St. Patricks Festival Kilkenny 2018

www.stpatricksfestivalkilkenny.com

WELCOME/FÁILTE As Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, both myself and the Mayor of the Municipal District of Kilkenny City, Cllr. Michael Doyle, on behalf of the Elected Members, are delighted to have this opportunity to welcome everyone to the St. Patrick’s Day Festivities 2018 in Kilkenny City.

We would like to extend a “Céad Míle Failte” to everyone visiting Kilkenny and Ireland for St. Patrick’s Day. It is our pleasure to welcome you to a city that is rich in history and we look forward to showing you the wonderful hospitality and welcome that Kilkenny and Ireland is renowned for.

Kilkenny promises to be a most enjoyable place to be for St. Patrick’s Day. At the heart of the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Kilkenny is the annual parade and Kilkenny County Council is proud to host the Parade as a Civic Event and would encourage the people of Kilkenny City and County to come and see this wonderful display of pageantry in a family friendly environment. The theme of the Parade in 2018 is “Kilkenny Through the Ages”. This is a great theme as there are so many interesting aspects to Kilkenny City and County, from its rich history to its industrial successes and its sporting prowess.

Events such as the St. Patrick’s Day Parade do not happen without a lot of work behind the scenes by the organising committee who work tirelessly

every year to stage a Parade that any town, city or county would be proud of. The Mayor and I would like to acknowledge this work and thank the members of the Committee for their hard work and dedication. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade is a community event and we would also like to acknowledge the involvement of the community groups and organisations as well as clubs, schools and businesses from all over the county for their participation in the Parade every year. With Kilkenny becoming known as the “Festival Hub of Ireland”, it kicks off its Festival Season for 2018 with the 6th Kilkenny TradFest, which will take over the city for a St. Patrick’s Weekend full of “craic agus ceol”. The festival showcases the best of Irish Traditional Music, in a variety of venues across the City, with free and ticketed events.

In conclusion, we are extending an all-inclusive invitation to embrace and enjoy the St. Patrick’s Day Festivities in Kilkenny City and we wish you and your families, both at home and across the world a Happy St. Patrick’s Day. Lá Fhéile Padraig sona dhaoibh go leir.

Cllr. David Fitzgerald, Cathaoirleach, Kilkenny County Council.

Cllr. Michael Doyle, Mayor, Municipal District of Kilkenny City

THANK YOU / MILE BUíOCHAS

As chairperson of the 2018 St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, I would like to acknowledge the hard work of our committee and thank them for their involvement and input which makes St. Patrick’s Day in Kilkenny an entertaining and enjoyable experience for locals and visitors alike. Special thanks to Trasna Productions for working with us this year to bring our theme to life and thanks also to all the community groups who get involved in the parade. This is truly a community parade and it is wonderful to see local groups and organisations march proudly through our beautiful city.

Is mise, Cllr Joe Malone, Chairperson St. Patrick’s Day Committee 2018.

THE ST PATRICK’S DAY PARADE IS ORGANISED AND FUNDED BY KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL.

Kilkenny County Council Comhairle Chontae Chill Chainnigh

2018 COMMITTEE:

Mayor Cllr. Michael Doyle, Cllr. Joe Malone (Chairperson), Cllr. Andrew McGuinness, Cllr. Seán Tyrrell, Cllr. Patrick O’Neill, Joe Reidy, Martin Bridgeman, Anne Maria Walsh, Catherine Cooney and Katherine Peacock.

Event Management: Marian Flannery Marketing/PR: Roisín O’Brien

MARCHING BANDS Come out and enjoy some fantastic entertainment from USA marching bands.

This is a unique experience not to be missed.

Bands will march from the Watergate Theatre to Kilkenny Castle via Parliament Street, High Street and The Parade. Come out and give them and their families a very big warm Kilkenny welcome and watch their amazing finale performance in Kilkenny Castle.

PERDUE university, indiana, usA

DATE: THURSDAY 15TH MARCH TIME: 3.30PM VENUE: STARTING AT WATERGATE THEATRE FINISHING AT KILKENNY CASTLE

LEGACY HIGH SCHOOL,

COLORADO, USA

DATE: FRIDAY 16TH MARCH TIME: 1.30PM VENUE: STARTING AT WATERGATE THEATRE FINISHING AT KILKENNY CASTLE

LT LAKEVILLE

MINNESOTA, USA

DATE: MONDAY 18TH MARCH TIME: 1.30PM VENUE: KILKENNY CASTLE (NOT MARCHING THROUGH STREETS)

CÉILÍ NA SCOILEANNA

FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL 5th CLASS | DATE: FRIDAY 16TH MARCH | TIME: 10AM – 1PM VENUE: THE WATERSHED HALL | BOOKING ESSENTIAL: priomhoide@osrai.com Tóg rang ó do scoil do Chéilí Lá le Pádraig agus Tradfest. Seans chun na rincí móra a chleachtadh le do pháistí. Múinteoir Nioclás mar fhear an tí agus sport, Gaeilge, craic agus ceol geallta.

Come along to Ceilí na Scoileanna as part of Kilkenny Tradfest and St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the Watershed. Here’s a great chance to practice all the great group dances and a few surprises thrown in.

Múinteoir Nioclás will be on the microphone and a fun-filled time is promised to celebrate our national holiday with dancing, craic and ceol.

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MUSIC FROM THE BANDSTAND WITH ST. PATRICK’S

BRASS & REED BAND

DATE: FRIDAY 16TH MARCH DOORS: 7.30PM // ON STAGE: 8PM VENUE: WATERGATE THEATRE | TICKETS: €10 TO BOOK: www.watergatetheatre.com

Featuring Bold as Brass, Eugene Dewberry, Hallroyd Band (West Yorkshire) and your hosts St. Patrick’s Brass Band. Music to suit all big band and classical tastes.

HISTORY v ARCHAEOLOGY

A HISTORY IRELAND HEDGE SCHOOL

DATE: FRIDAY 16TH MARCH | TIME: 6.30PM VENUE: MEDIEVAL MILE MUSEUM | TICKETS €10, CONCESSION €8 TO BOOK: At the venue / www.medievalmilemuseum.ie History Ireland Hedge Schools are lively, unfettered debates and provide a novel and interesting way to bring historical topics to life.

As part of as part of St. Patrick's Festivities, and the first Hedge School to take place in the Medieval Mile Museum, we’ll be considering what the relationship is between history and archaeology and how the two disciplines develop our understanding of the past.

Simply put, which is better?! To discuss these and related matters join Tommy Graham, editor of History Ireland and frequent presenter of Talking History on Newstalk radio for a lively debate with medieval historians Sean Duffy and Matthew Stout and archaeologists Geraldine Stout and Christine Baker. Refreshments provided by Costello’s Brewing Company included in the ticket price.

PRE-PARADE entertainment @ MACDONAGH DATE: SATURDAY 17TH MARCH | TIME: 11AM VENUE: MacDONAGH SHOPPING CENTRE | FREE OF CHARGE

Dj Paul Kavanagh will kick start the pre-parade entertainment and customers can enjoy a spectacular showcase including performance from the Dancewise Academy. Customers can enjoy a spectacular showcase including performances from the Dancewise Academy.

Families are invited to take part in an exciting snake hunt taking place in the Centre all weekend. Customers will be encouraged to search for a series of colourful (pretend) reptile friends hiding in dark corners throughout the centre - with plenty of prizes for the most talented snake hunters. There’ll also be music, free face painting and not forgetting a visit from giant Leprechauns Lucky and Larry … fun for all the family!

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RYAN SHERIDAN & RONAN NOLAN

EERET R F CONC

DATE: SATURDAY 17TH MARCH TIME: AFTER THE PARADE - 3PM APPROX VENUE: FESTIVAL STAGE, THE PARADE Platinum selling Ryan Sheridan, one of the countries most reputable singer / songwriters is coming to Kilkenny for an amazing open air FREE concert to celebrate St. Patrick's Day Festivities. An inventive guitarist and vocalist, he has combined his string skills with percussive attacks to create a unique sound that has thrilled packed venues worldwide.

Recently joined by Ronan Nolan, the duo are making wave across Europe and beyond with their dynamic show which is not to be missed.

FUINNEAMH DRUM – GIANT COMMUNITY DRUM

DATES: SATURDAY 17TH VENUE: SATURDAY - CASTLE PARK SUNDAY 18TH & MONDAY 19TH MARCH - THE PARADE TIME: 11.30AM TO 4PM | FREE OF CHARGE

Kindly sponsored by St. Patrick’s weekend is all about having fun, so come along and have great fun drumming on this fantastic community drum! FUINNEAMH is a 14ft diameter communal drum made from 90% recycled material. Amazingly it can be played by 25 people, of any age at the same time! Come along and give it a try – there will be help at hand from Mel & Elaine.

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ST. PATRICK’S

ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE - m.c. george candler

SATURDAY 17TH MARCH | 11AM - STARTS AT ST JOHN’S CHURCH/ FINISHES IN MARKET YARD NO CHARGE FOR COMMUNITY ENTRIES. APPLICATION FORM ON www.stpatricksfestivalkilkenny.com

2018 GRAND MARSHALL - BOBBY KERR

We are delighted to announce that proud Kilkenny man, broadcaster, entrepreneur and businessman, Bobby Kerr has been selected and accepted the role of Grand Marshall for our 2018 St Patrick’s Day Parade.

Chairman of the Insomnia Café group, Bobby grew up in Kilkenny city, where his father Bobby Snr ran the famous Newpark Hotel for many decades. Bobby was educated in Kilkenny CBS and later in Castleknock College. Bobby maintains a great interest in the life of the city and the county.

Here is a sample of what to expect in the 2018 parade.

TIME TRAIN TOURISTS

Commissioned by Kilkenny County Council for the 2018 Parade, ‘Trasna Productions’ form Callan invites the people of Kilkenny on a tourist trip through Kilkenny’s peculiar past.

Our time-travelling train will unleash an army of over-sized, over-stuffed, over enthusiastic tourists onto the streets of Kilkenny, who will weave their way through a wacky, whistle-stop tour of Kilkenny’s history, culture, music and sport.

Multiple local community groups will help to animate the city’s fascinating history and culture, creating fantastical photo opportunities for our time-travelling tourists. From medieval bubbly beer-brewing monks to dancing, fire dodging witches; from black and amber fighting cats to Norman’s grappling with the Black Death - our Patrick’s Day passengers will be presented with a whole other perspective on our beloved city.

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KILKENNY THROUGH THE AGES

‘Kilkenny Through The Ages’ is the theme for the 2018 parade. From its rich history to its industrial successes and its sporting prowess, local groups will draw inspiration for their floats from a myriad of events and people that makes Kilkenny what it is.

COMMUNE di FORMIGINE

We are also delighted to welcome our friends from Formigine, Italy who are marching in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in their traditional medieval dress. Formigine is a town and comune in the province of Modena, Emilia-Romagna. Formigine’s Mayor Maria Costi will walk in the Kilkenny Parade along with Mayor of Kilkenny Cllr Michael Doyle. A formal signing of the twinning agreement between Kilkenny and Commune di Formigine will take place after the parade.

S DAY PARADE KILKENNY’S MEDIEVAL MILE

Meet characters from Ireland’s Medieval Mile This is your chance to meet the greatest Knight that ever lived, an Irish Princess, a wealthy tudor merchant and a witch-hunting Bishop! Taking a break from the Medieval Mile Museum, Rothe House and Garden and St Canice’s Cathedral and Round Tower, these characters will be out in force to say hello to the Parade crowds.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN (LETR)

Gary Gordon and his Special Olympics team in Kilkenny, is delighted to be hosting 30 members of the USA police force who have travelled to Kilkenny to celebrate St Patrick’s Day 2018 and will march in uniform in our parade along with local members of the Special Olympics Committee. LETR is run by police officers, sheriff’s deputies, correction officers, support staff, police volunteers and other law enforcement professionals from around the world. Close to 97,000 police professionals in over 45 countries participate in this worldwide effort to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics.

SCHOOLS GO GREEN FOR ST. PATRICK’S DAY

School floats which reflect any of the topics below (or your own environmental interpretation!) can avail of a €250 bursary towards the cost of putting your float together! E: deirdre.trait@kilkennycoco.ie

CONCERT OF CHOIRS

DATE: SATURDAY 17TH MARCH TIME: FROM 2.30PM | VENUE: TOWN HALL

Come along to the town hall after the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and enjoy performances from our wonderful choirs right across the city and county.

This lovely outdoor event will kick off with our visiting brass band "Musikkapelle Uffing" Located in the heart of Bavaria, 70km south of Munich, the small village Uffing am Staffelsee has a lively and vibrant social community and we are delighted to have them in Kilkenny for St . Patrick's weekend.

• Keep Kilkenny Beautiful – Bin your Litter, Don’t Fling it • Waste Prevention – Save our Rivers and Seas from Plastic • Reduce – Re-use – Recycle (www.recyclinglistireland.ie) • Biodiversity – Animals & Wildlife of Kilkenny 7

NORTH'S FUNFAIR

DATE: THURSDAY MARCH 15TH – MONDAY 19TH MARCH TIME: 11AM TO 6PM VENUE: THE PARADE TICKETS: PAY AS YOU GO Back by popular demand – the North family return to Kilkenny for their 6th St. Patrick's weekend. With over 200 years’ experience in the funfair business Arthur and Tracey provide great enjoyment for all the family on their vintage carousel, helter-skelter and chair-o-planes.

Also on the parade, enjoy some delicious food from our local stall holders over the weekend.

ACROBATICS, COMEDY, CONTORTION, JUGGLING DATE: SATURDAY 17TH MARCH TIME: AFTER THE PARADE (APPROX. 3PM) VENUE: KILKENNY CASTLE PARK FREE OF CHARGE Kindly sponsored by Hakuna Matata present a high energy, high skill acrobatics show, enjoyed by both children and adults alike. Often defying belief but guaranteeing good humour these acrobats perform mind-boggling manoeuvres and unbelievable acrobatics with broad grins.

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FANZINIS BROTHERS ‘TOUR de PANTS’ DATE: SATURDAY 17TH MARCH TIME: AFTER THE PARADE (APPROX. 3PM) VENUE: KILKENNY CASTLE PARK FREE OF CHARGE Kindly sponsored by The Fanzine brothers are sure to entertain adults and children alike! Three professional spandex clad mini bike cyclists racing each other around the chariot.

They will be joined by a unicyclist, with a set of separate handlebars in a most unusual bike split in two, dressed as a time traveller from days gone by making his very wobbly way along the parade and around Kilkenny Castle Park! Watch out for the fabulous chariot complete with a modern day wild-looking St. Patrick!

“These guys are clever, surreal and not just a little bit silly” The Irish Times

FOXY P.COx & FRIENDS DATE: SATURDAY 17TH MARCH TIME: APPROX 3PM (AFTER THE PARADE) VENUE: PARADE PLAZA FREE OF CHARGE

Feast your eyes on the creativity and whimsical delights that our award winning performers Sideshow Sweetheart Foxy P.Cox, Can-can dancers Three O Troupe and Alchemy Stilt Walkers will display in the grounds of Kilkenny Castle during our post parade entertainment. Expect beautiful costumes, minding blowing moves, theatrical glee and a few surprises!

PADDY’S DAY DASH WITH FIT4LIFE SATURDAY 17TH MARCH | 11 AM - KILKENNY CASTLE PARK €5 CHILD €10 ADULT €20 FAMILY

Come along and join in on a 5km charity run to start your St. Patrick’s Day in style! Why not come in fancy dress to add to the atmosphere of the day! (Fit4life is a Kilkenny based Running Club who run track sessions on a Monday and Thursday night at 6.30pm in Scanlon Park. All levels of fitness are welcome!)

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THE MOUNTEBONKS STREET PERFORMERS

DATE: SATURDAY 17TH MARCH TIME: AFTER THE PARADE (APPROX. 2.30PM) VENUE: KILKENNY CASTLE PARK DATE: SUNDAY 18TH MARCH TIME: 1PM TO 3PM - CITY CENTRE FROM 3PM AT MACDONAGH JUNCTION SHOPPING CENTRE Due to popular demand, the Mountebonks are back!

With their raucous energy and mischievous style of street theatre. Come and join the gang run amok again for St Patrick’s Festivities in Kilkenny. Guaranteed to provide plenty of laughs, and fun for all the family.

LIBRARY EXHIBITIONS ‘KILKENNY THROUGH THE AGES’ DATE: MARCH 13TH - 20TH 2018 TIMES: LIBRARY OPENING HOURS VENUES: CITY LIBRARY, LOUGHBOY LIBRARY, FERRYBANK LIBRARY, GRAIGUENAMANAGH LIBRARY & CASTLECOMER LIBRARY.

Using The Kilkenny People Archive the Library services have developed an exhibitions for the public which will reflect the 'St. Patrick’s Day Parades’ from years gone by. Each library has reflected on a particular year and the exhibition will include other St Patrick’s themed events such as dances , plays etc. In addition the libraries Local Studies Service has researched “the first parades and events linked to St Patrick’s Day in Kilkenny” at the turn of the last century which will be available as part of the exhibition. This will be available online from March 13th. In addition, the library services have been developing a digital collection in Graiguenamanagh Library throughout 2017 where we invited the public to celebrate the memory of Graiguenamanagh and Tinnahinch by submitting photos, memorabilia, letters etc . This digitised collection will be available on www.kilkennylibrary.ie and in the library at Graiguenamanagh.

POP UP GAELTACHT HOME RULE CLUB, JOHN'S QUAY DÉARDAOIN 15Ú MÁRTA, Ó 20.30

Ócáid shóisialta, neamhfhoirmiúil a bheidh i gceist d'aon duine atá ag iarraidh a gcuid Gaeilge a úsáid agus oíche thaitneamhach a bheith acu sa teach tábhairne! Tá fáilte roimh chách!

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DRUMMING WORKSHOPS FOR KIDS DATE: SUNDAY 18TH MARCH | VENUE: PARADE TOWER, KILKENNY CASTLE TIMES: 10AM - 4-6 YR OLDS (45 MINS) 11AM 7-12 YR OLDS (45 MINS) 12 NOON 13-17 YR OLDS TICKETS: €10 PLUS BOOKING FEE | TO BOOK: www.kilkennytradfest.com or ROLLERCOASTER RECORDS Jeremy Hickey (aka R.S.A.G.) has been teaching drums & percussion for over 10 years throughout the country. He will provide a fun and exciting way to learn about rhythm.

Participants will use pulse, tempo, tones, prepared instruments, the human voice and the human body. Background will be given on the use of percussion on a local and global scale. Children will learn concentrating / focusing techniques, ways of exploring individuality in musical expression as well as experiencing first hand ensemble music making and the many elements surrounding performance.

KEYWEST

DATE: SATURDAY 17TH MARCH TIME: DOORS 8PM VENUE: LANGTON’S BALLROOM TICKETS: €17 PLUS BOOKING FEE TO BOOK: TICKETMASTER.IE OR ROLLERCOASTER RECORDS OR LANGTON’S The 4 time platinum selling Dublin based group have had quite the journey from the early days of busking streets to coming full circle with a sold-out shows at the Olympia Theatre after their Irish and UK tour. In the past 18 months Keywest have experienced an unprecedented growth of their U.K. European and U.S. fanbase.

A gig not to be missed!

GARDA BAND IN CONCERT DATE: SUNDAY 18TH MARCH DOORS: 7PM ON STAGE: 7.30PM VENUE: ST CANICE’S CATHEDRAL TICKETS: €25 (NO BOOKING FEE THANKS TO ROLLERCOASTER) TO BOOK: ROLLERCOASTER RECORDS

All the profits from the event will be shared between Special Olympics Leinster, Kilkenny Kats Club and SOS Kilkenny.

Enjoy a fantastic night with the melodious tones of the band of An Garda Síochána, which gave its first public performance on Dun Laoghaire Pier on Easter Monday, 1923. We are delighted that they are coming to Kilkenny to support these worthy charities. Joining them will be an accordion band from Northern Ireland as well as a band led by Eamon Cahill made up of secondary school students from Kilkenny, as part of the Community Policing Unit’s cross community engagement.

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