St Patrick's Day is for everyone

A total of £65,000 is needed to fund this year's St Patrick's Day Carnival and organisers of the event are appealing to the public for support.

The theme of this year's Carnival is "Cathrom Agus Gaelach — Scleip Agus Craic," which translates to the English, "Irish And Equal — We Just Want To Have Fun," but Belfast City Council has repeatedly put the dampers on Irish fun in the city centre by denying the Carnival access to public funds for the past eight years in a row.

Undeterred, Carnival organisers are still intent on hosting what they believe will be the largest St Patrick's Day event to date and are asking local businesses, the community and volunteer sector and the public to support their efforts.

Speaking at the launch of the Carnival's fundraising drive, at the Cultúrlann in West Belfast on Wednesday 28 January, Chairperson Irene Sherry said there was widespread disappointment that Belfast City Council has again denied the people of Belfast the right to stage an event outside City Hall, "particularly after the success of last year - when we brought 20,000 people into the centre of Belfast".

With St Patrick's Day fast approaching, Carnival activists are under serious pressure to find the money required for a first-class celebration. Even Sherry admits time is running out.

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams, who was also in attendance at the fundraising appeal, echoed the Carnival Committee's call for support.

"It is about rights," Adams told the assembled crowd firmly. "It is about entitlements. It's a celebration of nationhood, of diversity, of whatever it is to be Irish. It isn't sectarian. It isn't party political. It isn't denominational — although of course in this city, it becomes political. So it has to be a campaigning issue.

"I would suggest that after we arrange this year's celebrations, we pull together and plan for next year, to ensure that the Council doesn't dodge its responsibilities again. If we campaign very actively and lobby every single Council member, we can make this an agenda issue."

"We have a lot of work ahead of us," says Sherry, "We need people to support us and get behind our efforts. Any help that individuals, the business sector or local communities can give will be greatly appreciated. Please come forward and contact us. Please support us publicly."