Saint Patricks Festival Armagh 2015

Celebrate! in Armagh

12-17 March 2015

Welcome to Armagh this Saint Patrick’s Festival Fáilte roimhaibh go hArd Mhacha d’fhéile Naoimh Phadraig Fair faa ye tae Airmagh fur tha set-time o minin Saunt Petherick theyeir.

Celebrate Saint Patrick in his chosen City of Armagh with a lively and varied festival showcasing the best of Armagh’s culture, music, song and dance. Join us in Ireland’s Ancient Cathedral City from Thursday 12 to Tuesday 17 March.

Festival Highlights

Friday 13 March | The Storytellin’ Man and Songstress Friday 13 March | Mary Coughlan Friday 13 - Tuesday 17 March | Session Trail Saturday 14 March | Celebrate Saint Patrick at Navan Saturday 14 March | Saint Patrick’s Big Night Out Sunday 15 March | Arco String Quartet Monday 16 March | Stockton’s Wing Tuesday 17 March | Saint Patrick’s Day Celebrations 02 | www.armagh.co.uk/saintpatrick

Armagh...

Saint Patrick’s Chosen City It was in Armagh that Ireland’s patron saint began his mission in Ireland and established the City as the spiritual Capital. There are many legends around Saint Patrick, but this is his story...

Patrick was born in Britain around 400AD. As a boy he was captured and brought to Slemish Mountain in County Antrim to work as a shepherd. After six years of captivity he escaped back to Britain and studied in a monastery.

Following a vision from an angel called Victoricus, Patrick returned to Ireland as a Bishop and taught the Christian faith using the shamrock to explain the Trinity. Patrick’s mission lasted for many years and it is believed he died in the 5th century on March 17.

Armagh was chosen by Patrick as the supreme Christian settlement in

Ireland. During his mission, he performed a miracle that convinced the local chieftain Daire to give him his desired hill-top site. This was to be the location of his great monastery, the Church of Armagh.

Today, Armagh has two Cathedrals. Saint Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral stands on the site where Patrick built his Great Church in 445AD. Opposite stands Saint Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cathedral, where Patrick is reputed to have placed a rescued fawn. The cathedrals are a celebration of Patrick’s life, legacy and mission.

Church Services - Saint Patrick’s Festival 2015 SAINT PATRICK’S ROMAN CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL Mass in Irish Tuesday 17 March | 9.00am

Mass & Blessing of the Shamrock

Tuesday 17 March | 11.00am

SAINT PATRICK’S CHURCH OF IRELAND CATHEDRAL Holy Communion in Irish Tuesday 17 March | 10.00am

Sung Eucharist; Celebrant and Preacher: The Dean Tuesday 17 March | 11.00am www.armagh.co.uk/saintpatrick | 03

Saint Patrick’s Festival Art Exhibition Opening Thursday 12 March Time: 7.00pm The Market Place Theatre ‘Igniting the Art Trail’ by Armagh Art Club is inspired by the journey taken by Saint Patrick and the historic city of Armagh.

The exhibition will be opened by Lord Mayor of Armagh City and District Council, Councillor Cathy Rafferty to coincide with the City’s annual Saint Patrick’s Festival.

The Storytellin’ Man and Songstress: Billy Teare & Kathleen O’Sullivan Friday 13 March | 6.30pm Armagh Public Library | £5.00 The Storytellin’ Man and Songstress bring their tall tales, myth and legend to Armagh. Ireland’s foremost story and song duo Billy Teare and Kathleen O’Sullivan celebrate an enchanting cultural treasure trove of songs, stories and more, for audiences of all ages.

Book tickets online at www.armagh.co.uk/saintpatrick

04 | www.armagh.co.uk/saintpatrick

Session Trail Join us for a weekend of lively music across Armagh City’s popular bars and restaurants.

Featuring traditional music, family friendly sessions and other live music - the merriment begins at Rumour Espresso Bar on Friday 13 March with the sounds of tunes and laughter continuing to fill the streets of Armagh City until midnight and beyond on Tuesday 17 March.

There is music to suit everyone in Armagh this Saint Patrick’s Festival. Follow the Session Trail and experience the best in music and culture...

Full listing of entertainment available at

www.armagh.co.uk/saintpatrick

Session venues: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Armagh City Hotel Armagh Piper’s Club Cuchulainn Bar Devlin’s Bar Keegan’s Bar and Restaurant Kelly’s Bar McKenna’s Bar Railway Bar Rainbow Restaurant Red Neds Rumour Espresso Bar The Hole in the Wall Bar The Market Place Bar and Bistro The Moody Boar Toby Jug Turner’s Bar Victoria Bar Viva www.armagh.co.uk/saintpatrick | 05

£1,100 prize fund

plus professional recording time for the winner!

Celebrate Saint Patrick @ Navan Saturday 14 March | 11.00am, 1.00pm & 3.00pm Navan Centre & Fort | £6.50 per person [under 4’s free] Pre-booking essential.

Patrick coming to Armagh and the existence of Navan go hand in hand so, it is only fitting to visit the Navan Centre this Saint Patrick’s Festival. Visit the Iron Age Dwelling, where a visitor will be captured as a young Patrick, placed in a slave collar and led to the sacred mound to begin life as a shepherd. Enjoy a dramatisation telling how Patrick chose Armagh as the site of his first stone church.

Were there really snakes in Ireland? Have a look at our snake collection, make a snake mask and join ‘Jake the Snake Charmer’ as he leads you to invade the country... only Patrick can banish the snakes from Ireland.

Busking In The City Saturday 14 March 11.00am - 3.00pm Armagh City Centre Musicians from across NI and beyond will gather in Armagh City for the annual busking competition.

These acts will be entertaining the crowds for a prize fund of £1,100. The winner will also receive recording time with professional sound engineers courtesy of the AmmA centre.

The competition is open to all ages, under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult.

Pre-booking is essential for all tickets, including any complimentary places required for children under 4 years.

Application forms available at Armagh Visitor Information Centre: e: vic@armagh.gov.uk t: +44 [0] 28 3752 1800

Book tickets online at www.armagh.co.uk/patrick or t: +44 [0] 28 3752 9644.

Registration at 10.00am in The Market Place Theatre. Prize giving at 4.00pm.

06 | www.armagh.co.uk/saintpatrick

MICKY BARTLETT

“Naturally engaging, great material, killer delivery” RADIO ULSTER

Saint Patrick’s Big Night Out Saturday 14 March | 8.00pm - Late Market Place Theatre | £15.00 A festival in one night with performances in the Market Place Theatre’s auditorium, studio and on a specially built stage in the foyer. Featuring music, comedy and dance - there’ll be something for everyone.

Performances will begin at 8.00pm until late. It’s entirely up to you what you want to see on the night - feel free to go from one performance to another. Please note that some of the acts will be strictly for ages 18+ and that capacities in each of the venues can vary depending on layout.

“Booka Brass Band have every right to be claimed as Ireland’s best live act right now” GOLDEN PLEC

Acts include: Scotland’s Clanadonia | Celtic Storm | The Whistlin’ Donkeys All Folk’d Up | Mickey Bartlett [18+] | Al Porter [18+] | Castlestreet The Ray Dunne Band | Hatchjaw | St. Columba’s School Pipe Band Armagh Pipers Club | ...and before their headline gig at Vicar Street, witness the amazing Booka Brass Band.

Book tickets online at www.armagh.co.uk/saintpatrick or t: +44 [0] 28 3752 1821 www.armagh.co.uk/saintpatrick | 07

Dine with Queen Macha!

Sunday 15 March | 1.00pm Navan Centre & Fort | £8.95 per adult & £4.00 per child. Pre-booking essential.

On Mothering Sunday treat your mother to an extra special lunch in the company of Queen Macha, the only Queen of Ireland. Queen Macha will invite guests to savour an array of home cooked foods, they will then be entertained with music and storytelling. After lunch Queen Macha and her servants invite the children to get creative - to plant and decorate their very own herb pot to take home and enjoy! Buffet lunch includes main course and dessert.

Book tickets online at www.armagh.co.uk/mothersday or t: +44 [0] 28 3752 9644

Arco String Quartet Sunday 15 March | 3.00pm Primate’s Chapel, Palace Demesne | £5.00 Arco String Quartet is regarded as Ireland’s leading professional, vibrant and most successful string quartet. All the players, members of The Ulster Orchestra, are graduates from the world’s leading conservatoires. This afternoon’s repertoire in the beautiful setting of the Primate’s Chapel will include classical music as well as adaptations of some of Ireland’s wonderful traditional & folk canon.

Book tickets online at www.armagh.co.uk/saintpatrick or t: +44 (0) 28 3752 1821

08 | www.armagh.co.uk/saintpatrick

Market Place Theatre Events Kíla

Thursday 12 March 8.00pm | £10.00 ‘Softly spoken off stage and complete lunatics on it, Kíla have torn up the rulebook with their wantonly eclectic mix of styles.

Brilliant’. - HOT PRESS

PJ Gallagher

Family Super Saturday with Tumble Circus

Saturday 14 March 11.00am or 2.00pm | £6.00 ‘Tumble Circus’ welcomes you to their haphazard world of comedy, circus and theatre.

Friday 13 March | 8.00pm £18.00 & £16.00[conc] Recommended for Age 18+ Star of ‘Naked Camera’, Irish comedian PJ Gallagher makes his highly anticipated return to The Market Place.

Awhile with Seamus Heaney Monday 16 March 6.00pm | £7.50

A personal journey by Irish actordirector, Larry McCluskey through the late Nobel Prizewinnner’s best and most popular work, a dramatic reading, with linking commentary and music.

St Patrick’s Big Night Out

Saturday 14 March 8.00pm - Late | £15.00 Featuring music, comedy and dance.

Flann O’Brien’s ‘The Third Policeman’ Sunday 15 March 8.00pm | £10.00

Mary Coughlan Friday 13 March 8.00pm | £13.00

Come along to hear one of Ireland’s most distinctive voices in a lovely intimate setting.

A gem of Irish literature is brought to light in this highly acclaimed presentation which has toured throughout Ireland.

Narrated by distinguished Dublin-born Phelim Drew with an original score by Belfast composer Colin Reid.

Further details of all performances at

Stockton’s Wing Monday 16 March 8.00pm | £12.50

The legendary band reforms with Tommy Hayes, Maurice Lennon, Mike Hanrahan, Steve Cooney & Paul Roche taking to the stage as part of their ‘Light in the Western Sky’. A unique opportunity to see some of the finest musicians of their generation.

www.marketplacearmagh.com www.armagh.co.uk/saintpatrick | 09

Saint Patrick’s Day Celebrations Tuesday 17 March 10 | www.armagh.co.uk/saintpatrick

THEME:

ARMAGH - SPRING INTO THE FUTURE

Saint Patrick’s Day Carnival Procession Departs: 1.00pm Armagh City Centre | Free Celebrate Saint Patrick in Armagh with a spectacular display of colour, music, dance and entertainment for all to enjoy.

The celebrations begin with a high energy carnival procession departing the Palace Demesne at 1.00pm and making its way through Armagh City Centre.

Come along to see colourful floats, marching bands and street performers as Armagh celebrates its biggest carnival day of the year!

St Patrick’s Day Concert with More Power To Your Elbow

St Patrick’s Day Family Fun at the Shambles Yard

Time 1.45pm - 4.00pm Armagh City Centre | Free

1.30pm - 4.00pm The Shambles Yard | Free

The celebrations continue as the legendary More Power To Your Elbow take to the stage.

The Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations continue with a family fun afternoon in the Shambles Yard.

The magnificent Celtic Folk / Rock band will drive you into an all singing, all dancing frenzy.

The group will be supported by The Ray Dunne Band.

Let your creativity flow in the craft corner, be entertained by the talent on the community stage, or take part in the family activities.

www.armagh.co.uk/saintpatrick | 11

Armagh Pipers Club Annual Concert

Market Place Theatre Sunday 8 March | 3.00pm | £5.00 300 musicians from Armagh Pipers Club come together to perform innovative arrangements covering instrumental, vocal and dancing skills. Tickets available at door.

Saint Patrick’s Display Armagh County Museum Friday 13 - Friday 27 March

A display of objects demonstrating the relationship between Patrick and Armagh reveals the enduring affection the City retains for Ireland’s patron saint.

Counter Culture

Abbey Lane Theatre Saturday 14 March | 6.00pm | £6.00

Other Events 12 | www.armagh.co.uk/saintpatrick

Welcome to the world of fashion retail where “the customer is always right”. A whirlwind solo show by award-winner Katie O’Kelly. Full details from www. marketplacearmagh.com.

Organ Recital by Professor Charles Barland Saint Malachy’s Church, Armagh Monday 16 March | 7.00pm

Also performing in Saint Aidan’s Church in Kilmore on Saturday 14 March at 7.00pm.

Stylish spring shopping...

Enjoy a relaxed shopping experience in Armagh City, with a delightful mix of familiar high street names, side-by-side with high quality independent stores offering stylish shopping, for you, your home and all occasions.

...and a great evening out!

Relish early evenings and late nights in Armagh City this Spring. Applaud a performance at the award-winning theatre, savour local flavours in award-winning restaurants and enjoy a live band or sip on a local Armagh cider in one of our welcoming bars.

To plan your trip visit

www.armagh.co.uk

Key events this spring…

Series of Brian Ború Events

Armagh Fashion & Beauty Festival

From Saturday 11 April Armagh City

Thursday 23 Saturday 25 April Armagh City

Brian Ború, Ireland’s greatest High King is buried in Armagh.

A series of events including a Ború sculpture launch, a children’s puppet show and a theatrical production of ‘The Assassination of Brian Ború’ will take place.

View the latest collections and musthaves from Armagh’s fabulous boutiques.

With fashion and beauty experts at your fingertips, it’s the perfect opportunity to revamp your style!

Apple Blossom Festival Monday 4 May Loughgall Country Park The Orchard County of Armagh is widely known for its apple growing tradition. The annual Apple Blossom Festival is a chance to sample different apple produce and enjoy the rural ambience of Armagh’s apple orchards.

Highlights include: guided tours, food & craft stalls, cookery demonstrations, live music and family fun.

Coming up in 2015...

May: June: July: August:

September: October: November: December:

Tandragee 100 Armagh County Agricultural Show John Hewitt International Summer School | Open Air Theatre All Ireland Road Bowls | 7 Hills Blues Festival | Shambles Day Charles Wood Festival of Music | Wickerman Festival European Heritage Open Days | Culture Night | Open Air Cinema Halloween in Armagh Bard of Armagh | William Kennedy Piping Festival | Georgian Day Pantomime | Christmas at Navan

There are regular events happening throughout the year. For full events listing visit www.armagh.co.uk 14 | www.armagh.co.uk/saintpatrick

OA

D

A2

9

<<

To

Parking & Route Map

GA

OA D

h lyna Bal

LL

- D S p ir e s C o U N m ple x G AN NON

H OUG

YR

< < - L HGALL R G LOU

MO

one

A29

r Rive

Y ST LWA RAI

BANBROOK HILL

ET RE ST RIA TO VIC

Armagh City Hotel

Armagh County Golf Club

Armagh City Rugby Club

IV E

DR P8 P9

ASH LE Y

K PAR

A28

A29

www.armagh.co.uk/saintpatrick | 15

ne River

P7

H ST

Ballynaho

P5

E NU

P4

Mall Shopping Centre [Mall West] 412 Linenhall Street Car Park 63 St Patrick’s Trian 77 Dobbin Street Lane | St Malachy’s 248 Friary Road Car Park 182 Court House 31 Lonsdale Road 99 E NU AVE 111 Mall East [on-street] LE Y H S A The Shambles Yard 100 VE TA

P3

No. of Space

[Approx]

UN MO

P2

IRIS

Orchard

Car ParksLeisure Centre

P1

The Palace Demesne & Public Park

FOLLY LANE

SE RO

The Palace Lodge

K IL LU NE Y

TREE T AS S

T.

TRE ET

A S RO

D

RK

T

R EE

ST

THOM

LINENHAL LS

NS

REE T

N ST

DAW SO

VICARS’ HILL

UPPER IRISH STREET TREET

SH S

LANG Police Station

AD

Friary Ruins

>>

AGEE

Gaol

P5

REE

IR I

D OA

REET

R TAND

K ST

RAC

D O B BI HEALTH CENTRES

HILL

O Y & ->> YR WR LK NE UNDA D

CAV MONAG AN & HA K E A N, T DY

SBAWN ROAD A51 ILTON HAM

WR NE

<<-

AD RO

PO

BAR

P6

A3

DRUMAD D

EET

For further information contact Armagh Visitor Information Centre t: +44 [0] 28 3752 1800 e: vic@armagh.gov.uk | www.armagh.co.uk

OAD

L

ACK

BARR

Procession Route

AN R

IL ER H TOW

T

The Mall Shopping Centre

STR

R ARY FRI

A3

AS

P2

T

TCH

VICTORIA ROAD

LE AL

ARK RG P MA

PARK DALTON

P4 St. Malachy’s Church [Catholic]

SCO

P8

Cricket Club

ES

DRU

The Athletic Grounds

EM

A28 OAD EA R LLYL

PO

TREET Armagh Shopping Centre

S OGLE

The Mall

W LL MA

ET

P1

Mc C RU

Lib

SC M’ T.

AN S NAV TRE

T.

T HE

& FORT

E AN

TRE AN CEN TO NAV

MA

L CHAPE L

E

D

EE ST. CULD

LL S

SE RUS

P3

St. Mark’s Church [CoI]

Armagh County Museum

TH

ROAD

Community Hospital

Royal Irish Fusiliers Museum

Charlemont Arms T Hotel EE TR ES EG L OL UP C PE RE H STREE T LIS NG

RIV

OA

D

ED LDE

<<-

YR

BUS STATION

Cinema The Market CAT Place Theatre H ED RAL CLOSE ET ST.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral [CoI] CAST L E

CU

ER

Armagh Courthouse

OA

CALLAN STREET

RS

P7

E Y STREE T A BB Armagh Visitor Information Centre

Lib

COL

ALE R

Youth Hostel

NU

EE T H S TR

D OA TR EN NV CO

Shambles S TR Yard EE T

Lib

HILL WINDMILL

LONSD

IS LOWER ENGL

EDWARD

P9

L E HIL AN LEG LURGN ->> AST, BELF RTADOW & PO

P6

DOBBIN ST. LANE

NE LA

<<-BENBURB

Cathedral Road Recreational Centre

OWN

AD PORT

Armagh Planetarium

St. Patrick’s Cathedral [Catholic]

ATHEDRAL ROAD

Armagh Observatory

REE T

T AR

S DE

Cardinal Tomás Ó Fiaich Library

Armagh... perfect for a weekend break this Saint Patrick’s Festival!

Why not make a weekend of it and enjoy Armagh’s Saint Patrick’s Festival. Take in an act at The Market Place Theatre, follow the session trail across the City and enjoy the Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations as you soak up the atmosphere of Ireland’s oldest City.

In Armagh City there is a range of high-quality hotel, bed & breakfast and self-catering accommodation available: • • • • • • • • • • •

Armagh City Hotel The Charlemont Arms Hotel DeAverell House 15 Victoria Street Battleford Bed & Breakfast Desart Guest House Fairylands Country House Hillview Lodge Orchard House The Laurels The Meadows

• • • • • • • • • • •

50 Castle Street Ballinahone Lodge Cherry Lodge Chestnut House Dobbin Lodge Lurgaboy Cottages Mallview Studio & Apartment Oaktree Lodge Primrose Cottage The Gatelodge The Loft

For full details on all accommodation and Saint Patrick’s Day offers in Armagh City

and the surrounding areas visit www.armagh.co.uk/saintpatrick