Carnival atmosphere to return to Omagh town centre for St Patrick’s Day

A CARNIVAL atmosphere is expected to return to Omagh’s town centre this St Patrick’s Day for the first time in three years. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the traditional parade held in Omagh celebrating Ireland’s patron saint has been cancelled for two years running.

While organisers have decided against holding a parade once more, it is being replaced by a festival called ‘Music To Our Ears’, which will feature a host of local performers showcasing their talents at key locations around the town centre on Thursday, March 17. In what is expected to be a bumper week for the local hospitality industry, this year’s festivities coincide with a number of crucial matches for Tyrone’s GAA team.

Plans for the St Patrick’s Day Festival are still being finalised, but organisers are planning to close off the town centre to traffic on March 17.

They hope that the re-energised event will bring colour and cheer back to Omagh.

It comes as thousands of Dublin and Mayo GAA supporters prepare to arrive locally for National League Saturday night matches against Tyrone in Healy Park on March 12 and 19.

Speaking to the UH, Brendan McAleer from the Dun Uladh Heritage Centre, who are co-ordinating the event alongside Fermanagh and Omagh Council, said he hoped that the town centre would be animated into a space for people to enjoy the talent from groups, individuals and local organisations.

“We have a big programme of events prepared. Our aim is to maximise community involvement and get people to demonstrate and showcase their activities,” he said.

“Everything will be taking place in the town centre up to the Courthouse and on Bridge Street. It’s intended that this will be an enjoyable day out for families and communities. It will allow people to browse businesses and enjoy the attractions on offer.

“This is our first year to spearhead the organisation of the St Patrick’s Day Festival in conjunction with the council and there is a combination of both excitement and nerves.

“It has been a chance as we emerge from the coronavirus pandemic to look again at the festival and see how best we can engage the community and the town.”

Organisers are hoping that the planned St Patrick’s Day Festival will be a new and unique experience for the town.

Local hotels and bed and breakfasts have also been reporting a significant increase in bookings for the middle weekends in March, ahead of two important National League games between the All-Ireland champions, Tyrone, and both Dublin and Mayo.

Thousands of supporters are expected for both games and Colm Broderick, president of Omagh Chamber of Commerce, said there is a growing feelgood factor among both the hospitality and business sectors.

“We have seen in recent years how the visit of the Dublin team to Healy Park for major games has brought an important economic boost, and the indications are that both their supporters and those of Mayo will come in large numbers again next month,” he said.

“The past two years have not been easy ones for local businesses, who have done everything possible to remain open and adhered to all the restrictions. Now at last there is light at the end of the tunnel.

“Anyone that comes to our town in the next few months will be very welcome to sample the hospitality that we in Omagh have to offer.”

Omagh town Sinn Fein councillor, Barry McElduff, said the week of St Patrick’s Day would be a ‘fantastic celebration’ of Irish culture and games locally. “There will be thousands of people descending on Omagh for what promises to be an exciting week,” he said.

“It is a wonderful opportunity for local businesses to flourish, and adapt their offerings to the arrival of the Dublin supporters, the St Patrick’s Day event and then the big game against Mayo in a repeat of last year’s All-Ireland Final.

“Omagh will come alive and be the heartbeat of Tyrone and much further afield over a period of six days.

“It will be the biggest week for local businesses since before the pandemic.”