St Patrick’s Day 2022: Events and activities across Northern Ireland this March 17

It was around this time, two years ago, that people across Northern Ireland were starting to hear more and more about the Covid-19 virus which was spreading across the world.

he first official case at NI was recorded on February 27, and soon after it was announced that St. Patrick’s Day events here would be canceled.

Now, with a slew of activities and festivities confirmed for the first time in three years, many councils and event organizers see March 17 this year as an occasion not only to commemorate the death of the patron saint of Ireland in the fifth century, but to celebrate a renewed sense of freedom and good news through NI.

The Belfast Telegraph has compiled a list of all the biggest gatherings and events across the six counties on the big day itself.

Tyrone Company

For those wishing to experience a truly traditional St. March 17 in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. .

Of course, everyone can also join in the fun and festivities of Strabane’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and there are many other similar events across the county, including music, face painting, Irish dancing and entertainment at Dungannon’s Hill of The O’Neill.

For something a little different, you can enjoy a visit to the Wild Atlantic Distillery in Castlederg for their Distillery Tour, where you can hear how they were inspired by the people and the landscape to create their famous gin , vodka and whiskey.

Co-Armagh

The city of Armagh, where St Patrick built his great stone church in 445 AD, making it the center of the church in Ireland, will host a special Home of Saint Patrick festival, which started on March 10 and will continue until Saturday, March 19. It will combine live music, comedy, art, poetry, theatre, cinema, dance, debate, history and adventure.

At 2.30pm on March 17, the Community St. Patrick’s Day Parade will begin – a celebration of Ireland’s patron saint, followed by an afternoon of family fun [with free admission] at Shambles Market until 5 p.m.

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Fancy a Big Paddy Paddle at the Morne Outdoor Festival? The Life Adventure Center invites people to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in a similar style to Patrick when he first arrived there – by canoe, SUP Board or kayak – the choice is yours!

This is a self-guided paddle around Castlewellan and tickets cost £29 per person which includes all your gear and assistance on the day.

You can also do something similar at Warrenpoint and start the day in style on the beautiful shoreline of Carlingford Lough with a Family Paddle from 9.30am to 11.30am or Paddy’s Day Paddle & Pints ​​from 12.30pm to 2.30pm.

The second session of the day follows a similar theme to the morning session, but is followed by drinks out of the water and is for adults only. See https://discovernorthernireland.com/ to find out how to purchase tickets for any of these activities.

Co-Antrim

The traditional St Patrick’s Day climb of Slemish will see thousands return for the first time since 2019, with outdoor entertainment in the village of Broughshane afterwards, including performances by lively Ragaire, the band Portglenone Comhaltas of 20 people, more traditional music and dance, street theatre, crafts and face painting.

Colin Glen Forest Park also goes green for the day with activities such as the Black Bull Run and Forest Flyover Zipline Sessions from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Plus there will be a bouncy castle, face painting, Irish dancing and a special Gruffalo and St Patrick’s Elf Hunt for the little ones, who can take home their own Julia Donaldson book, sticker and certificate. and Friends.

Visit colinglen.org/st-patricks-day-at-colin-glen/ online to reserve tickets for any of the day’s activities.

Co Londonderry

Derry City holds a Spring Carnival Parade on March 17 and aims to have over 500 participants.

Guildhall Square will be transformed into an incredible live spectacle with local entertainment and choirs, while Waterloo Place will be filled with traditional Irish musicians, dancers and local delicacies.

The Peace Garden on Foyle Street will be transformed into the Colorful Land of the Little People where children can make a wish on the fairy tree and dance until their feet hurt from 1pm to 6pm.

The Spring Carnival Parade will begin in Bishop Street from 3:00 p.m. with a mythical theme of ‘Rebirth and Renewal’.

Co Fermanagh

Enniskillen town center will come alive with street entertainment including top local talent with music from Roslea CCE with Blathnaid, Saoirse and Darragh Rooney, Irish dancers Aoife Rooney and Caitlin Flanagan, and Erne Highland’s Sophie Armstrong dancers.

Enniskillen Castle will also host an exciting program for the whole family with food vendors, market stalls, live music, balloon modeling and a craft fair.

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council confirmed the entertainment will continue into the evening ‘with so much to offer in the island city’s wonderful hospitality and entertainment venues on this global day of celebration’.

Belfast city center

With plenty of hype surrounding Belfast City Council’s 11-day celebration before the main events on March 17, there’s no shortage of things to do on St. Patrick’s Day itself.

Try the best-served pints of Guinness in town at Bittles on Upper Church Lane or at Whites Tavern, one of Belfast’s oldest taverns.

Kelly’s Cellars, built in 1720, is also one of the oldest pubs in town and will also be brimming with traditional music and great Guinness on D-Day. Another basically Irish themed pub to try is The Points, which will host an all-day block party on Dublin Road, which will feature 20 bands and DJs on six indoor stages with free entry.

Of course, that’ll have to wait until you catch this year’s new St. Patrick’s Day Parade by Beat Carnival – a colorful carnival spectacle of costume, music, dancing, circus and theatrical performances.

Watch Patrick roam the streets of Belfast with his giant dog, Spiorad-Spirit (spirit of adventure). He will don a giant, elegantly patchwork cape fashioned from expressions of people and groups across Belfast.

All sorts of individuals and community organizations in the parade will celebrate their role in the future: varied and different but strongly united by the instinct to move forward together — a cavalcade of carnival dancers, circus performers and musicians reminding us that we are all Patrick, we are all Belfast. The pageant parade will depart from City Hall at 1pm and travel along Donegall Place, through the High Street, Bridge Street, Waring Street and end on Donegall Street near Writers Square.