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Failte- Welcome

Welcome everyone to Luton’s 9th Annual St Patrick’s Festival/Parade. A special welcome to the Mayor of Luton Cllr Norris Bullock, Margaret Moran MP, Kelvin Hopkins MP, Lord Bill McKenzie and First Secretary from the Irish Embassy.

This years Festival takes place from the 14th to the 18th March. The Festival commences at St Joseph’s, Gardenia Avenue on Friday 14th with the Sean O’Riada sung Mass followed by an evening of music, song and dance.

The Parade takes place on Saturday 15th March when the Town will come alive with music, song, dance showcasing Irish culture and entertainment. This years Parade will be lead by the award winning University of Bedfordshire Pipe Band. We welcome back the Harpenden Pipe Band the Highfield Carnival Club from Hemel Hempstead, Majorettes, The Gaelic Athletic Association, Comholtas the Mad Hatters Circus Stilt Walkers and many more.

As you will see from the programme this years Festival is packed with a variety of events covering the 5 days. I would like to thank all those who took part in the county character workshop look out for your county character in the parade.
The Luton Irish Forum organise the Festival working with Luton Borough Council, the Beds Police, the Arndale Centre, the Library theatre, the County Associations, the Parish Centres, Comholtas Ceoltoiri Eireann and the G.A.A., Local Schools.

A special thanks to all out sponsors local, national, and international business that helped finance this years Festival. My sincere thanks to the hardworking volunteers who assist each year, the stewards and the St Patrick’s Festival Committee for all their hard work and giving their time free to make this event special for Luton.

We hope the community as a whole will come along and enjoy the different events taking place throughout the long weekend. Slainte have a great Festival and happy St Patrick’s Day to each and every one of you.

Michael Maguire
St Patrick’s Festival Chair.