Known as ‘The Emerald Isle’, Montserrat is the only country outside Ireland where St Patrick’s Day is a public holiday. The week-long St Patrick’s Festival provides a rich mix of Irish and African heritage, with some traditional Caribbean entertainment, making this one of Montserrat’s most popular annual events.
This year St. Patrick’s Week will be celebrated from March 9th to 19th 2012 and will be held in the village of Salem. The activities for the week will centre around the Freedom Run from Cudjoe Head to Salem Park, a nature hike and a junior calypso competition. St Patrick’s Day itself (17th March) will be the main highlight with its very unique reconstructed Slave Village.
Here, stalls will sell traditional foods, locals will gather to play traditional games such as dominoes and marbles, and masquerade dancers will put on colourful displays. Two new features will be added to this year’s week of activities. These include a Montserrat Day where local artisans will showcase their products all of which are locally made. Items will include art and craft items, foods, among other things and a Lunchtime Party and Goat Water Competition not to be missed.
Montserrat’s Irish heritage dates back to the 17th century when the island became a haven for Irish Catholics who were persecuted on other Caribbean islands. This history is still evident today from the moment visitors arrive at the airport in Montserrat and receive a shamrock-shaped stamp in their passports. During St Patrick’s Day, visitors will notice many locals wearing national dress – in which green is the dominant colour – and both Guinness and ‘Green’ Heineken are available in bars aside the traditional rum punch cocktails.
Six Hiking Trails Enhanced
The Montserrat Tourist Board recently enhanced six (6) trails: Dry Waterfall, Blackwood Allen, The Cot, Underwood, Duberry/Cassava and Oriole Walkway thereby making them more attractive and safe to enjoy. Work on the trails included clearing of footpaths, improved handrails and earthen steps, soil and water conservation works to control erosion in some areas, among other things. Hiking remains one of the most popular recreational activities as the trails host a range of wildlife including unique flora and fauna such as the Montserrat oriole and a myriad of other bird species. While some trails have running streams and differing vegetation, all trails provide breathtaking views of land and seascapes. Each trail is unique and is suited to hikers with varying abilities, as they are provided with the option to choose from light, to moderate, to difficult, to extreme.
Most trails are clearly marked, but it is always advisable to hire a trail guide, especially if you are unfamiliar with the area. Information on trail guiding services is available through the Montserrat National Trust on 664 491 3086 or the Montserrat Tourist Board on 664 491 2230 website: www.visitmontserrat.com Trail maps are also available for sale at these locations for EC$10.00 or US$4.00 each.
2012 Superyacht Services Guide Out Now!
Information on Montserrat is presented in Volume 1 of the Superyachts Services Guide 2012 which is currently available. Packed with valuable information this 700+ page guide provides yachtees with pertinent information about dining, shopping, activities, attractions and yacht services.
It remains a valuable reference for all yachts spending time in the Caribbean.
“The core target market of the guides is focused mainly towards the professionally crewed yacht sector – who need to be aware of the most reliable, efficient and effective service contacts in any particular port or cruising region. It is also of great use to any cruising yachts wishing to benefit from the extensive and ongoing cumulative experience inputted by our database of professional Captains and crew members – who are consistently interviewed throughout every year to produce the selective ‘recommended’ content for these guides”, says Clare Sudlow, Co-editor. She added that “In view of the close proximity to the island of Antigua, a major yachting hub of the Caribbean – the 2012 Montserrat chapter focuses on the opportunity for yacht owners, guests and crew to visit neighboring Montserrat. Whether visiting the island by yacht, plane or helicopter, the Superyacht Service Guide suggests to their readers the idea of taking a relaxing short break on Montserrat to experience her beautiful interior rainforest as well as to take an informative island tour to view the Soufriere Hills and the devastation of their recent volcanic history.“
