Saint Patrick’s Day in Montserrat
Montserrat observes Saint Patrick’s Day as a public holiday on March 17. The day joins the island’s Irish heritage with remembrance of the failed 1768 uprising against slavery.[1][2]
A public holiday under Montserrat law
The Public Holidays Act lists St. Patrick’s Day as an annual public holiday on March 17. It provides that public offices and banks close on public holidays. The Act allows shops to open on most public holidays, with exceptions for Good Friday, the Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.[1]
The Act also says that when a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the succeeding Monday is a public holiday. Visitors should check with individual businesses and service providers for their opening arrangements.[1]
Irish and African heritage
Montserrat’s commemoration has more than one historical strand. The Premier’s message describes the unsuccessful 1768 slave rebellion as an attempt by enslaved ancestors to resist oppression, and calls on residents to remember those who lost their lives. It also recognizes the Irish people who settled on the island in the 17th century.[2][3]
The festival is therefore both a celebration and a day of reflection. Montserrat’s tourism authority describes it as highlighting African and Irish heritage, and says the holiday commemorates the thwarted uprising.[2]
Festival events and food
Montserrat’s tourism authority describes a two-week festival culminating on March 17. Its listed activities include outdoor soca and reggae concerts, street parades, pub crawls, food fairs, land and sea tours, hikes, and a road race.[2]
The authority also describes a community Slave Feast on St. Patrick’s Day, with foods including ducana and saltfish, coconut dumplings, and sugar cakes. Steel-pan music and a street parade are part of its account of the day’s festivities.[4]
Practical arrangements
The legal closure rule specifically covers banks and public offices. Shops may generally open under the Act, so their hours can depend on each business. Check school and public transport timetables before you travel.[1]
Frequently asked questions
Is Saint Patrick’s Day a public holiday in Montserrat?
Yes. The Public Holidays Act lists St. Patrick’s Day as an annual public holiday on March 17.[1]
What happens when March 17 falls on a weekend?
The Act says the succeeding Monday is a public holiday when a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday.[1]
Are banks and public offices open?
The Act provides that banks and public offices close on public holidays.[1]
Are shops open?
The Act allows shops to open on most public holidays, with exceptions for Good Friday, the Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. Check directly with individual shops for their hours.[1]
Sources and references
Sources used for Saint Patrick's Day in Montserrat:
- Public Holidays Act- Government of Montserrat
- Festivals & Events- Montserrat Tourism Authority
- ST. PATRICK’S DAY MESSAGE BY PREMIER – HON. JOSEPH E. FARRELL- Government of Montserrat
- Four Festivals and a Volcano- Montserrat Tourism Authority