sentences:  On 17 March 1848, a crowd of between 2,000 – 3,000 set off from Old Course Road intending to march to the reputed grave of St. Patrick on Cathedral Hill but were attacked en route by Orange protesters at the Irish Street shambles who had heard about the St. Patrick's day parade; a riot ensued.Downpatrick, throughout the course of The Troubles, had a significant paramilitary presence in the town, mostly through the presence of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA) & Irish National Liberation Army (INLA)
  
  
  St Patrick's Day is celebrated in Downpatrick through an annual cross-community parade which goes through the centre of the town.This is the one day of the year that Downpatrick closes its main streets so that celebrations can begin.