St. Patrick will come to you
Belfast's Saint Patrick's Day celebrations have been reorganised in line with concerns over the current outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease. The carnival parade to the city centre, which attracted over 90,000 people last year, has been cancelled but a number of local venues have been agreed.
The Carnival committee has organised eleven focal points in local communities throughout Belfast where local people can gather to celebrate St. Patrick's Day without jeopardising current restrictions. The celebrations will be held between 1pm to 4pm on Saturday 17 March
In West Belfast, the venues are at the Westwood Centre, Poleglass Youth Centre, the Greater Clonard/ Colin area, Grosvenor Road and Whiterock/ Springhill. In the North celebrations will be held in the New Lodge, Ardoyne and Newington. Mountpottinger Road shops is the venue for East Belfast and the Markets Community Association and Shaftesbury recreation Centre for the South.
The Cavalcade with music and floats which will be coming around these areas on St. Patrick's Day between 10am to 6pm.
The organisers are urging all the groups who have made costumes and art pieces to go to their nearest point. ``There will be craic agus ceol at each event with a trophy for the most creative group,'' said Carnival Committee chairperson Catriona Ruane.
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