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Spanish St Pats!

The date March 17th is a special one, too, for the folk of Murcia, writes Tony Higgins - 02/03/10

All over the world St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated by the Irish Diaspora. But did you know of the special celebration held every year in Spain?

This celebration is not organised by Irish ex pats or descendents; it is celebrated by the local Spanish people.

Every year in the historic town of Lorca, southern Murcia, the local people celebrate the feast day of Ireland’s patron saint. This is to mark the anniversary of a key battle and victory against the Moors in 1452.

This battle took place on March 17 and St. Patrick was given credit for the victory. The town’s main church is dedicated to Saint Patrick, the only large church in Spain to be so.

Inside the very typically decorated baroque church, St. Patrick takes pride of place on the altar. Lorca itself is a characteristic Spanish town steeped in tradition and the people are proud of their links with St. Patrick.

Each year a civic event takes place which includes the unfurling or the Irish tricolour and the playing of the Irish National Anthem in the town’s main square.

The town also boasts two Irish bars, managed by Spaniards, and after the ceremonies, which includes a special mass at midday. The town’s people gather in these bars to enjoy few drinks to toast Ireland’s patron.

There are many historical links between Ireland and Spain that stretch back to the Flight of the Earls and beyond. Many Irish people fought in the Spanish Civil War, Frank Ryan and Eion O’Duffy being two notable names, albeit on opposite sides.

Lorca didn’t escape the tribulations of the war and in St. Patrick’s church there is the famous “Red Christ” statue. This statue survived the destruction of the church by the atheist communists and anarchists because of its red robe.

Legend has it that the statue was even given the honorary title Mayor of Lorca, by the leftists during the time that they occupied the town.

If you are interested in witnessing this unique event, the Region of Murcia is easy to get to.

Most low cost airlines fly into San Javier airport from all the major airports in Ireland and Britain. Lorca is also accessible from the coastal resorts around Murcia and the Southern Costa Blanca.

Pictured: The town of Lorca

More information can be obtained from the Lorca Tourist Office Tel: 0034 968 441 914 or Tony Higgins email: higgins_67@ymail.com or Tel: 08701 417 167.