St. Patrick's Festival to sham-ROCK town

Wednesday 02 February 2022

The Parish of St. Helier is promising to bring the luck of the Irish to Jersey this March, with a four-day St. Patrick’s Festival.

Events will include a large marquee in Parade Gardens, Gaelic football, a screening of the Ireland Six Nations match, Irish dancing, and Irish food and drink, as well as a parade through St. Helier.

The event will take place from Thursday 17 to Sunday 20 March, with further details due to be released.

"The Parish of Saint Helier recognises the enormous contribution that has been made to the Irish community in Jersey by the Jersey Irish Society, which has supported the community of Irish people living and working in Jersey and those islanders who have Irish ancestry by organising a mass on Saint Patrick's Day every year, followed by a celebration in the Town Hall," Constable Simon Crowcroft explained.

"This year, the Parish is delighted to be complementing the work done by the Jersey Irish Society by holding a festival in Parade Gardens. This location is where the Irish festival used to take place many years ago and, as Constable, I am delighted that this annual tradition is being restarted."

Pictured: Constable Simon Crowcroft said he was "delighted" the annual tradition was being restarted.

He continued: "We are looking forward to seeing many events taking place in and around the Parish, particularly the start of a parade through town involving Irish dancers and musicians. While this may not rival the procession that takes place in cities such as New York, it's good that we are going to see the beginning of a Saint Patrick's Day parade in St. Helier this year."

Town Centre and Events Manager Connor Burgher added: "I'm delighted to be able to put on the Parish's first major free event of 2022 and am incredibly grateful to the many members of the Jersey Irish community, the Jersey Irish Society, the Cannon O'Rafferty School of Dancing and the many others who have helped us form our plans for this St. Patrick's Festival 2022.

"This is the first of a jam-packed summer of events in St Helier, and it's great to be kicking off with a brand new one."