St Patrick’s Day preparations are in full swing for the Strabane 2023 celebrations

Excitement is in the air as the final preparations get underway for the Strabane St Patrick’s Day 2023 Spring Carnival celebrations.

With plenty to see and do for all the family throughout the day, the celebrations will include the annual parade at 2pm. Kicking off from Holy Cross College, the all-singing all-dancing parade will make its way through Melmount Road, Bridge Street, Market Street, Abercorn Square, Railway Road and finish in Dock Street.

The Alley Theatre will host activities with guaranteed craic for all the family. The public can enjoy live traditional music from Seisiém –béim ar an óige and cultural activities, children’s arts & crafts and refreshments from 1:30pm until 4:30pm.

Strabane Town Centre will be a hive of activity in the coming weeks as 130 children from four local schools put their artistic skills to the test and create amazing props and costumes for the special occasion.

Dedicated workshops are to be delivered from Monday 27th February until Friday 3rd March in St Catherine’s Primary School, Holy Cross College, Sion Mills Primary School and Gaelscoil Uí Dhochartaigh. Facilitated by Streetwise Community Circus, the young people will receive expert guidance to create props, costumes, and floats for the parade.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Sandra Duffy, welcomed the return of the Strabane celebrations and encouraged everyone to get involved in the family-friendly celebrations.

“St Patrick’s Day is one of the biggest celebrations of the year in Strabane and I’m sure thousands of people will come out to sample the sights and sounds as the parade makes a huge return.

“I would like to say a huge well done to the entire community, as the celebrations in Strabane never fail to disappoint. It brings the town to life, and it is fantastic to see the excitement in all the community groups involved.” she said.

The festivities are a real community effort with local businesses and organisations working with Council’s Festival and Events team to bring a diverse programme that will appeal to all ages.

Festival Coordinator, Ashleigh Devine, said, “It’s a fantastic day out for everyone, young and old. Cullen’s Fun Fair will be back in town, there will be live music in The Alley all afternoon, as well as the incredible parade kicking off at 2pm.

“The day will finish off with the launch of the brilliant Strabane Drama Festival’s fast paced play, ‘When Elephants Collide’ by Edward Flannagan, presented by Lifford Players Drama Group. The Strabane Drama Festival will run from St Patrick’s Day until Saturday 25th March with lots of fantastic shows for everyone to enjoy.”

Full details of the Strabane St Patrick’s Day celebrations can be found at www.derrystrabane.com/stpatricksdaystrabane

Full traffic and travel arrangements will be issues ahead of the event.