St. Patrick’s Day Festival Omagh ‘In the Heart of Tyrone’ Sponsored by Arbour, Radius, Apex, and Alpha Housing Associations

Omagh is gearing up for an unforgettable St. Patrick’s Day celebration on Monday, 17 March 2025 from 1pm – 4pm.

St. Patrick’s Day Festival – ‘In the Heart of Tyrone’ Sponsored by Arbour, Radius, Apex, and Alpha Housing with the theme, “Snakes Alive ’25”, taking inspiration from the 2025 Luna New Year of the Snake and of course St Patrick, promises a lively family-friendly festival packed with music, dance, and community spirit.

Schedule

Monday, 17 March 2025
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Omagh Town Centre & Strule Arts Centre

1:00 PM – Entertainment begins

• Live music from ‘Tis Not Easy’ at Omagh Court House – setting the perfect festive atmosphere with lively Folk & Trad tunes.
• Newtownstewward Highland Dancers
• Lewsley School of Irish Dance
• Community Showcase at Danske Bank featuring Omagh’s much-loved St. Eugene’s Brass & Reed Band, welcoming the crowds with their signature sound.
• Followed by Urban Motion from 3pm
• Market at Old Market Place 1pm – 4pm
• Face Painting and Street Characters
• Jurassic Ark with live snakes and reptiles from 1pm – 4pm in the Connect Centre

2:00 PM – St. Patrick’s Day Carnival Parade

• The carnival parade snakes its way from South West College, along Drumragh Avenue, through the town centre, up around the Court House, John’s St, Church St, George’s St and back down High St turning left onto Bridge Street and returns to South West College.
• Enjoy marching bands, colourful floats, sporting organisations, performers, and community groups creatively bringing the “Snakes Alive ’25” theme to life.
• Hosted by DJ Stevie King from Radio Star Country.

3:00 PM – ‘Ceili on the Cobbles’ (Court House Stage)

• The fantastic ‘Pluck Savage’ will have everyone’s toes tapping and hands clapping.
• Enjoy traditional Irish Ceili dancing, featuring:
  • The Siege of Ennis
  • The Walls of Limerick
  • And more!

Strule Arts Centre

• 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Family Fun at Strule Arts Centre
• Celtic Sand Mandalas, Arts & crafts workshop
• Live Music, Singing, Ukulele group
• Storytelling
• Wellness in Rhythm Drumming Circles
• Crochet Demonstration by Together with Solace
• The Bulgarian Association NI  Exhibition – NI through our Eyes

Speaking about the event, Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor John McClaughry said,

“Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is committed to providing the best quality experience for residents and visitors and it is fantastic to have free events in Omagh, like the St. Patricks Day celebrations, available for all to enjoy.

I encourage local businesses, community groups, and individuals to get involved in this year’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, to showcase Omagh as a vibrant and welcoming town with a rich shared heritage.

On behalf of the council, I would like to extend thanks to the Department for Communities and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive ‘Housing for All’ Shared Housing Programme for their support for the event in Omagh which promises to be an inclusive and memorable celebration of culture, talent, and community spirit.”

Local businesses, schools, community groups, organisations, and individuals are invited to get involved and help make St. Patrick’s Day Omagh 2025 the best yet.

There are a number of ways to get involved:

Walk in the Parade: Join the procession and celebrate as part of a team, community group, or organisation.

Sponsor a Community Group: Support local groups by helping them create props, costumes, or a float. It’s a great way to promote your business while uplifting the community.

Showcase Your Business: Take advantage of this fantastic opportunity to promote your business by creating a float or display and joining the parade. This free platform allows you to increase your visibility and connect with thousands of spectators, highlighting your brand in a vibrant and engaging way.

Share Your Time: Whether it’s lending your artistic talents, volunteering your time, or providing resources, your contribution will help bring the festival to life.

The Shared Housing Programme had its origins in the NI Executive Together: Building a United Community Strategy, which reflected the Executive’s commitment to improving community relations and continuing the journey towards a more united and shared society.
Approximately £8.8m has been invested in the Woodside Avenue, Mountjoy Road, Woodbrook, Camowen Woods and Edenwood shared housing developments in Omagh and their associated five-year good relations plans. Apex, Arbour, Radius and Alpha Housing continue to work in partnership with local advisory group stakeholders and residents to develop and deliver a good relations plan for the area.

On behalf of the ‘Housing for All’ Omagh Advisory Group, Joanne Coyle (Arbour Housing) commented:

“Arbour, Apex, Radius and Alpha are delighted to support the annual St Patrick’s Day celebration. We work in partnership with local stakeholders to develop and deliver a good relations plan to encourage a range of outcomes including health and wellbeing, arts and culture, education, and training. This event aligns perfectly with wider plans to foster strong cohesive communities, while providing an enjoyable day for local families filled with music, entertainment, and activities.”