Paddy's Day To Be Celebrated

As Chipmunk's rap music headlines this year's multi-cultural St Patrick's Day concert in Belfast, Armagh is to be boosted with a half million pound Saint Patrick development.

For the fifth successive year, Belfast City Council has organised a spectacular carnival procession and free concert on Wednesday with a carnival procession, featuring hundreds of participants from all corners of Belfast, leaving the City Hall at 12 noon.

Lord Mayor Naomi Long said: "St Patrick's Day has become one of the undoubted highlights of Belfast City Council’s events calendar, and this year will see the event continue to grow.

"The council has worked extremely hard to make the event fully inclusive, so that it appeals to all sections of the community, and this work definitely has paid off, to make St Patrick's Day an occasion which can be enjoyed by all the people of Belfast, and visitors alike," said the Lord Mayor.

In a timely move in Armagh, the NI Tourism Minister Arlene Foster has announced a £500,000 funding boost for the St Patrick Signature Project.

The Project aims to bring to life the story of Saint Patrick and develop Christian heritage tourism in Armagh.

The three initiatives, which will receive funding through the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) Tourism Development Scheme include Dawson Street and Cathedral Road, Armagh County Museum and the Registry building.

"Visitors travel from all over the world to learn about Christian heritage and it is therefore important that we work to improve visitor attractions," the Minister said, pictured here looking over the plans for Dawson Street with NITB Director of Product Development, Siobhan McCauley and the Mayor of Armagh City and District Council, Councillor Thomas O'Hanlon.

The NITB Signature Projects were identified for their potential to stand out internationally and the Christian Heritage of Saint Patrick has the potential to attract many visitors to the Armagh/Down area.

"Armagh has long established links to Saint Patrick and this beautiful part of Northern Ireland has significant tourism potential. These improvements will help to create a world class experience for our visitors," she said, concluding that "our Christian heritage is dynamic and through projects such as this, bringing Saint Patrick's story to life, Northern Ireland can constantly evolve as a unique destination".

The NITB Tourism Development Scheme is contributing £195,000 towards the work on Dawson Street and Cathedral Road, which is the main walking trail between the two Saint Patrick's cathedrals.

A further £125,000 will be invested in enhancements at Armagh County Museum. This project will see the redesign of the entrance and ground floor, as well as the installation of new displays and exhibitions which will reflect the history, life, legacy and landscape of Saint Patrick's 'chosen city'.

In addition, the Tourism Development Scheme will contribute £181,459 towards restoration of the Registry. Dating back to 1772, when it was designed as a Diocesan Registry, the Registry originally held records for the Cathedral and Armagh Diocese, until their removal for safekeeping.

This project will see the building returned to its former condition. When complete it will become an interpretative centre and an introduction to Armagh Public Library.

(BMCC/GK)