Rage over St. Patrick's Day 'ghost town'

Mario Ledwith • Published 11 Mar 2010 10:34 0 Comments

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St. Patrick's Day celebrations in Omagh.

The people of Fermanagh are bracing themselves for a St. Patrick's Day exodus once again as Enniskillen finds itself without a major event for yet another year.

It's been four years since the county town last played host to a mass celebration, with a distinct lack of activity since. Indeed it would appear that the task of organising such an event has become something of a poisoned chalice. Following public criticism, Fermanagh District Council has repeatedly offered to support an interested party, yet the offer has yet to be accepted.

Despite what appears like a lack of public enthusiasm, opinion has continually raged on the issue; a fact bolstered by the creation of an unofficial website last week. The Facebook group, 'What About a St. Paddy's Day Party/Parade in Enniskillen?' allows people to air their desires for a future event in Enniskillen.

Benny Cassidy, creator of the group, spoke to The Impartial Reporter about the motivations behind his project.

"The way I'm looking at it is that every other County town has something on and Enniskillen has nothing," said Cassidy. "It's such a grey town. I go into Enniskillen nearly every day and it's like a ghost town. People want something different and something interesting. I go to different events with my work and you come across some really engaging events. In Enniskillen there's nothing like that, just failed opportunities. The children of Enniskillen have seen nothing at the minute."

Created only last Wednesday, the group has already gathered 600 members and has delighted Cassidy with its cross-community and international composition. The volume of support has also surprised the Enniskillen man who believes it's important the site is used as a medium to reignite St. Patrick's Day activity in the town.

"I want to coax ideas out of people and to use this as a measuring tool. I'd rather do it that way than to grope about in the dark," stated Cassidy, before revealing his intention of revealing the group to the council. "I intend taking it to the council and using it to help us move forward; to show people are interested. I'm relying on people to give me the ammunition at the minute - these aren't my ideas. The response though shows that people are hungry for this."

Much of the frustration regarding the lack of festivities in Enniskillen is borne from the success of previous events. From 2003 to 2006 the town hosted an annual St. Patrick's Day parade that became widely regarded as one of the best in the country. The events, organised by the group Project Saint Patrick, culminated in expansive cross-community parades, drawing an estimated 30,000 spectators in their final year. The sudden end to the parades surprised many people, but chief organiser, Paul Murphy explained that a lack of support was behind the termination.

"There were two main reasons. Firstly, there was a lack of interest from people in terms of helping out. Secondly, we lacked any organisational support and financial support," lamented Mr. Murphy. "It was the biggest cross-community event in the north for two years, maybe three. What amazed us is that it wasn't just Catholics and Protestants mixing; there were people from the south, people had come from Belfast; there were English people. I even came across a few Chinese people who'd come down from Belfast for it. If it was still going what would it be like now?"

Mr. Murphy's passion for the events drips from his every word, yet he believes the infrastructure was never put in place to sustain the parade.

"One year we asked for a minimum donation of a tenner from local businesses. Three pubs in town gave us a tenner," laughed the ex-organiser. "I mean it was a major boost to some businesses between Christmas and summer when there's usually a lull - especially for smaller businesses. And all that money's now going across the Border."

Fermanagh District Council also came in for criticism from Murphy. The Enniskillen man said constant organisational hurdles and lacklustre support from the Council made his task significantly harder; believing they've done little to remedy the scenario since.

"At one stage the council suggested we have a councillor from each party on a committee and I said no. I knew it would turn into political football. It's not about that, it's about doing something for the kids and at the minute there's nothing," he said. "You have the fireworks at the Forum now. There's no integration between people and it lasts thirty minutes. Does it justify that money? There's no financial benefit to the town as shops are shut and it's hardly cross-community as there's no dialogue. Our event was totally cross-community."

Questioned over allegations Fermanagh District Council weren't always fully supportive of a St. Patrick's Day parade, Robert Gibson, Director of Leisure, Tourism and Arts said: "I certainly wasn't aware of this. The Council's instruction to me is to gauge support for a St. Patrick's Day festival and to support it, and that's what I intend to do."

Some parties have called for the organisation of the event to be wholly organised by the Council in a similar approach to Armagh City and District Council's festival. Asked if he would welcome such an approach Gibson stated, "The Council's position at the moment is that they wish to work in partnership with committees. That may change, but at the minute we operate in a supportive role."

Much public criticism has been channelled towards the Council over the current scenario. The aforementioned Facebook group contains numerous remarks about the Council's inactivity. One member commented, 'This town and Council are more concerned about spending thousands on pretty flowerbeds for the tourists to go "Ahhh aren't they lovely!"' The Council did though organise a public meeting regarding St. Patrick's Day activities in 2007, yet only two people appeared. Some have suggested this is indicative of a general lack of faith in the council. "I don't think so," said Mr. Gibson. "We've had discussions with some people interested. I believe there is an opportunity and that in the future there will be a parade and the Council would support it."

A bitter row has also ensued regarding the lack of a St. Patrick's Day parade following councillors' criticisms last week over Enniskillen businesses not contributing to the funding of Christmas lights. The Impartial Reporter spoke to several businesses that currently refuse to pay the fees.

"It's preposterous for them to say we're acting in the wrong, what do they do for us? When the St. Patrick's Day parade was running, the town was booming for the whole day. That's what we need to survive, not a bloody arts exhibition in the Clinton Centre!" blasted one main street manager, who wished to remain unnamed.

"The Council stick their name on events other people have organised, but that's hardly self-generating. They do nothing to keep people in Enniskillen apart from rubber stamp other peoples' work. They recently threw £250,000 at a private investor in the airport - hardly a great help when small businesses are struggling to survive from week to week!"

Another main street trader said he had repeatedly tried to get information from the Council on what they had spent on advertising in order to promote local trade during the recession, but didn't receive an answer.

"Something like a St. Patrick's Day festival would be great for the town. At the minute we have nothing. There's a firework display but nothing during the day before it and so no commercial benefit. That should be turned into an all-day event. It's ok relying on Tesco and Asda, but once the Euro drops, Enniskillen is a dead town, because that's the only thing keeping us afloat. The Council have to realise that."

Mr. Gibson was quick to defend the position of the Council saying that if people in the business community have ideas they should come forward to the Council with them. He also mentioned projects they were working on to commercially improve the town, including the much-criticised DRD masterplan for Eden Street car park. The Director also revealed ongoing discussions with Destination Fermanagh to "develop two or three big festivals," but followed, "To get major events you are talking about major money."

Regarding St. Patrick's Day, Mr. Gibson reiterated that there were smaller events taking place in Cavanacarragh and Belleek that should be supported, as well as activities in the Enniskillen Museum.

Twenty seven miles away, the streets of Omagh will be buzzing having filled the void left by Enniskillen's parade. However, with growing unrest and public outcry escalating, it's hoped Enniskillen may become a haven for St. Patrick's Day celebrations once again. Here's to next year.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 11 Mar 10

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