WITH St Patrick’s Day nearly upon us, the team at the Luton Irish Forum (LIF) are gearing up to enjoy a day to remember – despite the national lockdown restrictions.
While the usual St Patrick’s Festival cannot go ahead in Luton this year, there is plenty on offer to celebrate Ireland’s national day in the town this month.
Events have started already with locals posting LIF St Patrick’s Day cards to friends and family worldwide.
As of March 8, booklets packed with stories, puzzles and fun activities for all the family have been posted to LIF members and are also available online to download.
In preparation for dressing up on the big day the LIF team has been selling St Patrick’s themed children’s gifts, county caps and rosettes, along with other Irish novelties, through their website, with all proceeds going towards future Festival events.
And in a bid to raise further funds for the charity, LIF staff are taking on the Jerusalema challenge.
In line with the current social media trend, the challenge will see them perform a dance to the song Jerusalema, a gospel-influenced house song by South African producer Master KG and performed by singer-songwriter Nomcebo.
Money raised through that will go towards the charity’s plans to deliver bacon and cabbage lunches to some of their members on St Patrick’s Day.
A total of 50 of the charity’s most isolated members will be treated to the lunch – which wil be delivered to their homes for free - thanks to O’Shea’s Bar and Grill, who will cook it, and LIF staff and volunteers, who will be on delivery duty.
The final edit of the team’s Jerusalema performance will be published on the LIF social media feeds on March 17.
St Patrick’s Day will also see the charity host a new event, the Big St Patrick’s Day Quiz by Zoom, which has been specially designed for lockdown 2021.
Starting at 7.30pm, there will be “fun questions, plenty of chat, and a raffle”, the organisation explains.
“Make it extra special by dressing in your county colours (or green and gold!) and treating yourself to a bacon and cabbage dinner or Irish Snack Box delivered to your door (Luton addresses only),” they add.
Liz O’Halloran, Chair of St Patrick’s Festival Committee, explained: “These days we all need to have a good laugh, so find something green to wear and join our Big St Patrick’s Day Quiz.”
She added: Warm up your laughing muscles by watching the Luton-Irish St Patrick's Jerusalema challenge!”
The Big St Patrick’s Day Quiz is free to attend, but attendees must register here.
