapel Street, Newry
Lecture by Séamas Ó Donnghaile: ‘'An Beirneach Mór: Séamus Mór Mac Murchaidh’
Friday 6th March at 9.30pm
The Railway Bar, Monaghan Street, Newry
Social Night with Bothán and Friends
Monday 9th March at 12.30pm
Celebrating the Irish Language with Tomaí Ó Conghaile: Internal Event in The Council Chamber at Monaghan Row, Newry: Food, Quiz etc
Tuesday 10th March at 7.30pm
Gaeláras Mhic Ardghail, Chapel Street, Newry
Lecture by Doctor Gordon McCoy: ‘Gaelic Scotland, History, Culture & Language’
Wednesday 11th March
Bunscoil an Iúir, Kilmorey Street, Newry
Workshop for the Children of the Bunscoil with Doctors Siobhán Power & Vanessa Ryan 'Geology & Archaeolgy’
Thursday 12th March at 12noon
Newry and Mourne Museum, Castle Street, Newry
Launch of the Museum’s Irish Language Comic: ’I bhFad Siar ag Iarsmallann an Iúir agus Mhúrn’
Thursday 12th March at 7.30pm
Gaeláras Mhic Ardghail, Chapel Street, Newry
Lecture in Irish by Aodán Mac Poilín: ‘'Irish Family Names’
More information is available by contacting Irish Language Unit on T: 028 3031 3258
Wednesday 11th March at 11:30am
Interdenominational Ecumenical Service - As part of our St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations on behalf of Revered Canon Francis Brown and Reverend Kingsley Sutton the community is invited to attend ‘Interdenominational Ecumenical Service’ on in Newry Cathedral, Hill Street, Newry.
ST PATRICKS & ST MARYS PARISHES, NEWRY
Saturday 14th March 2:00pm – 4:00pm
St. Patrick's for all family Fun Day at Heather Park with an International Theme including: Bouncy Castle, Cage Football, Face Painting and so much more.
Sunday 15th March 11:30am
St. Patrick's Church - Special Event with McFee School of Irish Dance & Newry Community Choir
Tuesday 17th March 10:00am
St. Mary's Church (John Mitchel Place) St. Patrick's Day Service
For more information please contact: Rev Kingsley Sutton, Rector of St Patrick's & St Mary's Parishes, Newry T: 028 3026 2621 E: revsutton@gmail.com
Or follow on Facebook: St Patrick’s & St Mary’s Church of Ireland Newry
CULLENS FUNFAIR
Cullen’s Funfair will be located St. Christopher’s Park from Thursday 12th March to Tuesday 17th March.
STREET TRADING & CHARITY STALLS
Not forgetting there will be street trading and charity stalls on Hill Street selling all sorts of weird and wonderful goods.
CHILDREN’S FREE ENTERTAINTMENT
The streets of Newry City will undoubtedly be full of excited children at this year’s celebrations and there will be loads of on street entertaintment provided.
With the abundance of cafes, bars, restaurants, businesses up and down the Cathedral & Creamery Quarters will be in full swing providing fine food and evening entertainment, so you can relax, have a beverage or enjoy a meal and soak up the St. Patrick’s Day’s atmosphere.
Make sure to come and say "Hello Newry" - You won't be disappointed
Checkout the Cathedral Quarter and Creamery Quarter Facebook pages or say hello on Twitter: @Hello_Newry
