Song and dance in Solitude Park

THE first ever official St Patrick's Day celebrations in Banbridge drew crowds to the town in their thousands in what has been hailed a very successful event.

An estimated 4,650 people filled Solitude Park on March 17 and were serenaded by traditional music from both the Irish and Ulster-Scots traditions.

This year is the first time the council has organised an outdoor event to celebrate the public holiday in honour of Ireland’s patron saint.

The event showcased the most exciting, impressive and entertaining talents that the local area has to offer.

Council Chairman Elizabeth Ingram said, "It is wonderful to see so many local people from different areas and backgrounds coming together to celebrate our district’s rich cultural diversity.

Diversity makes for a richer society and the turnout at today’s event shows that Banbridge is a place where all cultures are mutually respected and celebrated. Next year, we hope to build on the success of this year’s event.”

Event organisers said the success of this year’s event may have had a little to do with the luck of the Irish.

“The good weather definitely helped draw people from all over the district to Banbridge to enjoy the event,” said a council spokesperson.

“The great range of traditional acts helped ensure the park was full to capacity.

“Like past events held in the park, the celebrations were equally as successful in terms of bringing communities together in order to build a sense of unity and promote a greater understanding of different cultures.”

Groups on show included “Eistigi Linn”, who won best overall group section in last year’s Buskfest, the Young Drums from Rathfriland, Closkelt Highland Dancers, the Curran School of Dance, and headline act “The Rooney’s” from Mayobridge.

There was a wide range of activities for young children on the day, including funfair rides, a bouncy castle, face-painting, balloon-modelling demonstrations and craft workshops.

The graffiti art zone, funded by the NIO’s Community Safety Unit, proved very popular with teenagers. As well as encouraging young people to engage with art in a positive way, it was also very effective in raising awareness about the damaging effect of graffiti on the environment.

This event was supported by the PEACE III Southern Partnership with funds provided by the EU’s Programme for Peace and Reconciliation.

For pictures from the St Patrick’s Day celebrations in Banbridge see pages 26-27.