St. Patrick's Day Festival London Official Guide

M A YO R O F L O N D O N P R E S E N T S

ST PATRIC K’S DAY FE STIVAL

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Celebrate St Patrick’s Day LONDON 2012

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A message from the Mayor

I

’m delighted to be backing London’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations once again — amongst the biggest outside Ireland. The annual parade and festival mark the longstanding contribution of many generations of Irish to the capital, and are enjoyed by people from across the city’s diverse communities.

This is a big year for London, building towards a summer of sport that will bring in an unprecedented number of visitors, showcasing our strengths to the world and securing our city’s reputation for another generation.

In these difficult times it is vital that we do not lose sight of the promising future ahead and that we grab every opportunity we have to create jobs and growth, remind the world of the unrivalled advantages of London and equip our people with the skills and attitude to take advantage of what is available.

The Irish have a proud record in London of creating wealth and employment, bringing their intellect and imagination to our professions and enriching our culture with their craic.

Lá Fhéile Phádraig Shona Duit!

Boris Johnson Mayor of London

I

am very much looking forward to St Patrick’s Day and I would like to wish a very happy St Patrick’s Day to all the readers of The Irish Post. I’m delighted that The Irish Post is back in business and as strong and relevant as ever.

St Patrick’s Day is an unrivalled occasion for the global Irish family to express pride in our shared heritage and identity. It is an opportunity for Irish communities everywhere to recall our homeland and celebrate our unique and vibrant culture, customs and traditions. And it is a time to be proud of the hugely positive contribution that the Irish community has made to every aspect of British society.

As Ambassador of Ireland in Britain, I am honoured to have the opportunity to meet with so many members of the Irish community here and I, and the Embassy team, look forward to meeting many more of you over the St Patrick’s period.

I wish each and every one of you an enjoyable St Patrick’s festival.

Bobby McDonagh Ambassador of Ireland

Contents Pages 4-5 Page Page

6 8

Pages 10-11 Pages 13-23 Page 24 Pages 26-27 Pages 28-29 Page

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Pages 33-37 Page

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An introduction to the festival MC Rob Broderick Who’s taking part in the parade Parade route map On stage at Trafalgar Square How to get there A summer of sport St Patrick’s Day around the world Stout and About: Irish pubs St Patrick’s events in London Useful contacts

Irish Post THE

St. Patrick’s Day Festival Guide designed and produced by The Irish Post, Suite A, 1 Lindsey Street, Smithfield, London EC1A 9HP

4

Celebrate St Patrick’s Day LONDON 2012

A

summer of sport for Ireland in Britain kicks off in London with one of the biggest Irish festivals this side of the Irish

sea.

To mark the start of celebrations ahead of the London 2012 Olympic Games, the Mayor Of London is hosting its best St Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival yet.

On Sunday, March 18 from noon until 6pm, London’s streets will be lined with green as Irish clubs, centres, associations, businesses and organisations turn out in honour of Ireland’s patron saint.

Taking place the day after St Patrick’s Day, this year’s Festival is set to be one of London’s liveliest celebrations of the year.

Over 100,000 people attended last year’s event and a similar crowd is expected again this time around.

The parade, featuring a colourful array of floats, marching bands and groups representing the Irish counties, will proceed through central London from Green Park to Trafalgar Square.

Trafalgar Square will then host the festival programme of live Irish music and dance on the main performance stage, showcasing the best of Irish music and dance from traditional to contemporary.

Headlining this year’s concert is phenomenal folk band The High Kings. Performances by Gemma Hayes, dance act Hammerstep, vivacious trad band Four Men and A Dog, Comhaltas, The Mulkerrin Brothers, country and Irish group Crystal Swing

Pictures by Malcolm McNally

La Fheile e Padraig

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Celebrate St Patrick’s Day LONDON 2012

5

and Co. Antrim singer/songwriter RAMS’ Pocket Radio are also in store.

This fantastic, free family day out is a great way to experience all things Irish from food and dance to crafts, culture, music and much more.

And as an added bonus this year, a team of Olympic and Paralympic athletes from Team Ireland will be taking part in the parade, tying in with the festival theme — Olympic glory.

The idea to build this year’s Festival around the 2012 Games was first mooted by the St Patrick’s Advisory Forum. And it promises to be one of the best yet.

A creative consultant was also drafted in to help community groups to make the most of their floats and displays — so expect a colourful carnival atmosphere.

MC for the Trafalgar Square music and dance concert is comedian Rob Broderick. The stand-up comic was born in Dublin but now lives and works in London.

The Irish Post will also be there on the day, with a stand offering lots of St Patrick’s Day goodies — so drop by and say hi. Keep an eye out too for our photographer who will be capturing all the fun of the festival. You never know, your picture might just appear in the next week’s paper!

Pictures by Malcolm McNally

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CelebrateLONDON St. Patrick’s Day 2012

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Introducing…

MC Rob Broderick Dublin-born comedian Rob Broderick will be this year’s Master of Ceremonies at the St. Patrick’s Day Festival.

The Irishman made his foray into comedy by improvising his way into the final of the prestigious So You Think You’re Funny competition at the 2005 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Then two years later he went on to perform his first solo show entitled Absinthe Without Leave at the same festival.

Broderick, who now lives and works in London, also won the 2010 Hackney Empire New Act of the Year competition as part of the Irish improvising hip-hop trio Abandoman.

Abandoman create hilarious musical sketches at lightning speed in front of a live audience.

No two gigs are ever the same.

The Independent has described them as having ‘comedic timing and witty rhyming that’s so impressive it could’ve been scripted’ so Rob is sure to lead the day with killer punch-lines and plenty of laughs.

As the frontman of his group, Broderick is a regular performer on the Now Show and The Vote Now Show (BBC Radio 4) and a regular contributor to the Chris Hawkins Breakfast Show (BBC 6 Music). He has also played at festivals such as Glastonbury, V Festival, Bestival, Latitude and also at the 2010 Brit Awards after party. He is bound to make this St Patrick’s Day festival a day to remember!

Dublin comedian Rob Broderick will help make the festival a day to remember

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CelebrateLONDON St. Patrick’s Day 2012

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London on parade The marchers in the big parade

■ Green Isle Camogie Club ■ Shannon Academy of Irish Dance ■ Kilkenny Association ■ Donegal Association London ■ London Kerry Association ■ Irish Community Services ■ Haringey Irish Cultural and Community Centre ■ Shannon Academy of Irish Dance ■ Comhaltas Traditional Irish Music Group ■ Emerald Society / London Fire Brigade ■ Meath Association of London ■ Hari Krishna/Food For All ■ London Irish RFC ■ Offaly Association London ■ Offaly Association CICA ■ Michael Cusacks Camogie Club ■ Scartaglen ■ Mayo Association London ■ Galway Association London ■ The Cork Association ■ Tir Chonaill Gaels GFC ■ Essex Caledonian Pipe Band ■ Limerick Exiles Association ■ London School of Samba ■ Southwark Irish Pensioners Project ■ Bill Aulsberry — Pacer ■ North London Shamrocks Youth ■ London Tipperary Association ■ Fermanagh Association London ■ Cavan Association London ■ Clare Association London ■ Waterford Association London ■ Monaghan Association London

■ Council of Irish County Associations London ■ Munster Rugby Supporters Club, London Branch ■ McGovern Brothers Haulage Ltd ■ Morenada Intocables ■ London Irish Centre, Camden ■ New Kilkenny Association London ■ Wicklow Association ■ London Wexford Association ■ Croydon Camogie Club ■ Fr Murphy’s Ladies Gaelic Football and Camogie Club ■ Metropolitian Police Emerald Society ■ The Irish Cultural Centre Hammersmith ■ St Kiernans Gaelic football club ■ Irish Olympians ■ Irish Paralympians ■ Leitrim Association London ■ Roscommon Association London ■ Longford Association London ■ Kildare Association London ■ Dublin Association London ■ Sligo Association London ■ Cappagh ■ Dublin All Stars Marching Band ■ Irish Prison Service Pipe Band ■ St Catherine’s Marching Band, Killybegs, Co Donegal ■ MPS Emerald Society Pipe and Drums ■ Mahogany Carnival Group ■ Tohokushinsha Film Corporation ■ And last but not least...St. Patrick himself!

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Celebrate St P LONDON

Parade route

t Patrick’s Day

DON 2012

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Celebrate St Patrick’s Day LONDON 2012

Music at Trafalgar Square 12:00 - 12:30

RAMS’ Pocket Radio 12:40 - 13:10

Crystal Swing 13:15 - 13:40

Speeches and presentations 13:45 - 14:05

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann 14:15 - 14:40

Mulkerrin Brothers 14:50 - 15:20

Four Men and A Dog 15:30 - 16:00

Hammerstep 16:15 - 16:55

Gemma Hayes and band 17:10 - 18:00

The High Kings * All times subject to change.

The High Kings headline at Trafalgar Square.

Gemma Hayes will be taking the stage with her band.

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CelebrateLONDON St. Patrick’s Day 2012

RAMS’ Pocket Radio Don’t let the name fool you — RAMS’ Pocket Radio is actually a one-man act. Peter McCauley is a drummer, pianist and songwriter from Lisburn in the North of Ireland. The name is taken from 1950s product designer Dieter Rams (apparently the key inspiration behind the iPod) and RAMS’ first concerns are purity, simplicity and longevity — like the designer.

Unfettered personal expression is the drive of the project with a piano-rock sound reminiscent of Coldplay and Snow Patrol. RAMS’ Pocket Radio has been described by the BBC’s Steven Rainey as having a “sense of high melodrama, piano and bass swelling up on a crest of drums and sweeping guitar... and absolutely perfect connection”.

McCauley has toured with Darwin Deez and Marina and the Diamonds and he has links to the giants of the classical composition world. He was a percussionist for the National Youth Orchestra of Northern Ireland, where he “boldly tackled the likes of Wagner’s Ring Cycle and Gustav Mahler”, and The Guardian’s Paul Lester describes him as “not just touching on the fragility of life but smashing you about the skull with it”.

With a pounding piano and dramatic vocals RAMS’ Pocket Radio is bound to kick off the St Patrick’s performances with a bang!

Crystal Swing

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and the Mulkerrin Brothers

This Country and Irish music group rose to fame in 2010 when a YouTube video of their single He Drinks Tequila became a viral sensation. Achieving 80,000 hits in just four days, Crystal Swing have since become a household name across Ireland.

The family group consisting of mother Mary Murray-Burke and her children Dervla,19, and Derek, 20, hails from Lisgoold in Co. Cork.

On stage since childhood, Mary lives to perform. She started her entertainment career properly eight years ago and formed the band with her children three years ago.

Derek, the lead singer of the band and an accomplished musician, takes his inspiration from legendary performers such as Declan Ryan, Brendan O’Brien and Art Supple.

A rock’n’roller at heart, he is an energetic and comedic performer, which is why audiences love it when he takes to the stage.

His award-winning sister, Dervla, has a unique Country and Western singing voice and a sparkling stage presence so complements the group perfectly.

Following their initial performance in Cork Opera House, Crystal Swing has since performed live on television and radio numerous times including a spot on The Late Late Show and The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

St Patrick’s Day wouldn’t be complete without a few jigs and reels from a group of traditional Irish musicians. Comhaltas is the largest group involved in the preservation and promotion of Irish traditional music. With hundreds of local branches around the world it’s been working on the cause of Irish music since the middle of the last century.

Like last year, the London festival welcomes a unique collaboration — this time between Comhaltas London and The Mulkerrin Brothers, a trio of traditional Irish musicians and performers.

The three are brothers, Pádraig, Éamonn and Seán Mulkerrin, who come from the Aran Islands. They were winners of the first series of The All-Ireland Talent Show in 2009 and have appeared on television shows including Seoige and Tubridy Tonight following their win. They’ve even given a performance with Sinéad O’Connor in London.

This year’s gig at Trafalgar Square is sure to have you jigging around with your friends and family and will no doubt be a highlight of the day’s festivities.

In 2010, Crystal Swing received The Best Newcomer Award at the Irish Entertainment Awards in Dublin and Derek was the proud winner of RTÉ’s Celebrity Bainisteoir.

The band’s fans describe them as “an excellent trio with great stage presence, performance and interaction with the audience”, so this year’s audience at Trafalgar Square is in for a treat.

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Celebrate St Patrick’s Day LONDON 2012

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Four Men and A Dog

Four Men and a Dog is an eclectic and vivacious blend of traditional Irish music with a wide spectrum of other genres including rap, southern rock, jazz, blues, bluegrass, polka, country swing, and even salsa.

The band’s unusual name comes from the nickname for their former member Mick Daly, who is affectionately known as ‘the Black Dog’.

Daly has since been replaced by Kevin Doherty who joins Cathal Hayden (fiddle), Gerry O’Connor (banjo, fiddle), Gino Lupari (bodhrán, bones, vocals), and Donal Murphy (accordion).

They made their debut performance as a band in Co. Derry in 1990 before going on to steal the show at the Belfast Folk Festival later that year.

Their high-energy style combines furious

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traditional dance tunes with irreverent new music and unique covers.

Barking Mad, their debut album won the Album of the Year from Folk Roots magazine in 1991the first time an Irish group had ever won the prize.

As one of the top Irish traditional bands of all time, this will be a performance not to be missed.

Celebrate St P LONDON

18

Hammerstep The first touring production of its kind, Hammerstep strives to overcome cultural and socioeconomic differences through rebellious forms of urban dance. They are completely unique in their mixing of traditional Irish step, tap, and hip hop dance forms.

By using cutting edge choreography, lights, and sound in a way that reinvents the typical dance show experience for an audience every show is memorable.

Their entertaining yet thought-provoking movement not only elevates dance to a new level but strives to spark social change in the process.

Hammerstep was founded in July 2009 by Jason Oremus and Garrett Coleman in Boston, Massachusetts. Oremus has been heavily involved in the dancing industry his entire life.

Originally from Sydney, Australia, he won five consecutive State and National Solo Irish dancing titles from 1999-2003. He also performed in the Sydney Olympics Opening Ceremony alongside Tap Dogs in 2000 when he was just 15.

Coleman was trained in traditional Irish step dance at the Burke School under Theresa Burke.

Despite his traditional background, he has consistently found himself drawn to rhythmically innovative types of movement that push the boundaries of athleticism through dance. In addition to Irish step, he has trained in hip hop, tap, and contemporary movement.

Chris Naish is an integral part of the Hammerstep mission and has the pedigree to match. Not only has Naish won every major championship in traditional Irish dancing, he has extensive professional touring experience — highlights including touring all 50 states of America with Lord of the Dance and being invited to dance at Michael Flatley’s personal corporate events.

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Celebrate St Patrick’s Day LONDON 2012

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Gemma Hayes ailing from Co. Tipperary, Gemma Hayes is a critically acclaimed and Mercury Prize-nominated musician sure to add flair to the day’s proceedings. Her unique style of music combines prog rock, folk and electronica.

Over the years her songs have appeared in countless TV programmes and films from Grey’s Anatomy to One Tree Hill and most recently The Vampire Diaries. She also featured in a duet with Norwegian singer Magnet on a Bob Dylan cover, Lay Lady Lay in the 2005 feature film Mr. & Mrs. Smith.

Her debut LP, Night on My Side, received much critical acclaim from all corners, garnering a UK Mercury Prize nomination and earning her an award as Ireland’s best female artist.

Hayes’ subsequent release, The Roads Don’t Love You, earned her yet another best female artist nod.

Rolling Stone magazine says she ‘possesses a commanding, alluring voice, winsome good looks and lyrics that tend to the lovelorn’.

One of eight children, Hayes immersed herself in music from an early age. Her father played keyboards in a local band so by the time she left for boarding school she was already proficient at piano.

Although Hayes enrolled at university in Dublin, she soon left to concentrate on music — working part-time in a launderette during the day and playing the city’s circuit at night.

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Celebrate St Patrick’s Day LONDON 2012

The High Kings I

reland’s Folk band of the year, The High Kings, will be rounding off the day’s proceedings.

Since they began, the band has sold out hundreds of shows in Ireland and the US, made numerous television appearances, and achieved platinum status with two albums.

The High Kings will showcase their incredible versatility and skills as multi-instrumentalists (playing 13 instruments between them) bringing a rousing acoustic flavour to brand new songs as well as some old favourites.

The band was formed in Dublin by Celtic Woman manager Dave Kavanagh. Brian Dunphy (son of Sean Dunphy who represented Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest 1967), and singer Darren Holden were the first members recruited having wowed the world with their own solo careers on

Broadway. Finbarr Clancy and Martin Furey were added to the mix shortly afterwards.

The group was launched amidst a media frenzy in 2008 and quickly climbed to the top of Amazon music charts worldwide with their debut album.

The self-titled release also hit number 2 on Billboard magazine’s world music chart.

They went on to stage a mammoth coast to coast US tour, and appeared on The Today Show, KTLA and ABC, whilst appearing on over 50 PBS stations to promote their live DVD. In May of last year The High Kings performed for President Obama when he visited Moneygall, Co. Offaly.

The High Kings are continuing to live up to their reputation as a phenomenal live band, serving up laughter, good times and even the odd singalong.

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CelebrateLONDON St. Patrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day 2012

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How to get to Trafalgar Square The festival begins at noon and finishes at 6pm. Alternative route planning for travel is essential.

To plan your journey, visit www.tfl.gov.uk/journeyplanner or text TFL to 60835 Identify a place to meet up in case you get separated from friends or family

Travel information Tube: The nearest tube stations are Charing Cross, Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus.

Train: Charing Cross Buses: 3, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 22, 23, 24, 38, 53, 77A, 88, 91, 94, 139, 159, 176, 453

The Parade Route The parade departs at noon.

Piccadilly Lower Regent Street Pall Mall East Trafalgar Square Whitehall Whitehall Place

THE CHURCHILL ARMS Wishes everyone a Happy St Patrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day Come and raise a glass with us Saturday 17th March 2012: 6 Nations Rugby shown live Ireland -v- England Raffle during the afternoon with rugby prizes in aid of charity Followed by celebrations late into the night The Churchill Arms, 119 Kensington Church Street, Kensington, London W8 7LN 020 7727 4242

Celebrate St P LONDON

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Summer of sport for T

he Irish Olympic team will march into London’s Olympic Stadium in Stratford’s Olympic Park on Friday, July 2, bearing the hopes and aspirations of Ireland’s sports crazy public — at home and overseas.

The London Olympics’ Opening Ceremony promises to be a show-stopping spectacular and will have a possible world TV audience of over 8billion people.

The President Michael D Higgins and An Taoiseach Enda Kenny are among the VIPs expected to attend the Opening Ceremony.

Olympic boxer Kenny Egan.

The Irish team will be one of over 200 countries participating in the Parade of Athletes at the Opening Ceremony and will be led into the Stadium by a flag bearer carrying the Irish Tricolour.

The flag bearer will be an athlete selected from the ranks of the team by the Olympic Council of Ireland a week before the event.

Previous flag bearers have included Ronnie Delany (athletics), Wayne McCullough (boxing), Francie Barrett (boxing), Sonia O’Sullivan (athletics), Niall Griffin (equestrian) and, in Beijing, Ciara Peelo (sailing).

The Irish team is a 32 county one and will compete in approximately 12 sports, subject to upcoming qualification events.

Irish competitors will definitely compete in the following sports — athletics, badminton, boxing, cycling, equestrian, gymnastics, sailing, shooting, swimming, triathlon. Other possibilities are in canoeing, men’s hockey, judo, modern pentathlon and rowing.

The team will number approximately 50 (the same size as the last Olympics in Beijing). This would change dramatically if the Irish men’s hockey team qualifies by winning the Olympic qualifying tournament being held in Belfield, Dublin in late March.

The team manager (Chef de Mission) is Ireland’s greatest woman athlete, silver medallist Sonia O’Sullivan from Cobh who is making her Olympic Games debut in a management position. Sonia has already had excellent experience managing athletic squads in Australia and was Assistant Chef de Mission for Ireland’s European Youth Olympic team in Finland.

The Irish athletes will be supported by individual team managers and coaches. There is also a top quality medical and sports science team led by Dr. Sean Gaine, a consultant at Dublin’s Mater Hospital. This team includes doctors, physiotherapists, masseurs and sports psychologists.

Team Ireland will be based in the Olympic Village, a high rise development in the Olympic Park where they will have access to running trails, a poly clinic and a full range of support services.

Managing Team Ireland’s office in the Village will be Stephen Martin from Hollywood, Co. Down who has won gold and bronze medals for Great Britain in hockey and Corkman Martin Burke who is the Olympic Council’s sports director.

Many of the athletes will be availing of the superb Pre-Games training facilities at St. Mary’s University at Twickenham where Team Ireland will have its main training and preparation base. St. Mary’s, under the guidance of Professor Dick Fisher, have given the Irish team full use of the

extensive and state of art facilities on the campus.

The university will undoubtedly give Team Ireland a very warm welcome due to the close relationship built over the years with the hundreds of Irish students who graduated there.

This is effectively a ‘home’ Olympics for Ireland and the public will be buoyed by a couple of Olympic events being held at home, in addition to London’s St. Patrick’s Festival.

First up was the success of the Olympic Council’s celebration of Ireland’s participation in the 1948 London Olympic Games where Ireland won a bronze medal in the art section with a painting

by Letitia Hamilton of the Meath Point to Point.

Held on March 9 in Farmleigh, the Government’s hospitality house beside the Phoenix Park, Dublin, this event was attended by seven surviving members of that 1948 team plus their families.

All the survivors received a special Olympic Medal of Honour in recognition of their participation 64 years ago at London’s last Olympics.

There is huge public excitement and anticipation of the arrival of the Olympic Flame in the Republic on June 6. This historic event follows extensive international negotiations by Pat Hickey, President of the Olympic Council of Ireland with the full support of Lord Sebastian Coe and his team at the London Organising Committee (LOCOG).

The Flame will cross the border early on the morning of the 6th for a three-hour symbolic visit to celebrate the role of sport in the peace process and the fact that the Irish team for London is an all-Ireland one.

Due to the shortness of the visit, the torch bearers will number about 40 and will be representative of Irish life and sport. The Olympic Flame will tour around the city of Dublin over a 12k route which will include Howth, Croke Park and the Garden of Remembrance, and will finish at Dublin’s historic Mansion House where an Olympic cauldron will be lit. The Flame will then be transported by road convoy to Belfast for that city’s tour.

The final Irish Olympic squad will be announced at a major function in Dublin on July 4 before the team departs for London for the sporting extravaganza of the year.

Paralympic cyclist Catherine Walsh.

t Patrick’s Day

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DON 2012

r the Irish Paralympic rowing team Sarah Caffrey, Kevin Du Toit and Shane Ryan on the River Shannon. Pic Malcolm McNally

Ireland’s Paralympians ELITE athletes from Ireland’s 2012 Paralympics team are among the crowds celebrating at this year’s St Patrick’s Day festivities.

With an exciting sporting year ahead they hope to drum up as much support as possible from the Irish in Britain for the Paralympic tournament this summer — while joining in the fun of our annual festival celebrating all things Irish.

‘Wear green and support your team this summer’ is the message from Liam Harbison, Paralympic Council of Ireland CEO and Chef de Mission for the 2012 team.

“2012 is a huge year for Irish sport but also for the city of London,” he said. “The eyes of the world will be on the city for a stunning six-week festival of sport covering the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the Paralympics in London is a huge opportunity for the Irish Diaspora to become aware of and celebrate the elite abilities of Ireland’s Paralympians.

“We are delighted to be here supporting the St Patrick’s Festival with you in London and we look forward to receiving your support later this year.”

Among the Paralympians you might spot in Trafalgar Square are world-

champion tandemcyclists Catherine Walsh and Fran Meehan and Ireland’s rowing team Kevin Du Toit, Sarah Caffrey, Shane Ryan, Anne Marie McDaid and Helen Arbuthnot.

All of whom have already qualified for the 2012 team, alongside athletics stars Michael McKiIllop, Jason Smyth and Catherine O’Neill, hand cyclist Mark Rohan and cyclist Colin Lynch.

“The Irish Team is preparing well for the Paralympics and we are looking to excite and surprise many people by exceptional performances in London,” Mr Harbison said.

“We will travel to London with high hopes of achieving our target of five medals and the Irish in Britain can play a huge part by supporting the team — so wear green and fly the flag for your Paralympic Team later this year.”

A total of 22 athletes have qualified for the Irish Paralympic team to date. The PCI expects to field a team of up to 42 for the 2012 Games, which run from August 29 September 9. See www.paralympics.ie

Olympic team salutes the Irish in Britain IRISH Olympians are gearing up for a summer of sport in London by attending the St Patrick’s Day festival in Trafalgar Square.

Catch your favourites at the parade as Ireland Olympic Chef de Mission and former Olympic silver medallist Sonia O’Sullivan leads the charge representing the Ireland team.

Keep your eyes peeled for the athletics star, who will be joined by home-grown Irish gymnast Kieran Behan, high-jumper Deirdre Ryan and boxer Kenneth Egan — who have all qualified to represent Ireland in the London 2012 Games.

Olympic Council of Ireland President Pat Hickey won’t make the St Patrick’s Day Festival celebrations but sent the following message to revellers: “The Irish Olympic team salutes the Irish in Britain on the occasion of the St Patrick’s Day Festival.

“This superb event is the start of the team’s journey to the London Olympics in July and it is great that several of our Olympians will participate in the Festival Parade to highlight what will be the sporting event of the year.”

He added: “Team Ireland looks forward to going for gold at the Games with the full support of the

Gymnast Kieran Behan.

Irish community in London and throughout Britain.”

Ireland’s Olympians will be joined by member of the Olympic Council’s Executive Board, William O’Brien, Peadar Casey, Dermot Sherlock and Dermot Henihan.

To date, 27 athletes have qualified for the Irish Olympic team in six sports and the OCI expects to field a team of approximately 50 in 10 sports by the end of the qualification period in June.

Chef de Mission and former Olympic silver medallist Sonia O’Sullivan.

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CelebrateLONDON St. Patrick’s Day 2012

Pat’s party-goers A

ccording to legend, God will allow St Patrick to judge the Irish on the Last Day. Untroubled by this thought, party-goers round the world celebrate Patrick’s feast day with levels of craic ‘n’ roll well in excess of sensible limits given the saint’s significant role in granting admission to the hereafter.

Gargantuan volumes of green beer are consumed in honour of the man who spread Christianity throughout Ireland — although St Patrick himself would have been a complete stranger to those two wild horsemen, merriment and revelry.

The words “Did anybody remember the bottle opener?” are unlikely ever to have passed his lips.

Austere would probably be too chipper a word for the saint’s religious outlook, so it’s something of a mystery why he should have become one of the three most popular partying saints in the world — alongside those other saintly A-listers St Valentine (also buried in Ireland) and St Nicholas.

From reptiles to racing cars It’s likely the Apostle of Ireland was christened Maewyn Succat — the Pat was pending, so to speak.

The son of a minor Roman official, he was probably born in Scotland — a Roman in the gloamin’ — and is buried in Downpatrick.

Aside from his

missionary work, Patrick single-handedly launched the shamrock as Ireland’s national logo — leading us to a particularly succulent globule of trivia: the first motor race in these islands, the Gordon Bennett Tournament just over 100 years ago, centred on Athy. According to legend, the British participants, the Napier cars, were painted green in honour of the shamrock, and for the best part of a century British Racing Green remained the official colour of all UK Grand Prix cars.

At the other end of the speed scale, Patrick reputedly drove the snakes out of Ireland — hence his nick-name ‘the snake harmer’.

Snakes have a top speed of 8mph, so how the saint managed this is something of a logistical mystery. When he first came to Ireland as a slave he tended pigs, so maybe he had a way with animals. Or maybe he had an oul’ bike that today is rusting away waiting to be turned into a holy relic. At any rate, Ireland remains one of only three places on the planet without snakes — alongside Iceland and New Zealand. St Patrick probably never visited either, but you can be sure his day is suitably celebrated in both parishes.

Land of saints and dollars St Patrick’s Day is only a statutory holiday in Ireland, Montserrat and the province of Newfoundland — but is today celebrated worldwide.

The largest parades are in Dublin, Britain and the US — a bitterly cold March 17 parade in Seattle once spawned the definitive St Patrick’s Day headline “Erin go brrrr”.

The world’s first St Patrick’s Day parade was held in Boston, 1737, although the New York parade is the longest continuously held event. Today it’s a cross between Mardi Gras and a fleadh with levels of craic probably way above those permitted under the Geneva Convention.

Many Irish societies fly thousands of miles to march the two miles uptown, and any American politician standing for office within a two hundred mile radius usually finds time to make the trek. Irish politicians from both sides of the border fetch up in the city once memorably described as being “like a beautiful woman smoking” — but for one day at least it’s a red-haired colleen from the Emerald Isle.

Mal Rogers looks at how St Patrick’s Day is celebrated around the world

Pat facts In the ancient grounds of Down Cathedral lies the grave of St Patrick. According to legend Ireland’s two other patron saints, Brigid and Colmcille, keep him eternal company in the simple grave.

Although many Pat facts are disputed, it seems fairly certain he was responsible for spreading the Gospel in a country where, according to legend, no word for ‘sobriety’ existed. Indeed such was his success, Ireland became the only country to embrace Christianity without bloodshed or martyrdom. Well, almost without bloodshed. While baptising Aengus, King of Cashel, in 445, St Patrick unwittingly stuck the spike of his crozier through his new convert’s foot. When later asked why he had not cried out, Aengus replied that he thought it was all part of the ceremony.

Today’s celebration of St Patrick’s Day in Downpatrick is quite a sedate affair.

Contemplation of how Patrick got his Old Antioch Roadshow underway is high on the agenda.

Meanwhile, Dublin’s festival stretches over five days and includes music, theatre, family carnivals, giant puppetry, dance, fireworks and whatever you’re having yourself, while London’s celebrations, despite criticism from Boris Johnson, will proceed at full throttle.

Far flung festivities Wherever, festivities duly take place. The Ulster Museum in Belfast has a bone from the saint’s hand, while France boasts possession of the relic of the Apostle’s pelvic bone.

England also claims the remains of Patrick (presumably minus hand and pelvis). The saint, according to local legend, ended his days at Glastonbury — the Chapel of St Patrick remains part of Glastonbury Abbey. An Irish pilgrimage to his tomb around AD 688 may have led to the whole King Arthur legend, often believed to be a myth thought up and perpetuated by Irish monks living in the vicinity of Glastonbury trying to publicise their holy presence in Somerset. St Patrick’s Day is still celebrated there with some fervour.

Simply divine Disneyland in Paris boasts a huge St Patrick’s Day parade and party. The likes of Mickey Mouse and his good lady Minnie will be dressed for the

Celebrate St Patrick’s Day LONDON 2012

occasion, and ready to sing ‘Celtic songs’.

Perhaps Minnie will serenade Mickey with: “Are ye right there Michael, are ye right?”, or perhaps even a rewrite of The Fields of Athenry, “Michael Mouse, they are taking you away...”

Even Sleeping Beauty Castle will become a glow of green under dazzling bursts of fireworks, just as St Patrick would have wanted.

A more subdued religious dimension attaches to proceedings in the Loire valley. A legend persists that on making good his escape from Ireland, Patrick headed for Tours where his uncle Martin was bishop. En route he performed the odd miracle, and in his honour three towns dedicated churches to him: Saint Patrice, Saint Patrice-deClaids and Saint Patrice-du-Desert.

Meanwhile in nearby Sandillon the local church contains the afore-mentioned relic of St Patrick’s pelvic bone (La relique de l’irlandais) brought to France by a neer-do-well aristocrat trying to atone for a very grave deed, which I’m sure you’d rather not hear about. Oh go on then — it seems the local Comte murdered his chaplain, an Irishman, while celebrating Mass. Consumed with remorse, le Comte went to Ireland to fetch a suitable relic for the church in atonement.

The Czar of the Co. Down Although France boasts several towns named after the Apostle of Ireland, curiously none exist in Ireland — even St Patrick’s Island belongs to the Isle of Man. Downpatrick and St Patrick’s Purgatory are about as close as you’ll get. (While

on the subject, Dante’s The Divine Comedy was influenced by tales of pilgrimages to Pat’s Purg.)

Russia is also conspicuously short on Pat names.

The country shares its patron saint with Scotland — St Andrew — but nonetheless the collective Russian hair is let down on March 17.

Russia has honoured the Co. Down saint over the years with various celebrations — parades, fireworks, and even a dog-show of Irish wolfhounds. (Wolfhounds were, according to legend, the first living creatures to meet Patrick on his arrival on Ireland’s shores.

So they deserve some canine craic.

The Japanese will celebrate St Patrick in Tokyo, Yokohama, Ise and Kyote with bands, parades and an Emerald Ball. Throughout Spain — where there appears to be no direct translation for “Could you calm down a bit?” — the Apostle’s day will be celebrated with fireworks and fiestas.

The Other Emerald Isle Much of the population of the Caribbean island of Montserrat is of Irish descent. Their March 17 festival includes a “Slave Feast” to commemorate a slave uprising on St Patrick’s Day, 1768 — entirely appropriate as St Patrick was the first person in recorded history to speak out against slavery. The festival also boasts traditional dancing, kite-flying, parades and a giant kneesup of pagan abandon.

Rome also celebrates March 17 in some style — not that surprising given the saint’s Roman

29

blood. Toasting Patrick with pizza and pizzazz in the piazza is singularly fitting, as well as satisfyingly alliterative.

All countries with a sizeable Irish population have their own St Patrick’s Day’s celebration.

Australia, Canada, Argentina and South Africa all mark the day with varying degrees of saintliness.

Only one other country boasts St Patrick as the official patron saint - Nigeria. The Apostle of Ireland was promoted to that position in 1961.

Pat at the Pearly Gates One March 17, sometime around the year 493, was St Patrick’s last day on earth, his first day in heaven. Had he been a betting man — an unlikely scenario, admittedly — it’s doubtful if he would have laid a wager with St Peter that the name St Patrick would continue to be revered throughout the world some 1,500 years later. But incredibly, that’s what happened. Despite knowing little about this ascetic man, the world has taken him to his heart — if he knew the bacchanalian excesses enacted in his name he would likely say: “I’m a celibate, get me out of here!”

But Ireland has much to thank St Patrick for, so this March 17 raise a toast to the Apostle of Ireland, first Primate of Armagh, missionary, teacher, pig farmer, snake charmer, slave and botany expert — then head for the nearest party and set your inner leprechaun free.

Celebrate St Patrick’s Day LONDON 2012

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Dreaming of the perfect stout Each week in The Irish Post our undercover reviewer gives his verdict on the best pint in town. Here’s his special St Patrick’s Day report...

Stout had a dream about St Patrick. He came to Ireland in the name of porter. He didn’t travel by boat but by skiff — it was a decision he made in the interests of speed.

The publicans who followed from Britain, they travelled overnight by Rail and Sail, £66 return.

St Patrick didn’t carry a staff, but a huge thermometer to test the temperature of all the black stuff he was going to drink. If anyone tried to pull a pint in one go, he said it would be handy for dishing out a whack or two.

There were no snakes, he said, only bad pints. His mission was to drive them out of the country. Ireland was only a sub-contract though really. Tackling Britain, that was the big thing.

His first job was to try and drive down the price. He rounded up all the British-based publicans at Dublin Port and had them bussed to the Guinness Brewery at St James’s Gate. It was early, but they weren’t allowed into the canteen for the famed fry.

He said this was no school tour.

St Patrick pointed to the Liffey and told them all they’d be going for a dip if they

ever poured a pint with bubbles in the head.

He demanded the publicans take notes. He said they should have been made to do so the first time they were over and was outraged to learn this was the first time for many of them.

St Patrick went into a furious rage and threated to pull the plug on the whole thing, even the visit to the Sky Bar. The publicans pleaded with the thermometer-waving saint. Eventually, the tour continued after a union rep stepped forward to say the publicans agreed to lower the price of a pint of Guinness in Britain.

The tour resumed. The Sky Bar was full to bursting. Queen Elizabeth II was behind the counter pulling pints. She leaned against the bar and said she had decided to return after her official state visit nine months ago. It was because of the Guinness, she said.

St Patrick told the publicans to follow her lead. “Hold the glass at a 45-degree angle,” he said. “Then let it rest on the drip try after it has been filled three-quarters of the way up.

“Stand on the counter, make some small

STOUT ’N’ ABOUT With Irish Post THE

talk — like the Queen is doing — and complete the top up.

“That’s right, over the top of the glass,” he insisted. “So a nice dome is formed.”

St Patrick was running late, so he asked one of the porters to call him a taxi. The porter said there was no need. Dublin had changed since his last visit. The porter said it was easier to hail one off the street, with the deregulation and all.

So he left to round up the bad pints and issued instructions on how to pull better ones when the publicans returned to Britain.

If he was giving his name to a day of national celebration, then the least they could do was honour that day with good pints. Heck, the last line is the only part of Stout’s dream that makes sense. Happy St Patrick’s Day, drink sensibly and all that.

Fancy a pint on St Patrick’s Festival day? Here’s a few nearby pubs The Harp 47 Chandos Place Covent Garden London WC2N 4HS 020 7836 0291

Waxy O’Connor’s 14-16 Rupert Street Leicester Square London W1D 6DD 020 7287 0255

The Porterhouse 21-22 Maiden Lane Covent Garden London WC2 E7NA 020 7379 7917

The Lamb and Flag 33 Rose Street Covent Garden London WC2E 9EB 020 7497 9504

101 Bar 101 New Oxford Street London WC1A 1DB 020 7379 3112

The Porcupine 48 Charing Cross Road London WC2H 0BS 020 7379 9855

The Tipperary (pictured) 66 Fleet Street London EC4Y 1HT 020 7583 6470

Waxy’s Little Sister 20 Wardour Street London W1D 6QG 020 7287 8987

Ye Olde Cheddar Cheese 145 Fleet Street London EC4A 2BU 020 7353 6170

Shakespeare’s Head 29 Great Marlborough Street London W1F 7HZ 0871 258 9604

The Toucan 19 Carlisle Street Off Soho Square London W1V 5RJ 020 7437 4123

O’Neill’s 14 New Row Covent Garden London WC2N 4LF 020 3077 1129

The Argyll Arms 18 Argyll Street London W1F 7TP 020 7734 6117

The French House 49 Dean Street London W1D 5BG 020 7437 2477

Tell us which pub has the best pint of Guinness in Britain Go online and visit The Irish Post’s forum

www.irishpost.co.uk

CelebrateLONDON St. Patrick’s Day 2012

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Festival listings… events across London THURSDAY, FROM MARCH 1 Art Exhibition by Award-Winning London Irish Artist Mark Cahillane In Work, Rest, and Play, Cahillane captures the grit of the inner-city life that he experienced growing up as one of London’s Irish immigrants in the 1960s.

The London Irish Centre, 50-52 Camden Square, London, NW1 9XB. 020 7916 2222. Free entry. www.londonirishcentre.org FRIDAY, MARCH 9 Around the Fire Storytelling Presents — Emer O’Connor with Bloody Bulls The final Around the Fire Storytelling event of this season is Emer O’Connor with Bloody Bulls. O’Connor and musician Charlie Henry explore myths of ancient Ulster. This show is about the women of ancient Irish myth. They are fighters, leaders and lovers and they are all united by their ties to one man.

Emer, Charlie and producer Kerry Irvine drag myths of Ulster kicking and screaming into the present.

The Irish Cultural Centre, Black’s Road, Hammersmith, London, W6 9DT. 020 8563 8232. 8pm, £6. www.irishculturalcentre.co.uk

FRIDAY, MARCH 9 Comhaltas Special Celebration A very special Comhaltas night in celebration of the lives of John and Joan Burke. The Burkes were founder members both of the first Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann branch in England and of Gasra Na nGael. Gasra promotes céilí dancing and Comhaltas promotes traditional Irish music and culture.

Live music. All welcome.

The Irish Cultural Centre, Black’s Road, Hammersmith, London, W6 9DT. 020 8563 8232. 8pm, Free entry. www.irishculturalcentre.co.uk SATURDAY, MARCH 10 Master Workshop: Aidan Burke, Fiddle — The Burke Memorial Master Class Series Born of Sligo and Tipperary parents, Aidan Burke was brought up in the Irish culture of music, song and dance. He was playing and dancing at an early age — the drums at age two, dancing at age five. Having Kevin Burke (fiddle player in The Bothy Band) as a first cousin, he was destined to play the fiddle and started at the age of eight.

Aidan has won 20 first place titles on his main instruments between Fleadh Cheoil na Breataine and Fleadh na hÉireann competitions.

The Irish Cultural Centre, Black’s Road, Hammersmith, London, W6 9DT. The Master Workshops run from 11am-4pm with an hour’s break for lunch. Please email Brendan Mulkere at jmulkere@hotmail.com or call 07879 811354. £25/£20. www.irishculturalcentre.co.uk SUNDAY, MARCH 11 Mulkere Academy and Friends St Patrick’s Showcase This event showcases the talent and achievements of the students of the Mulkere Academy. Customarily they are joined on stage by friends of the academy. Guests for this event are yet to be confirmed. A relaxed afternoon open to all.

The Irish Cultural Centre, Black’s Road, Hammersmith, London, W6 9DT. 020 8563 8232. 2.30pm, £7/£5. www.irishculturalcentre.co.uk FRIDAY, MARCH 16 Irish Language Night Out (Seachtain Na Gaeilge) It’s Irish language week in Ireland so if you’re a learner, a speaker or just interested in the language, get yourself down to the Irish Centre in Camden.

There is going to be a night of free learning, fun and culture.

The London Irish Centre, 50-52 Camden Square, London, NW1 9XB. 020 7916 2222. 7pm. www.londonirishcentre.org FRIDAY, MARCH 16 Film Screening — Kings Tom Collins’ Kings chronicles the fate of a gang of Irishmen who have made the move to the hard streets of London.

Adapted from Jimmy Murphy’s acclaimed play The Kings of the Kilburn High Road, this downbeat affair sees the four hard-drinking Irish ex-patriots reunite in Kilburn for the wake of their friend Jackie, found dead on the tracks of the Underground. Prepare to be moved.

The London Irish Centre, 50-52 Camden Square, London, NW1 9XB. 020 7916 2222. 8pm, free. www.londonirishcentre.org FRIDAY, MARCH 16 Free Céilí and Celebration of Irish Culture A celebration of Irish music and dance for families and all ages. Plenty of live music and a caller to help you learn the moves — a great start to the weekend.

The London Irish Centre, 50-52 Camden Square, London, NW1 9XB. 020 7916 2222. 7.30-10.30am. Free entry. www.londonirishcentre.org

o t f l e s r u o y e g n e l l Cha a Cycle that matters!

Join us on a Kingspan IHF challenge in aid of the Irish Hospice Foundation

DUBLIN to LONDON 7 – 12 July 2012

For more info call 1890 717 000 or log on to www.hospice-foundation.ie

LYON to NICE 22 – 28 July 2012

Proudly sponsored by

Celebrate St P LONDON

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Festival listings… eve FRIDAY, MARCH 16 Whipping Boy at the Barfly Camden Don’t miss the first show in ages from cult Irish rockers Whipping Boy. The group came to prominence in the mid1990s with their tales of everyday life and love, seen through the world-weary and cynical eyes of frontman Ferghal McKee. Support from Tieranniesaur and Dead School.

The Bar Fly, 49 Chalk Farm Road, Camden, London, NW1 8AN. 020 7688 8994. Over 18s, 7.30pm, £8.

FRIDAY, MARCH 16 AND SATURDAY, MARCH 17 New Irish Theatre and Dinner Fresh from Bewley’s Theatre in Dublin, Amy De Bhrun presents two shows over two nights. Friday is Life: A One Woman Show and Saturday is The Money Man. The London Irish Centre, 50-52 Camden Square, London, NW1 9XB. 020 7916 2222. Theatre and three-course meal: £25, 7.30pm. www.londonirishcentre.org SATURDAY, MARCH 17 St Patrick’s Day at the Medieval Banquet Four-course, medieval-themed banquets with unlimited ale and wine take place

by torchlight in the vaulted cellar of Ivory House, where, accompanying King Henry VIII, there are knights, jesters, strongmen, contortionists, dancers and magicians. Those wishing to get in on ye olde act can hire a costume on arrival. The evening concludes with a disco.

Ivory House, St Katherine’s Dock, London, E1W 1BP. 020 7480 5353. £49.95/£30 adults/children (age 4-17). www.medievalbanquet.com SATURDAY, MARCH 17 St Patrick’s Day with Camille O’Sullivan at the Roundhouse: A Celebration of Irish Music and Culture The evening event in the Main Space will be headlined by Ireland’s dynamic chanteuse, Camille O’Sullivan, “a cross between Patti Smith, Sally Bowles and PJ Harvey” according to The Scotsman.

O’Sullivan will be playing a full set with her band, to be followed by a late-night céilí. She has built her award-winning reputation with red hot torch song interpretations of the work of Jacques Brel, Nick Cave, Tom Waits and Kurt Weill.

The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Road, London, NW1 8EH. 0844 482 8008. £17.50. www.roundhouse.org.uk

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SATURDAY, MARCH 17 The Stars of The Commitments at the O2 Surely one of the biggest St Patrick’s Day gigs London has seen for a long time. The all-singing, all-playing stars of Alan Parker’s movie The Commitments will rouse an eager audience into dancing along to classics like Mustang Sally, I Can’t Stand The Rain and Try A Little Tenderness.

The O2, Peninsula Square, SE10 0DX. 0844 856 0202. 6.30pm, from £51.25. www.theo2.co.uk SATURDAY, MARCH 17 Searching for the Celtic Soul Rebels: The Irish Influence in UK Music An enthralling and provocative seminar on the Irish influence on British popular music, from the Sex Pistols to the Smiths to Oasis. Lively discussion and debate guaranteed.

The London Irish Centre, 50-52 Camden Square, London, NW1 9XB. 020 7916 2222. 11am-1pm, £8. www.londonirishcentre.org SATURDAY, 17 MARCH Tír Na nÓg St Patrick’s Morning Fun for Kids Give the kids a taste of Irish culture and

fun at this special St Patrick’s morning.

Expect arts and crafts, games, céilí for kids and Irish myths. Suitable for ages 5 to 10.

The London Irish Centre, 50-52 Camden Square, London, NW1 9XB. 020 7916 2222. 11am-1pm, £5 per child to cover materials. www.londonirishcentre.org SATURDAY, MARCH 17 Lunch Lecture: The Story of the Irish in Britain Tony Murray of the Irish Studies Centre at London Metropolitan University will present a lively lecture on London’s oldest migrant community. Expect discussion and debate.

The London Irish Centre, 50-52 Camden Square, London, NW1 9XB. 020 7916 2222. 2-4pm, £8. www.londonirishcentre.org SATURDAY, MARCH 17 Traditional Irish Music Session Treat yourself to an after-work pint in the hub bar and a few tunes to warm up (or wind down) for St Patrick’s night.

There will also be some culinary treats on offer from the kitchen.

The London Irish Centre, 50-52 Camden Square, London, NW1 9XB. 020 7916 2222. 4.30-7.30pm, free entry. www.londonirishcentre.org

Sligo City Hotel Room rates from €69

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Surf the world renowned Atlantic waves at Strandhill. Take a river, lake or sea fishing trip. Go hill walking, horseriding, swimming and lots more!

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t Patrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day

35

DON 2012

events across London SATURDAY, MARCH 17 St Patrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Afternoon Dance & Bacon and Cabbage Dinner Every year the London Irish Centre in Camden throws a huge afternoon dinner and dance for the elderly Irish of the area. Come along to this afternoon of live music and dance, a bacon and cabbage dinner and a bingo raffle.

The London Irish Centre, 50-52 Camden Square, London, NW1 9XB. 020 7916 2222. Doors open at 1pm, buffet lunch at 1.30pm, dinner 4.30pm, ÂŁ15. www.londonirishcentre.org SATURDAY, MARCH 17 A Proper Irish St Patrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Party Join the big Irish pub quiz, enjoy great food and drink or simply party to the live house band. Food will also be available to order from the kitchen.

The London Irish Centre, 50-52 Camden Square, London, NW1 9XB. 020 7916 2222. 8pm. Free entry. www.londonirishcentre.org SATURDAY, MARCH 17 Four Men and A Dog Four Men and A Dog emerged in 1990 during the Belfast Folk Festival. The band plays Irish traditional music with a mixture of different genres, including rock, jazz, blues, bluegrass, swing, salsa,

polka and even rap.

The Irish Cultural Centre, Blackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Road, Hammersmith, W6 9DT. 020 8563 8232. Doors 7.30pm, Tickets ÂŁ18/ÂŁ15 concession. www.irishculturalcentre.co.uk SATURDAY, MARCH 17 Damien Dempseyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s St Patrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day Show 2012 Dublinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favourite singer songwriter Damien Dempsey returns to London for a very special show on St Patrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day at the HMV Forum, Kentish Town.

Damien headlined the 2011 London Trafalgar Square St Patrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day celebrations to huge crowds and is always assured of a warm welcome in London. Damien will be joined by some special guests on the night and this promises to be a rousing way to spend your St Patrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day evening.

HMV Forum, 9-17 Highgate Road, Kentish Town, London, NW5 1JY. 020 7428 4099. 7pm, ÂŁ15. Strictly over 14s only, under 16s with an adult , photo ID required.

SATURDAY, MARCH 17 AND SUNDAY, MARCH 18 Where the String Broke: Irish historical walk through Camden If you were Irish in the 50s, 60s and 70s

and looking for â&#x20AC;&#x153;the startâ&#x20AC;?, â&#x20AC;&#x153;a dossâ&#x20AC;?, â&#x20AC;&#x153;a bit of a danceâ&#x20AC;? or just a â&#x20AC;&#x153;gargleâ&#x20AC;? and the â&#x20AC;&#x153;craicâ&#x20AC;?, Camden Town was your only place! This walk will evoke the golden age of Irish Camden Town. It visits one of the great Irish dance halls, the first pub in the world to host a traditional Irish music session and the site of English v Irish Navvy riot of 1846! Take in the canal, Dingwalls, Arlington House and the Roundhouse on this fascinating meander through Irish London history.

Meet at Camden Town Tube station (Kentish Town Road exit â&#x20AC;&#x201D; look for the London Irish umbrella), 10.30am. Book in advance by email: tonymcdonnellbbg@hotmail.com SATURDAY, MARCH 17 AND SUNDAY, MARCH 18 Emerald City Walking Tour From St Paulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cathedral to Covent Garden Opera House via Fleet Street and the Temple, you will be enthralled by this two-hour walking exploration of the capitalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Irish connections. WB Yeats, Charles Stewart Parnell, George Bernard Shaw, Theobald Wolfe Tone and Oscar Wilde are just some of the great names of Irelandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s past, whose lives in the great metropolis will be recounted by your expert London Blue Badge

Tourist Guide.

Meet at steps of St Paulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cathedral, 2pm. Book in advance by email: tonymcdonnellbbg@hotmail.com SUNDAY, MARCH 18 St Patrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pre-parade Irish Breakfast and Mass St Patrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mass at 9am followed by a tasty full Irish breakfast at 9.45am at The London Irish Centre. Everyone then walks to the parade together.

The London Irish Centre, 50-52 Camden Square, London, NW1 9XB. 020 7916 2222. ÂŁ6, must book in advance. www.londonirishcentre.org SUNDAY, MARCH 18 Gaelic Voices Festival: A Celebration of the Gaelic Languages in Music and Song An evening concert at the London Irish Centre in Camden, with Sean-NĂłs singer and piper from Connemara Meaiti Jo Sheaumuis Ă&#x201C; Fatharta, Scottish singer and piper Grio Gair Labhruid H, and Belfast singer GrĂĄinne Holland and band with special guests.

The London Irish Centre, 50-52 Camden Square, London, NW1 9XB. 020 7916 2222. Workshops 12-4pm, ÂŁ4; Free session, 4-7pm; Concert, 7.30-11pm, ÂŁ10. www.londonirishcentre.org

MILTON KEYNES IRISH CENTRE PRESENTS:

FESTIVAL OF IRISH CULTURE SATURDAY 17TH MARCH - SATURDAY 24TH MARCH 2012

St Patrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day Parade Saturday 17th March Assemble at Irish Centre at 1.30pm Parade starts at 2.00pm â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to Bandstand, Bletchley â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Long Distanceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; at bandstand 2pm Join in our parade â&#x20AC;&#x201C; everyone is welcome!

Downstairs at the centre there will be Dance displays from Mc Gill School of Irish Dancing Julie Herlihy School of Irish Dancing Mary Drake School of Irish Dancing At the centre from approx 4-5pm Milton Keynes Set Dancers 9.45pm Live music upstairs from 4-8pm 8pm till late Music from â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Long Distanceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and Eamonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Country Sounds Admission ÂŁ2.00 (members) ÂŁ3.00 (non members)

WEDNESDAY 14TH MARCH Bacon & Cabbage lunch Served at 12.30pm â&#x20AC;&#x201C; (must be booked) Tel. Mary: 07986089898 or Sheila 01908 583774 to book. ÂŁ5.00 all proceeds to our charity â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Little Livesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

FRIDAY 23rd MARCH FILM SHOW FROM VAGABOND CINEMA Details to follow Admission ÂŁ3.00 Children free

SATURDAY 24th MARCH Live music with

MONDAY 19TH MARCH 7.30pm London Irish Theatre presents A new play

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;SET DANCERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

A comedy written and directed

by John Dunne Tickets ÂŁ3.00 Children free

Tom Healey Band ÂŁ5.00 admission Doors open 7pm Sponsored by: Irish Immigrant Support Programme â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Bletchley & Fenny Town Council â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Milton Keynes Irish Centre

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Celebrate St Patrick’s Day LONDON 2012

Festival listings…

SUNDAY, MARCH 18 St Patrick’s Céilí The Camden Irish Centre has been throwing a weekly céilí for decades.

Don your glad rags and learn the steps from experienced dancers and tutors. A great night out! Starts 8pm, tickets £4.

The London Irish Centre, 50-52 Camden Square, London, NW1 9XB. 020 7916 2222. www.londonirishcentre.org SATURDAY, MARCH 17 St Patrick’s Day Parade, Willesden Cheer on the parade that leaves Willesden Green Station at 2pm along the route of Willesden High Road to the library centre, where there will be a stage with many performers including Irish dancers and singers. There will also be stalls at the library centre with a variety of food and drink and if all that is not enough, you can even take the children on fairground rides from the George Irwin funfair. The event will finish at 7.30pm — no parking is available on or near the site so please go green and use public transport.

Free, 2pm.

FRIDAY, MARCH 30 Brian Kelly, Chris O’Malley, Alex Percy, Sam Proctor and Tad Sargent An evening that will bring together some of the finest exponents of traditional Irish music from across Britain. Brian Kelly took lessons from the influential Brendan Mulkere and went on to win All-Ireland titles on both the banjo and mandolin. Chris O’Malley (piano/piano accordion) is from Leeds and is highly sought after both as a tune player and backer.

Alex Percy is a second-generation folk musician from Dorset performing music from the English, Irish and Scottish traditions on fiddle, guitar and vocals. Sam Proctor from Nottingham is on fiddle. He is the anchor musician at many sessions in central London and has performed extensively throughout Britain. Tad Sargent is a well-known session musician in London, hosting the Thursday evening session at the Dukes Head in Richmond, and regularly performs with many of the best musicians in town.

The Irish Cultural Centre, Black’s Road, Hammersmith, W6 9DT. 020 8563 8232. 7.30pm, £10. www.irishculturalcentre.co.uk

Offaly Association (London)

37

The London Kerry Association wish everyone a wonderful St Patrick’s Day Come and join in the St Patrick’s Day Parade and show London how the Irish celebrate.

We are having a St Patricks Day Party on Saturday 3rd March in the Kingdom Bar Kilburn High Road London NW6 7JG from 9pm all welcome music and buffet no cover charge.

If you would like to be part of the Kerry Association we meet on the first Wednesday of every month at The Kingdom Bar, 229 Kilburn High Road, NW6 or or email us on info@kerryassociationlondon.co.uk or check us out on facebook

The Irish Cultural Centre London REPORT TO ‘CRAIC’ HEADQUARTERS THIS ST PATRICK’S DAY! Find it all at ICC from midday to late!

G Facepainting G Lifesize leprauchauns G Traditional Music G Storytelling G Traditional storytelling G Six Nations rugby on a HUGE screen Followed by

The best St Patrick’s party in town with the legendary supported by

Tel: 020 8563 8232 Email: info@irishculturalcentre.co.uk — www.irishculturalcentre.co.uk

Remember your Loved Ones with Memorial Lights

(Affiliated to the Council of Irish County Associations)

Happy St Patrick’s Day to all you Offaly people Thanks for the support at our 50th anniversary celebrations. It was a great night. Thanks to each and everyone who attended.

Do come along to our AGM on Sunday, March 25th at 3pm at the London Irish Centre, Camden NW1.

All enquiries see www.offalyassociation1962.co.uk, Contact chairman Denis 020 8200 3039 or Peter, secretary & P.R.O 020 8202 2225, peteroffaly@googlemail.com

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CelebrateLONDON St. Patrick’s Day 2012

38

Keeping in touch Contact information you might find useful

To cont

Irish aPctothe s call 020 8900 t

4137 or see ou r w e bsi www.iris hpost.co te .uk

IRISH SOCIETIES/ ASSOCIATIONS ■ Federation of Irish Societies 95 White Lion Street London N1 9PF 020 7833 1226 ■ Council of Irish County Associations c/o 138 Ashgrove Palmers Green London N13 5AP EMBASSY AND PASSPORTS ■ Irish Embassy 17 Grosvenor Place London, SW1X 7HR 020 7235 2171 ■ Passport Office Embassy of Ireland, 114a Cromwell Road, London, SW7 4ES 020 7373 4339 BUSINESS ■ Irish International Business Network

2nd Floor, 15 Greycoat Place London SW1P 1SB www.iibn.com IRISH CENTRES ■ Irish Cultural Centre Hammersmith 5 Black’s Road, Hammersmith London W6 9DT 020 8563 8232 ■ The London Irish Centre 50-52 Camden Square London NW1 9XB 020 7916 2222 OLDER IRISH GROUPS ■ Aisling Return to Ireland Project 93b Agar Grove London NW1 9UL Tel: 020 7485 7030 www.aisling.org.uk ■ Camden Elderly Irish Network London Irish Centre 50-52 Camden Square London NW1 9XB

020 7916 2222 ■ Haringey Irish Association 120 Gladstone Avenue Wood Green London N22 6LH 020 8889 6579 ADVICE AND SUPPORT ■ Brent Irish Advisory Service 95 High Road Willesden London NW10 2SF 020 8459 6655 www.biasbrent.co.uk ■ Irish Chaplaincy in Britain London Irish Centre 50-52 Camden Square London NW1 9XB 020 7482 5528 www.irishchaplaincy.org.uk ■ Irish Youth Foundation 3 Blacks Road Hammersmith London W6 9DT 020 8748 9640

■ London Irish Women’s Centre 59 Stoke Newington Church Street London N16 0AR Tel: 020 7249 7318 www.liwc.co.uk ■ Safe Start Foundation 1 Bridgehill Close Wembley Middlesex HA0 1EP 020 8900 0001 www.safestart.org.uk SPORT ■ GAA London County Board West End Road South Ruislip Middlesex HA4 6QX www.londongaa.co.uk MUSIC ■ Comhaltas The London Irish Centre 50 - 52 Camden Square Camden London NW1 9XB www.comhaltas.ie

Free health

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To find out where you can pick up your copy, or to download it, please visit: www.irishinbritain.org or www.bmecancervoice.co.uk

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