The clock on the Guildhall has been turned green for the St Patrick’s celebrations.
The highlight of Derry’s St Patrick’s celebrations takes place this afternoon with the staging of the eagerly-awaited Spring Carnival parade.
Thousands are expected to take to the city centre streets in “40 shades of green” for the parade which will feature a host of fabulous and fearsome creatures celebrating the theme “Music, Myth and Magic.”
The parade, featuring over 600 performers, will then make its way up Boating Club Lane before proceeding along the Strand Road.
It will then filter around the Harbour Square roundabout before returning to the car park via Queen’s Quay, where it is due to finish at 3.30pm.
Viewing is allowed along the entire route and an accessible, elevated viewing platform will be located opposite the City Hotel.
Anyone hoping to avail of the platform facility should arrive early to secure a place.
This year’s festival, organised by Derry City Council, was extended to a include a packed three day programme of music and entertainment for all the family, culminating with today’s parade.
The city centre will also be filled with music as the Trad Triangle continues with live traditional music being performed on outdoor stages in Waterloo Place, New Market Street and the Craft Village.
To accommodate the huge numbers expected in the city today, a number of traffic restrictions will be put in place to ensure people’s safety and to help minimise inconvenience.
The public are advised that there will be some disruption, and anyone travelling through the city centre should account for the possibility of some delays.
In the interests of safety there will be lane closures in operation along the Strand Road and Foyle Embankment in advance of the parade.
The Strand Road lane closure in front of the Council Offices will operate between 1.30pm and 4.30pm.
The Foyle Embankment lane closure, on the city bound approach to Water Street, will be operational from 2.20pm until 3.45pm approximately.
Members of REACH who warmed up for today’s parade by competing in Saturday’s St Patrick’s 5k at Gransha.
Strand Road, Harbour Square, Queen’s Quay, Whittaker Street and the Foyle Embankment, between Water Street and the City Hotel, will be closed to traffic during the parade between 2.30pm and 3.30pm.
Diversions will be in operation during these times.
There are currently no plans to restrict access over the Peace Bridge, however crowd movement over the bridge will be monitored, and if necessary controls will be introduced which may result in slight delays in crossing the bridge.
Minimal parking restrictions will be in force during the day. The DRD car park at Queen’s Quay has been closed and will reopen this evening.
Additional areas of prohibited parking will be indicated by police cones.
Car parking spaces will available in the area of the parade.
Foyleside Car Park East and West will open until 7.00pm and while Quayside Shopping Centre will remain open until 9.15pm.
DRD car parks available will include Victoria Market, Strand Road, Bishop Street, Society Street, Carlisle Road, William Street, Foyle Street, Foyle Road and Spencer Road.
There will be restricted access to parking at the rear of DRD’s Strand Road car park, which will be reserved for “Blue Badge” holders to enable vehicle bound persons to view the parade.
Where possible, the public are strongly advised to use the public transport system or to consider walking to the event.
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