Events in Downpatrick during St Patrick’s Day
Down County Museum and Down Arts Centre will be filled with fun family activities for free this coming St Patrick’s Day Friday 17th March 2023.
Down Arts Centre plays host to local artists with craft demonstrations between 11:00 and 1:30 and 2:30-4:00.
Come along to admire copper etching, felt and St Brigid crosses as they’re made in front of you.
Then if your children are inspired to make their own memento of the day, children’s crafts are running 11:00 to 1:00 and 2:30 to 4:00.
Down County Museum is hosting a programme of music, dancing, crafts and history in our galleries.
We have music and dance from talented local performers from 11:30 to 12:30 and 3:00 to 4:30.
Children will also be able to get crafting between 11:00 – 1:30 and 2:30 – 4:00. The Museum galleries will also be open for a special Leprechaun’s treasure trail.
Street entertainers will be bringing some magic and mayhem to both sites, with performances at 12:30 and 3:00.
And if all the excitement gets too much, we are pleased to welcome visitors with additional needs to our sensory room in the Down County Museum, which will be fitted out with sensory play experiences, facilitated by dedicated staff.
All activities are free and drop-in, with no bookings required.
Everyone welcome!
Downpatrick Railway Free Trips
It is full steam ahead this St Patrick’s Day as Downpatrick Rail are running an afternoon of completely free trains on Friday 17th March.
As part of the wider celebrations in Downpatrick, they will be running steam trains from 12:00 to 16:30 from the station in Market Street out to Inch Abbey.
There is also storytelling from the Mourne Storytellers, along with musicians and traditional dancing to enjoy.
And you can even learn to make butter the old-fashioned way with Tumbling Paddy.
You can try out the butter on freshly-made soda bread, just like the monks did in the past. You will also learn the skill of making honey, with real bees in a real hive (safely behind glass!).
It’s only a short walk from the station to the Cistercian monastery of Inch Abbey, where you can explore the historic ruins – and imagine you are in Game of Thrones too!
The carriage gallery and museum will be open, where you can see everything from carriages and locomotives to old tickets and timetables.
Hot drinks and nibbles are on sale in the buffet train at Inch Abbey.
Advanced booking is not required but spaces will be allocated on a first come basis on the day. This event is being run with the generous support of Newry MOrne and Down District Council.
