Welcome To The

St Patrick’s Day Festival Coatbridge Website

2010

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IT’S OFFICIAL!!

Coatbridge Voted in World Top Ten of Global St Patrick’s Day Celebrations

“ COATBRIDGE’S annual St Patrick’s festival has been named in the world’s top 10 such celebrations.

Prestigious travel review website Trip Advisor has listed the local event at number eight in their assessment of the best international March 17 celebrations. “

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Scottish Parliament Celebrates Success of Coatbridge St Patrick’s Festival

THE success of the biggest-ever St Patrick’s Day festival in Coatbridge has been celebrated in the Scottish Parliament.

Local MSP Elaine Smith praised the 10-day event and the hard work of the organising committee in a debate on tourism at Holyrood.

The Coatbridge and Chryston representative tabled a motion celebrating the growth of the event from its beginnings eight years ago to this year’s extravaganza which attracted an estimated 17,000 people .

MSP Elaine Smith with the 2010 festival programme inside the Scottish Parliament

MSP Elaine Smith tables the motion with programme in hand in the debating chamber

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Highlights of This Year’s Festival

Huge crowds eagerly await the opening of the 2010 Festival

All generations are out in force to celebrate Coatbridge’s Irish Heritage

Michele McManus receives a gift of thanks from festival chairman, Tom Nolan.

Michelle assists with the balloon launch signaling the beginning of festival Saturday.

Michelle accompanied by her cousin sang Carrickfergus and The Wild Rover beautifully.

Writer and activist Eamonn McCann delivered a compelling lecture at St Patrick’s Hall

Local Historian Hugh O’Neill presents on the history of the Irish in Coatbridge

The Festival procession makes its way to the main stage for the official opening

The Coatbridge and Warrenpoint Comhaltas groups get together on stage

Almost 20,000 revelers packed Coatbridge town centre throughout the day

Celtic under 10’s collect their medals following a successful soccer tourney at Espieside Parks

The annual Gaelic challenge match at Espieside as usual was hotly contested.

The Irish Roots bibs prove to be popular with this trio

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AIRDRIE AND COATBRIDGE ADVERTISER’S REPORT ON THE FESTIVAL

24th March 2010

IRISH eyes were smiling after the huge success of Coatbridge’s eighth annual St Patrick’s Day street festival.

A record crowd saw local singer and television personality Michelle McManus conduct the opening ceremony, including a balloon release, before performing for the thousands of enthralled spectators.

The two stages on Main Street had plenty to entertain festival-goers and passing shoppers, with a dazzling array of bands, dancers, traditional Irish music and attractions for children.

It concluded 10 days of cultural events including music, drama, Gaelic football, visual arts events and a dinner dance which drew visitors from Ireland, England and even further afield.

Festival chairman Tom Nolan said: “We’re really pleased – there was a fantastic attendance at all of the events and I’d be very surprised if we hadn’t attracted more than last year’s crowd of 15,000.

“We were particularly pleased with the success of the photography exhibition at Summerlee, with lots of people also attending the accompanying talk; and the play Red Countess Green Crow was very well received.

“Saturday was a fantastic day; Michelle sang very well, there was a big crowd and there were lots for families and young people.

“Everyone seemed really appreciative and the local businesses were over the moon with the extra revenue generated, and we’re delighted as we received good support from businesses in the community.”

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Thanks again to everyone who in anyway supported the festival and assisted in making it an outstanding success.

The St Patrick’s Day Festival Coatbridge is a non profit making organisation. Its existence depends on a lot of hard work from committed volunteers and fundraising events which are held throughout the year. It also depends on the generosity of supportive sponsors. However, we are always looking for additional sponsorship to help sustain our efforts. Any interested parties should contact the festival website. The address is below.

If you have feedback or suggestions please contact our website by emailing us at contact@stpatricksdayfestivalcoatbridge.org

Or call 07742 008926

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The Festival shop which is open for two weeks during the festival.

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