Debate contribution: St Patrick’s Day in Downpatrick

Debate contribution by Ms Diane Forsythe on 12 May 2026.

MLA

Ms Diane Forsythe

Party at the time

Democratic Unionist Party

Date

12 May 2026

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Adjournment

Heading

St Patrick’s Day in Downpatrick

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 5528786

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I thank Colin for the Adjournment debate. I declare at the outset that my dad is a councillor on Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. I always seek to promote my constituency of South Down and Northern Ireland as a whole, as, I know, the Minister for Communities does. His work on establishing historic links and research, as he has done with US250, is most welcome, and there is huge potential for so much more. I have long felt that the story of St Patrick has not had the attention that it deserves, and so much more could and should be done here. He is the patron saint of Ireland and the missionary who brought Christianity to Ireland, and his life, his teaching, his story and his faith have shaped this country and the people who live here today. St Patrick's cross is an integral part of our Union flag, and we should all be confident in learning about and understanding our history. Down Cathedral in Downpatrick is a spectacular place, and, in the graveyard, we have the grave of St Patrick. Throughout the year and regularly on St Patrick's Day, some of our DUP representatives hold modest services there in remembrance. Each St Patrick's Day, services are organised at Saul and Down Cathedral to mark the occasion. For me, that reverence is so important. We need to insert a little honesty about some of the events. Unfortunately, many St Patrick's Day events in the area are far from solemn or commemorative. Since I was a child, we have long kept out of the way of many of the activities. Over many years, the parade in Downpatrick was especially unwelcoming for those from a unionist background. The council-funded festivities were hostile for many years, with inappropriate stalls and activities. A lot of sectarian abuse went on, and some of our local councillors faced terrible slurs. Complaints were made repeatedly, but until we move forward from that and see the occasion as inclusive and have the confidence to work together on it, not all of us can promote it. Last year, it was good to see more bands of Ulster-Scots heritage in the Downpatrick and Belfast St Patrick's Day parades. That is a step in the right direction. I hope that such visibility at the heart of those parades will go some way to break down barriers and remove some of the hostility that lingers in our local community, but there is a long way to go. Colin spoke of the potential for more of the experience to be shared. That applies well beyond Downpatrick. In my community in the Mournes, through our local Ulster-Scots group, the Schomberg Society, we enjoy regular events about the history of St Patrick around that time of year. We have a stew night and some dancing and support the tradition of presenting a sprig of shamrock to local veterans, as led on the mainland by the Princess of Wales, the Colonel of the Irish Guards, setting off the traditions that we are all proud to watch. Newry, Mourne and Down District Council covers a huge area, and some of the local provision for tourism is disappointing. The council has dropped support for local attractions such as the Mourne Mountains, potentially losing the city deal money around the same, and cancelling things such as the Newcastle Festival of Flight. It is no surprise that the events in Downpatrick do not live up to their potential. Anything that the Minister can do would be welcome. As Cathy said, there is huge potential to be unlocked, and, if leadership could come from the Minister's Department or anywhere else, it would be so welcome. However, this is about more than communities; it is also about tourism and a boost for the local economy. A cross-section of work could be done to boost the experience for the people in Downpatrick. I support any work to promote St Patrick: Down Cathedral, the Saint Patrick Centre and St Patrick's Trail, which encompasses more of the story across Northern Ireland, reaching right down into Armagh. There is huge potential in our heritage. As Colin said, Downpatrick, as the county town, often fails to receive what it deserves. It fails to receive investment, promotion and recognition. We have an opportunity to do so much more. As others have said, there is huge potential to be unlocked, and, if we all work together with a collective vision, we could deliver so much more for Northern Ireland.

751 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Not flagged

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Assessed 21 October 2026 at 15:37 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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