Luton St Patrick's Festival 2017

“Celebrating St Patrick’s Day in Luton is another opportunity to create greater understanding of Irish cultures that will go a long way in building on our good community cohesion in the town.”

Mayor of Luton - Cllr Tahir Khan

What we accomplished:

5,000 + attended St Patrick’s Parade Day

The Mall shopping centre reported a footfall of 8,100 at the indoor stage.

The Festival was organised by a team of 50 volunteers, 18 on the planning committee and 32 more on Parade Day.

The Festival showcased over 20 Irish music, song and dance acts from both sides of the Irish Sea and drew over 400 parade participants.

The audience was over 500 on St Patrick’s Day Celebration Day and over 5000 on St Patrick’s Parade Day including first second and third generation Irish and other communities. The footfall in Luton Mall (indoor stage) was 8,100.

Parade entries included the Luton Irish Forum Emerald and Bedfordshire University Pipe Bands, Dolphin Marching 16 Band, Promethidion Polish Children’s Group, St Dympna’s GAA, Scandalous carnival troupe, Leitrim Association, LIF Baby & Toddler Group and LIF Calligraphy Group, Scoil Rince Realta (Irish Dancing School), Race for Life, Polonia Polish group and our friends the Irish Network Stevenage.

We delivered a ‘Life of St Patrick’ story telling workshop to a school assembly of 270 children.

We were also asked to organise a St Patrick’s event for a local day centre attended by 50 adults with learning disabilities.

In addition to Irish Government Emigrant Support Programme and Luton Airport sponsorship, we attracted sponsorship from 33 other local businesses and groups.

“Polonia [Polish group] took part in St. Patrick’s Day Parade organised by Luton Irish Forum in the town centre. It was a great event, full of what we love about Ireland the most: music, dance, fun and friendly faces around... such events tell the true story of Luton.”

Festival goer

“Thanks for letting me play a small part in what was a great weekend of celebrating St Patricks Day and as usual the Luton Irish forum put on a fantastic display and show case of Irish cultural events both for the young and the young at heart that came out to enjoy the weekend, so thank you again, look forward to helping out again just give me a shout and I’ll do my best to be there, and well done to you and your staff for all you do.”

Volunteer steward

“I wish to place on record my thanks and appreciation for the very professionally organised St Patrick’s Day celebrations. Yourself and your committee deserve the highest praise. The whole day was a great success. The parade, entertainment, Jim Carway – really enjoyable. Well done to you all.”

Festival goer

“Thank you so much for the very kind donation to our dancing school, it is really appreciated. It was a lovely day, the dancers really enjoyed it and all went well.”

Participant

“The band really enjoyed the parade on Sunday. From our point of view, it looked like the event was well received with a good crowd and some great performances.”

Participant

“The Sean O’Riada Mass has to be one of my favourite parts of the St Patrick’s Festival – it reminds us about the true meaning of St Patrick’s Day, celebrating the feast in our native language.”

Luton Irish Forum Choir Coordinator

“Thank you for organising not just Sunday’s parade but also the activities that took place at the forum on
Friday [St Patrick’s day Celebration]. The events showed Irish culture at its best and it was great to see so many other communities share in the occasion. Personally, as an Irishman living in the UK the events gave me immense pride not just of my culture and where I come from but a direct connection to home and memories of taking part in St Patricks Day Parades when I was a boy. The Forum should be very proud of a wonderful weekend and I look forward to next year’s events.”

Festival goer