Bright Sparks
St Patrick’s Day events a global celebration of arts, heritage, culture and capital’s inner city
ST Patrick’s Day organisers have announced a host of festival programmes for this year.
Artists Denise Chaila + Friends, Mother DJS and Saoirse will take part the three-day St Patrick’s Day Festival which will run from March 15-18.
The theme of this year’s spectacular global celebration of Irish arts, culture and heritage is Spreach or spark, which represents the unique essence of Ireland and of Irish people.
The pageant will honour and celebrate the festival’s connection to Dublin’s inner city, with its own residents taking centre stage on the streets of Dublin.
It will feature a collaboration between the St Patrick’s Festival Community Arts programme and the North-east Inner-city Partnership.
Lord Mayor of Dublin Daithi de Roiste said: “Every year St Patrick’s Festival is a wonderful celebration of our Irish culture.
“I’m especially looking forward to being a part of the parade and seeing the eye-catching Lord Mayor’s Coach on our city’s streets once again.
“I’ll also be visiting the Festival Quarter at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks which sees a packed programme of events for all ages.”
Other pageants will include displays from Spraoi, Inishowen Carnival, The Outing Queer Arts Collective, Artastic and Dublin Cycling Campaign.
Bui Bolg once again partners with Kia for a new pageant exploring the link between Spreach, electric vehicle technology, and the circular economy, while the Olympic Federation of Ireland will look forward to Paris 2024, while also celebrating 100 years of Irish participation in the Olympic Games.
Half a million spectators are expected to line this year’s parade route to watch 18 pageants and performance showpieces, 14 marching bands from Ireland, North America and across
France.
St Patrick’s Festival chief Richard Tierney said: “Every year it takes a phenomenal amount of work from artists, arts workers, makers, creators, live events teams and community organisations, drawn from across the country, as well as the core Festival team to bring the magical national festival to life.
“There is a huge amount of activity taking place across the capital over St Patrick’s Festival weekend.
“From the always exciting Festival Parade to entertainment and events for all ages at Festival Quarter and the One City Festival Programme with cultural partners across the city.”
Culture and Arts Minister Catherine Martin said: “This programme of events has something for everyone to come and enjoy while the Festival Quarter keeps the Spreach or spark lit for the community.”
Every year, the festival celebrates our Irish culture
DAITHI DE ROISTE SPEAKING YESTERDAY