Independent Chair of the North East Inner City Initiative Jim Gavin writes for Culture about a new partnership to celebrate the North East Inner City and its historic relationship with the St. Patrick's Festival.
St. Patrick's Festival is Ireland’s global celebration of Irish Arts, Culture and Heritage, something that Dublin's North East Inner City has no shortage of!
St. Patrick's Festival, Dublin City Council and the North East Inner City (NEIC) Initiative have worked together this year in a new partnership to celebrate the North East Inner City and its historic relationship with the St. Patrick’s Festival.
The NEIC Programme Implementation Board was established in 2017 to deliver the recommendations of the Kieran Mulvey report 'Creating a Brighter Future’.
At its core, the NEIC Initiative works towards making the North East Inner City a safe, attractive and vibrant living and working environment for the community and its families with opportunities for all to lead full lives.
In recent years, significant progress has been made on the social and economic regeneration of Dublin’s North East Inner City (NEIC) – an historic part of old Dublin extending from the Liffey to Busáras/Connolly Station to Croke Park, bordering parts of Dorset St, O'Connell St, which is home to approximately 20,000 people.
This year North-East Inner City Initiative, Dublin City Council and the St Patrick’s Festival have joined forces to create an pageant which is a co-production between the three organisations.
with Danni Downey (12) and Meadow Stanley Brennan (11)
of Arkins Dance and Stage Academy (Pic: Julien Behal)
We’ll have over 180 participants from the area putting their best foot forward on March 17th as the pageant celebrates the energy, resilience and talent that make up this great part of Dublin, shining a light of positivity over the story and power of the NEIC and the talent, strength, hope, diversity and joy in our community.
Over the course of the past few months, young people from our local schools and community groups have been working diligently on creating two floats which will follow the decorative Lord Mayor’s coach along the St Patrick’s Day parade route.
Excitement has been building across the NEIC as the young people and their teachers, coaches and youth workers have rehearsed their performances ensuring to create an energetic and invigorating experience for all on March 17th.
The first is based on the iconic Dublin landmark The Five Lamps, while the second is a boxing ring denoting the sport’s popularity in the area. The NEIC Initiative is proud to have these floats represent the local community on this very special day, creating positive memories for all and driving the common goal towards creating a brighter future for all in the capital's North East Inner City.
Find out more about this year's St. Patrick's Festival here.
