In Montserrat, the Saint Patrick’s Festival highlights the island’s African and Irish heritage. It is a national holiday in the island which celebrates Montserrat’s history and is a Christian commemoration of the Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland.
Saint Patrick’s Day
Saint Patrick’s Day which is also known as the Feast of Saint Patrick, is a cultural and religious celebration that is held on the 17 March. The day is observed by the Catholic Church, the Anglican Church and the Lutheran.
The 17 March was the day that Saint Patrick passed away. St. Patrick was a missionary, Bishop and the patron saint of Ireland. The day of his death is officially used to commemorate Saint Patrick and the Irish culture and heritage.
Celebrations in the island are varied and usually include festivals, parades, Irish music sessions, dances and church services. Because there are no Lenten restrictions on this day, the Irish celebrate with elaborate feasts and by drinking alcohol.
The shamrock and the colour green are significant as well. It is believed that the Saint Patrick used the Shamrock to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity. Green has been associated with Ireland’s nationalism and a popular Irish fraternity.
History of Saint Patrick’s Festival
Montserrat’s nickname, “Emerald Isle of the Caribbean” is a nod to its settlement by Irish refugees. These refugees left St. Kitts and Nevis as a result of anti-Catholic violence and journeyed to the island for safety. Montserrat is the only island in the Caribbean that celebrates St. Patrick’s Day.
Saint Patrick’s Festival is a celebration that culminates on St. Patrick’s Day. In addition to its celebration of the Irish settlement, it is also representative of a failed slave uprising on the same day in 1768. St. Patrick’s Day was designated a holiday in 1985, and the festival began in 1995.
[showad block=30]Saint Patrick’s Festival 2017 Information
The 2017 Saint Patrick Festival in Montserrat will include several events. Discover Montserrat, a comprehensive guide to Montserrat, lists the 2017 festival events as follows:
Friday, March 10
- Market Day: Little Bay Market – 6:30 AM (Ministry of Agriculture)
- Opening Ceremony: Heritage Village, Salem – 7 PM (Feature Alliouagana Singers from the UK, Irish and BVI groups)
- Rhythm Night: Salem Centre, 8PM (Drums, masquerade, string band from Nevis) – Street Dance by Miger’s Bar
Saturday, March 11
- St. Patrick’s Hike: Scriber’s Adventure Tours, 6:00 PM
- Breakfast: Salem, 8:00 AM
- T-20 Cricket: Local and Diaspora teams
- St. Patrick’s Day Dinner: Cultural Centre – 7:00 PM (Nevis String Band)
- Soca vs Dancehall: To Be Announced
Sunday, March 12
- National Service: Lookout Catholic Church – Wear National Dress, 9:00 AM
- Family Fun Day: Little Bay Field, 12:30 PM (Music by local and visiting Iron Bands)
- Madras Fashion Explosion: Moose’s Place, Little Bay (Afternoon)
- Jr Calypso: 18th Anniversary, Salem Park, 8:00 PM
Monday, March 13
- Business Expo
- String Band Jam: Time Out Bar & Grill, Little Bay, 7:00 PM
Tuesday, March 14
- Business Expo
- St. Patrick’s Day Lecture: Cultural Centre, 6:00 PM
- Movie Expo: 7:00 PM
- Madrastique Fashion Show: National Trust, Salem, 7:30 PM
- String Band Jam: Salem Centre, 9:00 PM
Wednesday, March 15
- Miss St Patrick’s Cultural Pageant: Cultural Centre (Jr Choir, Black Rhythms and more…)
- Soca Dance Party: Moose’s Place, 11:00 PM
Thursday, March 16
- National Awareness Day: Dress in National Wear and Colours
- Arrow Tribute Regional Soca Monarch: Salem Park, 8:00 PM (feat. Onyan, Three Cylinders)
Friday, March 17
- Freedom Jump Up: 5:00 AM
- Freedom Run & Walk: From Cudjoe Head to MSS – 6:00 AM
- Breakfast: Salem Centre
- Heritage Feast: Salem Centre, noon
- Heritage Parade: 3:00 PM
- Cultural Show: Heritage Village, Salem 4:00 PM
- Grand Raffle Announcement of BMW: 0:00 PM
- Gold Rush feat. Jadine the Soca Diva and Destra: Salem Park, 11:00 PM
Evergreen Weekend – March 18, 19
- Unity Gospel Explosion: Cultural Centre, 7:00 PM (Saturday)
- Soca Party: Nanny’s Cafe 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM (Saturday)
- Alliougana Singers: To Be Announced
- Emerald Community Singers: Salem Old School, 7:00 PM (Sunday)
- Beach Lime: Little Bay, 2:00 PM (Sunday)
Plan Your Visit to Montserrat
Are you interested in visiting the Emerald Isle for this year’s Saint Patrick’s festival? Use this opportunity to connect with the island’s locals and gain fresh insight into the Irish presence on the island.
Montserrat Tourist Information
Discover the best of Montserrat at the Visitor Centre located at Little Bay. Get the latest insider advice on the island and collect your free map and guide.
Go to Visit Montserrat’s website for more information and purchase the Montserrat tour book for great travel ideas and tips.
Tours
There is no better way to see Monstserrat than to book an island tour with a recommended tour operator.
The Montserrat Tourism Division’s tour operator partners are:
- Namcas Enterprises
- Roosevelt Jemmotte (Email: jemmotter@candw.ms)
- RTT Travel & Tours
- Runaway Travel (Email: runaway@candw.ms)
- Scriber’s Adventure Tours
Support and Assistance
For additional support and assistance, contact the Montserrat Tourism Division and the Caribbean Tourism Organisation.