After a two year break, a number of St Patrick's Day celebrations are set to return throughout Northern Ireland in 2022.
It comes after the annual festivities were paused in 2020 and 2021 as a result of restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Celebrations are usually centred around a large parade in city and town centres with smaller events throughout the day, but many councils are planning a new approach for the year ahead.
Here are the details we know so far for St Patrick's Day celebrations throughout Northern Ireland in 2022.
Belfast
After a two year absence due to the pandemic, Belfast’s popular St Patrick’s Day event will make a welcome return next month – but this time with a re-imagined 11-day citywide celebration.
Belfast City Council awarded creative development funding to four organisations to deliver a new-look celebration that is fun and welcoming, and offers a creative line-up of family activity.
It will include a live concert, a St Patrick's Day carnival pageant, a trad music trail and a community showcase event.
For more information, click here.
Antrim and Newtownabbey
Antrim & Newtownabbey Council has no plans for celebrating St Patrick's Day this year.
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon
This year’s Home of St Patrick Festival runs from Monday March 10 until Saturday March 19, and combines live music, comedy art, poetry, theatre, film, dance and thought with great debate, adventure and lots of family fun.
Armagh’s iconic Market Place Theatre will play a big part in this year’s festival, hosting performances from big name comedy acts including Jason Bryne and up-and-coming cult comedy hero Owen Colgan.
Click here for more information.
Causway Coast and Glens
A number of events are happening in the Causeway Coast area in the week running up to St Patrick's Day this year.
The Family Music Session hosted by North Coast Trad - Portrush Yacht Club - March 10, 5pm - Free admission
The Seisiúin Clainne or Family music session provides opportunities for children and their parents to play traditional Irish music in a fun and relaxed community setting with guest appearances from world class performers of traditional Irish music. Just turn up at 5pm with your instrument and get ready to join in the craic!
Irish Music Session trails in Portrush – Ceol agus craic – music and fun , Friday March 11 - Portstewart and Portrush
With at least three professional musicians to lead the session, feel free to bring your instrument and get ready to join in with a performance of traditional tunes and enjoy a pint while learning about the instruments, language, customs and history that make up Ireland’s vibrant musical tradition. Choose from two trails in Portrush or Portstewart.
Portrush - Each trail lasts around two and a half hours and will take place at 5pm, Springhill Bar / 6pm Kiwis bar / 7pm in Portrush yacht club.
Portstewart - 5pm The Anchor Complex / 7pm Portstewart Arms
The Rise of the Ceili Band & The McCusker Ceili Band - Portrush Town Hall - Friday March 11, 3pm
Talk with performance on flute and piccolo with Martin Meehan MA
Free admission.
Weekend Wonders: St Patrick's Day Arts & Crafts Sessions for Kids at Flowerfield Arts Centre, Portstewart
Saturday March 5 & 1March 12: 10:30 - 12:00 for 5-7yrs
Saturday March 5 & 12 March 12: 13:00 - 14:30 for 8-12yrs
Cost: £17 (including materials)
Over two sessions, children will have the opportunity to experiment with a variety of different artistic materials, learn new creative techniques, have fun and develop their skills, before making their finished ‘product’. This St Patrick’s Day themed workshop will guide kids to create shamrocks and leprechaun hats.
Derry City and Strabane
A Spring Carnival Parade is set to take place in Derry City on the afternoon of March 17, and it aims to feature over 500 participants. The live show will transform the area in and around Guildhall Square into a vast canvas with animations, cutting-edge projection mapping, and a new score by composer Nitin Sawhney, performed by local choirs.
The parade will take place alongside a major outdoor event already confirmed for the city taking place over a week in mid-March.
‘About Us’ will see the city centre host a large-scale public event that takes audiences on a journey through 13.8 billion years of history from the Big Bang to the present day.
It explores the infinite ways in which we are connected to the universe, the natural world and one another.
The ‘About Us’ event would complement the Spring Carnival events, and would not affect the main parade route through the city centre.
Fermanagh and Omagh
Enniskillen
The small voluntary team behind Project St Patrick have decided to put on a ‘scaled back’ St Patrick’s Day parade this year - but only if there is enough interest.
If you are a member of a school, community group, sports or other club, band or even business manager, get in touch to help get the event going.
The parade will only go ahead with active community participation so send an expression of interest to feargalshannon1@yahoo.co.uk by Monday 31st January.
Omagh
Dún Uladh Cultural Heritage Centre, in partnership with Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, are delighted to be hosting the St Patrick's Day Festival Omagh 2022.
A family friendly day of music, dance, arts and entertainment is being planned between 12pm - 4pm in Omagh Town Centre.
The group are welcoming expressions of Interest from across the district from community, arts, sports, cultural, heritage, linguistic and other groups who are keen to take part in this year’s St. Patrick’s Festival in Omagh.
Please email expressions of interest to music@dunuladh.ie or call 02882242777 by Monday 31 January 2022
Lisburn and Castlereagh
Lisburn & Castlereagh Council has been contacted for details on their St Patrick's Day celebrations.
Mid and East Antrim
Mid and East Antrim Council will be marking St Patrick's Day with their annual trek up Slemish on March 17.
Those attending can enjoy spectacular views on the one and a half kilometre round walk to the summit and back which takes approximately one hour in good weather.
Broughshane Community Association will provide the hub of the event, with outdoor entertainment for the whole family to enjoy all free of charge. Plan to spend the entire day or join in the afternoon and finish with some fine local food or a family meal.
Mid Ulster
Plans for St Patrick's Day celebrations are still being discussed by Mid Ulster Council, with details to be provided in the next few weeks.
Newry, Mourne and Down
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is currently planning to host parades in Downpatrick and Newry for this year’s St Patrick’s Day.
Further details will be released in the next few weeks here.
Ards and North Down
Ards and North Down Council has no official events or celebrations planned for St Patrick's Day this year.
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