Enniskillen is set to host a number of events to mark St Patrick’s Day for the first time in three years, although the annual parade will have to wait until 2023.
The celebrations have been planned between Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and Enniskillen BID with the help of local venues, and will feature a variety of music, dance and entertainment for all the family.
Council chair Errol Thompson said he was delighted to see events return for the town’s annual celebration, and thanked the local Project St Patrick committee for their efforts despite the fact their annual parade could not go ahead.
“I am delighted that for the first time since 2019, the St Patrick’s Day festivities are returning to the streets of Enniskillen,” Cllr Thompson said.
“ Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is committed to working in partnership with other key stakeholders to improve the quality of life of our residents and to provide the best possible experience for visitors to the district.
“Events such as the St Patrick’s Day festivities are key to realising this objective and I am confident that this year’s event will bring a fantastic atmosphere to Enniskillen town centre.
“I would like to put on record my deepest gratitude to Project St Patrick Committee and all the volunteers who invest so much time and effort into making St Patrick’s Day in Enniskillen such a memorable experience.
“Unfortunately given the short timeframe, they were unable to put a parade together for this year, but they have promised to be back next year and I would encourage everyone to start making preparations now for 2023.”
The organisers of the annual parade in Enniskillen said earlier this month the event will not go ahead this year.
The Project St Patrick committee said it had not been able to secure enough floats to perform at the parade due to uncertainty caused by Covid-19 restrictions.
Up to 15,000 people have attended the annual parade in recent years, but it has been cancelled for the third year in a row.
Enniskillen Castle will be hosting a programme for the whole family on the day however with food vendors, market stalls and live music throughout the day.
Town centre entertainment on the street will feature local talent with music from Roslea CCE featuring Blathnaid, Saoirse and Darragh Rooney, with other performers to be confirmed for the celebrations.
