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ARCHIVED - March 17 to 19 Lorca celebrates Saint Patrick's Day in a show of unity with Ireland

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Guided tours and plenty of craic as Lorca dons the green of Ireland in celebration of its past

ARCHIVED - March 17 to 19 Lorca celebrates Saint Patrick's Day in a show of unity with Ireland On 17th March 1452 a very important and historic battle took place in what is now the municipality of Lorca: the Battle of Alporchones, in which Christian troops fought against Muslims. This historical event was remembered and some years later the inhabitants of Lorca chose the name of the Patron Saint of Ireland for the most important church in the city.

Nowadays, together with the Dublin and New York Cathedrals, the magnificent Ex-Collegiata de San Patricio in Lorca is the third biggest church in the world dedicated to Saint Patrick, and the city of Lorca celebrates the feast day of the Saint more fervently than anywhere else in Spain.

ARCHIVED - March 17 to 19 Lorca celebrates Saint Patrick's Day in a show of unity with Ireland This year a series of special events are being held to commemorate the date, including the following:

Friday March 17

10.00 and 11.00: Free guided visits to the tower of the church of San Patricio. Prior booking is a necessity and can be completed online here.

11.00: Holy Mass in the Ex-Colegiata de San Patricio.

12.00: The hoisting of the Irish flag in the Plaza de España.

12.30: Free guided visit to the tower of the church of San Patricio. Prior booking is a necessity and can be completed online here.

16.00: Live stream tour of the church of San Patricio: see Facebook link here.

17.00: Open-air bars and food truck in the Plaza de España.

17.00: St Patrick’s Day parade accompanied by the Town Band of Lorca in Calle Alporchones, Calle Corredera, Calle Álamo and Plaza de España.

17.00 to 20.00: Children’s play area in the Plaza de España.

19.30: A prize-giving ceremony in the Ex-Colegiata de San Patricio.

19.30: Language exchange meeting in Pub Phelans.

20.00: The Ex-Colegiata de San Patricio is to be illuminated in green to celebrate the occasion.

21.00: Live music from Los Lagartos in the Plaza de España.

Saturday March 18

ARCHIVED - March 17 to 19 Lorca celebrates Saint Patrick's Day in a show of unity with Ireland 11.30: Holy Mass in English in the Ex-Colegiata de San Patricio.

12.00 to 20.00: Children’s play area in the Plaza de España.

12.00: Open-air bars and food truck in the Plaza de España.

12.30: Guided visit to the church and tower of San Patricio. Prior booking is a necessity and can be completed online here. Prices 7 to 14 euros.

17.00: Free guided tour of the old city centre of Lorca. Prior booking is a necessity and can be completed online here.

18.00: Holy Mass in Spanish in the Ex-Colegiata de San Patricio.

18.00: Whiskey tasting in Pub Confitería.

19.00 to 21.00: Charanga, musical fun in the Plaza de España.

20.00: The Ex-Colegiata de San Patricio is to be illuminated in green to celebrate the occasion.

21.00: Live music from New Wave 80’s-90’s in the Plaza de España.

Midnight: Whiskey tasting in Pub Plaza Cool Beat.

It should also be remembered that there is a special local shopping promotion in the city of Lorca until March 18, with a prize draw for a trip to Dublin. Vouchers should be deposited in the boxes provided in the Plaza de España on March 17 and 18 between 17.00 and 18.00.

In addition, Lorca castle is adopting special opening hours on March 17, 18 and 19 between 11.00 and 18.00, with a package available to visit three areas of the Fortress of the Sun complete with audio guide in English or Spanish and a special menu at the Restaurante Las Caballerizas del Castillo with free beer!

For more local events, news and visiting information go to the home page of Lorca Today.

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Oficina de Turismo de Lorca

Lorca Tourist Office

The rich and extensive history of Lorca has left a legacy of archaeological sites and historic buildings around which the modern city has built its tourism industry. Amongst these are Lorca Castle, Plaza de España, the former Collegiate church of San Patricio, the municipal archaeological museum, the Casa Huerto Ruano, the Palacio de Guevara and the churches and convents of San Francisco, San Mateo, the Virgen de las Huertas, La Merced, El Carmen and many others.

Unfortunately, Lorca has been prone to natural disaster, suffering a severe flood in 1973 which killed 50 people, and a Gota Fría on September 28^th 2012, as well as a series of earthquakes, the most recent of which was 5.3 on the Richter scale on 11^th May 2011 and claimed 9 lives.

Lorca Tourist Office Lorca also has an area of unspoilt coastline incorporating the Parque Regional de Cabo Cope - Puntas de Calnegre, which includes the beaches of Puntas de Calnegre, Cala Calnegre and various others. Although only one is accessible by road others can be reached along dirt tracks!

In terms of fiestas, Lorca is synonymous with Easter (Semana Santa), its biblical parades of International Tourist Interest status being famous throughout Spain. The week includes a series of parades in which the whites (Paso Blanco) and blues (Paso Azul) try to outdo each other with the magnificence of their embroideries and the skill and daring of their horsemen.

In the Autumn Lorca also celebrates the Fiestas of San Clemente and a Feria and there are a series of important events throughout the year in the Recinto Ferial, as well as a busy cultural and sporting programme.

The tourist office relocated for 14 years to Calle San Patricio, near the church, but has now returned to its former premises alongside the Palacio de Guevara in the Plaza Concha Sandoval, or Plaza de la Bordadora (click for map).

Lorca Tourist Office Lorca also has an area of inspoilt coastline incorporating the Parque Regional de Cabo Cope - Puntas de Calnegre, in the Sierra de Almenara, which includes the beaches of Puntas de Calnegre, Baño de las Mujeres, San Pedro, El Siscal, Cala Honda, Cuartel del Ciscar, Junquera, Cala de la Gruta, Cala Leña, Los Hierros, Cala Blanca and Playa Larga, although many are accessible only along difficult tracks or by boat!

Lorca Tourist Office However, in spite of its many attractions, the name of Lorca is synonymous with Easter, (Semana Santa) its biblical parades of International Tourist Interest status and famous throughout Spain. The week includes a series of processions in which the Whites (Paso Blanco) and Blues (Paso Azúl) try to outdo each other with the magnificence of their embroideries and the skill and daring of their horsemen.