Belfast’s traditional St Patrick’s celebrations fall victim to crisis
BELFAST’S traditional St Patrick’s Day celebrations have been cancelled — the second consecutive year the events have been axed due to the Covid-19 crisis.
Belfast City Council confirmed the parade, which starts from the City Hall and normally attracts a crowd of thousands, as well as a concert, will not be going ahead on March 17 this year.
Doubt has also been cast over Armagh’s official celebrations, while Londonderry’s events — one of the biggest in Northern Ireland — are under review.
Meanwhile, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council said it is considering its plans for its St Patrick’s Day events, which are largely held in Downpatrick, in line with the current restrictions and ongoing response to the Covid crisis.
A Belfast City Council spokesperson explained there are plans under way to ensure the patron saint will be celebrated in some way.
“Belfast’s usual St Patrick’s Day Parade and concert will not be going ahead this year due to the ongoing pandemic,” they told the Belfast Telegraph.
“Members of Belfast City Council have agreed to develop an alternative programme of activity to mark St Patrick’s Day. The delivery and format of these events is being kept under review and will be dependent on the ongoing pandemic and any restrictions that may be in place at that time.”
Last year global dance act Cascada — known for their 2009 hit ‘Evacuate the Dancefloor’ — had been booked to headline the free gig at Custom House Square before concerns over the spread of Covid resulted in it being pulled at the last minute.
Similar events across the island of Ireland — including Dublin’s parade which attracts 500,000 visitors — were also cancelled.
SDLP councillor Brian Heading said an upcoming meeting would give members the opportunity to shape future events post-pandemic.
“The council should be looking at all its upcoming cultural events, on the grounds that people need to have confidence to be able to go events. And that level of confidence may not be there, certainly this year,” he said.
“It may not even be there next year. So there’s an opportunity here to see how the council will mark cultural events that the community can get involved in.”
Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council said it is likely its St Patrick’s Day celebrations will go online instead.
A spokesperson explained: “Plans for the home of St Patrick’s Festival are still being finalised, with a view to delivering an engaging programme of events online.
“The delivery plans for the festival are being kept under continual review in line with public health guidance, and if circumstances allow additional location based activities may be considered in due course.”
A Derry City and Strabane District Council spokesperson said a report outlining options and plans for events for the forthcoming year, including St Patrick’s Day, will come before its business and culture committee next month for consideration.
“Officers are proactively working with a range of partners to look at various options to facilitate events continuing this year,” they said.
“Any proposals will include measures to ensure compliance with whatever government restrictions that may be in place.”
Senior health officials have warned it will be many months before life returns to normal — despite the roll-out of a vaccine.