Hopes fade for 2021 Saint Patrick’s Day parades in Derry & Donegal

As events continue to be cancelled and numbers are restricted due to Covid 19, it seems the popular parades in Inishowen will not run for a second year in succession.

Earlier this week, it was announced there will be no street parade in Dublin or Belfast on March 17 and instead, virtual events will take place.

Donegal County Councillor Nicholas Crossan, who is also chair of the Buncrana St Patrick’s Day Committee said it was ‘highly unlikely’ their parade will be taking place.

“Even if restrictions were lifted in some way, we couldn’t bring a big crowd of people together in a couple of months time. It’s disappointing, of course, but we have to keep people safe.”

Chair of the Moville St Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, Eamon McLaughlin, said he thinks the ‘decision has been made for us.’ ”It’s very unlikely at this stage and as usual, we’ll comply with all the regulations in place. Also, we haven’t been able to meet as a committee and these things take a lot of work. We’ll just have to redouble our efforts next year. It means a lot to people, but we all just have to do our bit in the national effort to help each other.”

In Derry, a Council spokesperson said that a report outlining options and plans for all Council events for the forthcoming year, including St Patrick’s Day, will come before members of the Council’s Business and Culture Committee in February for consideration.