Carnival Care Initiatives

Alcohol Free Event

The St Patrick’s Day parade is an Alcohol Free event and marshals will be in attendance to ensure that no alcohol is consumed in or around the public event.
Bye-laws are now in existence which means that Derry City Council can prosecute offending drinkers who are reported to them by the PSNI with the maximum fine on any occasion being up to £500.

Under the new bye-laws there is an increase in the number of designated streets and public places in the Derry City Council local government district where the consumption of alcohol is prohibited.  Derry City Council would ask people to be aware of this new law especially coming into the spring/ summer season when on-street drinking is more common.

Is this how your child will spend St Patrick’s Day?

The partners of the Derry Civic Alcohol Forum have agreed a joint campaign for St Patrick’s Day 2012.  The campaign theme focuses on the impact of alcohol misuse on children and families by asking parents to think about how their children will spend St Patrick’s Day and to take advantage of the family friendly and alcohol free activities on offer throughout the city.


St. Patrick’s Day is a great day of celebrations for all the family. For many years now, alcohol has played a central role in many St. Patrick's Day celebrations. Whilst we encourage everyone to enjoy themselves on the 17th March, we would like to remind you that you don’t have to drink excessively to have a good time especially if you want your children to have a good time too.

If you do decide to have a drink this St. Patrick’s Day, why not arrange childcare for later in the day after you have enjoyed the family friendly events together?
If you do decide to take your child to a pub:

• Ensure that you have only one or two alcoholic drinks if any;
• Find a quieter spot where you can keep an eye on your child at all times;