LOCKDOWN restrictions could not stop the people of Luton marking St Patrick’s Day 2021.
Organisers at Luton Irish Forum (LIF) ensured it was a day to remember for everyone – with a host of activities taking place in honour of Ireland’s national day.
On the day itself 50 isolated members of the charity enjoyed a bacon and cabbage lunch which was donated and cooked by O’Shea’s Bar & Grill and delivered to their homes by the LIF team.
Later that day an online St Patrick’s quiz was held, opened by Therese Walsh, First Secretary for Economic and Trade Affairs at the Embassy of Ireland in London.
A whopping 120 people joined the live Zoom event, including both MPs for the town, Rachel Hopkins (Luton South) and Sarah Owen (Luton North).
Quizmaster for the event was Eddie Doherty (formerly of The Pines Hotel) whose unique hosting skills made for an evening full of fun and laughter.
In a final poignant nod to the day in hand, the LIF building was illuminated in green, courtesy of BT Events, the firm which usually does the staging, lighting and sound for the annual Luton St Patrick’s Festival.
Reflecting on the events, Liz O’Halloran, Chair of the Luton St Patrick’s planning committee, said: “St Patrick’s was certainly different this year, but we still managed to laugh and have the craic!”
“Hopefully we can go ahead with a festival next year and it will be even more special to make up for the last two,” she added.
The LIF is now appealing for anyone with photos or video footage of previous St Patrick’s Festivals, from the past 21 years, to get in touch and help build an archive that will be available for free online to viewers worldwide.
Contact LIF via 01582 720447 or email archive@lutonirishforum for further details.