The Apprentice Boys of Derry are to break new ground by celebrating St Patrick's Day with a weekend of festivities on March 17th and 18th.
Mr Alistair Simpson, governor of the organisation, made the surprise announcement yesterday, one week after the unionist-controlled Belfast City Council voted to withdraw funding from the West Belfast St Patrick's Day parade.
"I can't speak for what happens in Belfast, but as far as I am concerned here, the city council is more than happy with what we are planning to do," said Mr Simpson.
"Our aim is to reverse the Protestant community's increasing alienation from the patron saint, and we intend providing something which Protestants can feel part of and proud of."
The festival will take place in the Apprentice Boys' Memorial Hall at Society Street in the centre of Derry. It will include mirth and music, workshops and plays.
The decision by Belfast City Council not to fund the St Patrick's Day carnival is to be challenged tomorrow in the High Court by Ms Caitriona Ruane, chairwoman of the St Patrick's Carnival Committee. The court papers claim the council's decision was in breach of a lawful duty not to discriminate on religious or political grounds.