New route for Belfast’s St Patrick’s Day parade
ST Patrick’s Day celebrations in Belfast will snake along a new route this year through the city centre.
The colourful procession named ‘Global Belfast’ will leave from Royal Avenue, travelling along a new route through Castle Junction and along Donegall Place, before continuing around Belfast City Hall and returning along the same route to finish on Royal Avenue.
Last year, Belfast City Council initially sought approval to cancel the annual St Patrick’s day pop con- cert in Custom House Square due to health and safety concerns.
Despite the objections, a free concert headlined by former JLS member Aston Merrygold kicks off at 1.30pm and will run until 4pm.
Lord Mayor Nuala McAllister said: “I really can’t wait for this year’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations in Belfast, because I know that thousands of people of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities will be joining in the fun.”
Other performers taking part include the award-winning modern Irish dancing group Slide Step while urban artists Tanaka and JORD will inject a range of colourful influences ranging from R&B and AfroBeat to pop and folk to the concert.
Belfast-based Irish Festival Dancing School, Tir Na n-Og, which recently won the NI senior team title for a fifth year, will deliver a heart-stopping performance.
Festival favourites Pure Blarney’s, with their electro-acoustic folk rock, and local trad band the Rare Aul Stuff are also set to wow the thousands who are expected to attend the event.