Town to host St Patrick’s festival

Coatbridge’s annual St Patrick’s Day festivities kick off tomorrow – and this year there are a few changes to the extravaganza.

The hugely popular family festival, being held on Saturday, March 14, will revert from its previous stage format to a marquee on the town’s Main Street.

It will be compered by master of ceremonies Patrick Rolink and officially opened by Ireland’s Consul General to Scotland, Jane McCulloch, in the presence of local politicians.

Explaining the changes to the family festival, a spokesperson for the event said:“In recent times, sustained spells of inclement weather, particularly on our open stages, have made conditions for watching revellers and performers uncomfortable and potentially hazardous.

“As a result, the committee made the decision to introduce an indoor scenario for our Saturday festival this year.

“There will be no main stage at the Main Street/St John

Street junction next to St Patrick’s Church; instead a marquee will be installed in the centre of Main Street.

“We look forward to you sharing and embracing this exciting initiative, which we are confident will prove to be a great success, with us.”

Other much-anticipated events taking place between tomorrow and the closing family festival include Gaelic football, a Father Ted night, Irish quiz and the annual lecture.

Further highlights will be Summerlee Museum’s B Flat Miners’theatrical production of“a bygone era of life in the pits”at St Patrick’s hall tomorrow night and The Legend of Luke Kelly featuring Chris Kavanagh at the Georgian Hotel on Saturday, March 14.

Visit www.stpatricksdayfestival.co.uk or the St Patrick’s Day festival Coatbridge Facebook page for full details of all the festivities being held.

Tickets for events are available from Tommy Tango’s and The Columba Club in Coatbridge, or online from WeGotTickets.com.