Britain turns green as thousands celebrate

by Amanda Diamond, Danny Claffey, Brendan Farrell and Peter Foley

TENS of thousands of people up and down the country turned out at the weekend to celebrate all things Irish.

In a display that would have made St. Patrick proud, the Irish in Britain came out in force with Tricolours at the ready to mark the annual event.

LONDON saw the Irish community in full force as thousands gathered in Trafalgar Square to dance and sing along to the likes of Paddy Casey, The Saw Doctors and Ronnie Drew.

This year was the capital’s fourth festival and saw the event return to the heart of the city. The fountains on Trafalgar Square even turned green for the day.

The parade was the largest ever seen in the capital and took off from its traditional starting point at Hyde Park.

The procession of floats, marching bands and revellers then wound their way through Piccadilly Circus, Lower Regent Street and Charing Cross before coming to a finish at Trafalgar Square.

An Irish food market in Covent Garden also went down a treat as people sampled the best in bread, meat and cheese from over the Irish Sea.

But most popular with the crowds was the Irish confectionery stalls which saw people tuck into the hand-made Irish chocolates, fudge and jams that were on offer.

Available at Leicester Square was an array of Irish arts and crafts from hand-made jewellery to Irish paintings and literature while the kids were kept happy with face painting.

Covent Garden was home to the traditional stage where performers such as the Sharon Keane School of Irish Traditional Music and Clive and Becky Carroll entertained the crowds.

But the highlight of the day was undoubtedly The Saw Doctors.

The Tuam group had the crowd going wild in Trafalgar Square playing old favourites like I Used To Love Her and Clare Island.

The thousands that were assembled roared along to all the songs and the band themselves seemed to enjoy every minute of it.

St. Patrick was well and truly celebrated in the capital.

In BIRMINGHAM an estimated crowd of 100,000 people turned out to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the city’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Although the weather was dull and cold it did not deter the celebrations.

The parade had a new route this year but it began from its traditional starting point at Camp Hill.

It then passed through Birmingham’s Irish Quarter of Digbeth and headed for the vast Millennium Point where a huge stage saw local bands and artists entertain the large crowds.

The City’s first Irish born Lord Mayor Cllr Mike Nangle said: “I am delighted that Birmingham’s Irish Community put on such a spectacular show this weekend to celebrate 10 years of one of the world’s best St. Patrick’s Day Festivals.

“It is a lasting legacy for the Irish community who have contributed enormously to the success of this city over the generations.

“The St. Patrick’s Day Festival will play a role in helping to pass on and sustain traditional art forms of music and dance for generations to come.”

Despite sunshine and showers and a very cold wind, ERDINGTON also staged its annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations in and around the town centre’s main shopping precincts.

Regular visitors to the popular area were amazed to see the entire market square painted in green, white and gold.

A large line up attractions was on hand to entertain the crowds from Heart FM radio presenter Darren Kelly to the Birmingham Irish Pipes and Drums Band.

Traditional Irish musicians and dancers kept revellers happy while members of the St. Edmund Campion Gospel School Choir, entertainers Mick Hipkiss and Brendan Breslin, face painting stalls meant there was something for everyone to enjoy on

the day.

The idea for starting the parade in Erdington several years ago was down to Town Centre Manager Nigel Godfrey and his dedicated team.

In BRISTOL this year the rain clouds went merrily on their way without spilling a drop as the city’s longest ever St. Patrick’s Day parade wound its way along a three-mile route to the heart of the city.

Now in its sixth year, the procession began outside St. Nicholas of Tolentino Church in Easton with three traps pulled by Irish cobs at the head of the parade.

The Avon Glen Pipes and Drums kept the marchers in step ahead of the procession of floats and cars that brought the centre of the West Country’s largest city to a halt.

Jury’s Bristol Hotel helped sponsor the event and laid on appropriate fare for the marchers when the parade completed its journey on the waterside outside the main restaurant.

Organiser Amelia Dunford felt the day had been a tremendous success and added: “Let’s hope the weather will be kind again to us next year for an even bigger West Country demonstration of what it means to be Irish.”

The 10th Annual MANCHESTER St. Patrick’s Day Parade was the biggest and best yet.

Tens of thousands of people thronged the route of the parade as it wound its way through the city from the Irish World Heritage Centre to Manchester Town Hall.

Everyone agreed they had never seen so many people out to watch and join in the event which easily surpassed previous years.

About 60 floats took part in the colourful spectacle, with bands from Strabane, Roscommon, Monaghan and Donegal taking part for the first time.

Manchester Irish festival Co-chair John Flanagan said: “I am absolutely delighted. It was a great credit to the Manchester Irish community that once again turned out in force to support us.”

Albert Square and the Heritage Centre were the busiest places on the day.

The Heritage Centre had a children’s funfair in the car park and non-stop music and dancing all day long.

But the place to be was Albert Square.

Over the festival weekend the annual Irish market took place once again with market traders from all over Ireland selling their wares.

After shamrock the best-sellers were green wigs leprechaun hats, Irish flags and whistles.

Manchester Irish Festival Committee Secretary Nigel Murphy said: “It was a superb, colourful and bright occasion.

“The weather held, the gods were with us and the whole event was a great success.”

Tourism Ireland were out in force in the square with about 30 stands promoting the various counties in Ireland.

There were also various Irish exhibitions inside the town hall where the best of Irish food could be sampled.