LEPRECHAUNS AND POTATOES

With over 600,000 New Zealanders having Irish heritage, it makes sense that we expand our celebrations of the nation beyond “Kiss me I’m Irish” badges and drunken debauchery on St Patrick’s Day. On Thursday, the inaugural National Irish Festival will feature

Irish musicians, an Irish film festival, traditional Irish dance and sport and, of course, the All

Blacks versus Ireland will be playing in every Irish pub in the country. November 15-18, various locations. See nzirishfest.co.nz for the festival programme.