Public spectacle: St Patrick's Festival activities announced:A FIREWORKS display on the banks of the river Suir and a treasure hunt in Dublin city centre are among the events the organisers of this year's St Patrick's Festival hope can dispel the cloud of gloom surrounding the country.
Over 4,000 artists and performers are expected to participate in the festival, which will run from March 12th to 17th.
Dublin will be the main centre of activity over the six days, with the national parade, concerts, funfairs and comedy events taking place across the capital.
However, one of the most highly anticipated events on the festival calendar, the National Lottery Skyfest fireworks display, will take place on the Waterford city quays on March 14th.
Although the budget for this years festival is about 8 per cent less than in 2008, St Patrick’s Festival chief executive Donal Shiels is confident the scheduled events can provide “a big lift to Dublin, Ireland and the people who celebrate the festival all around the world”.
“We have certainly had a few cuts in budgets, but we’re managing that and we still have a very full programme on offer consistent with other years,” he said.
“It’s hugely important. This is the celebration of Ireland and its identity, and I think it is a vital opportunity for everyone to stand up and be counted and to get on the green and have a good time.”
Mr Shiels said it will cost some €2 million to stage the national festival this year, but that the organisers are anticipating a good return on their investment.
“The return to Dublin is in the region of €58 million to the economy. It’s a great number and a great honour for us to make that happen and see that return for everyone through tourism activities.”
Festival events taking place in Dublin include the Denny Big Day Out at Merrion Square, which has been described as an oversized playground for adults and children, and The Spheres, a fusion of dance, theatre and circus, scheduled for the Dublin Docklands.
Marching bands from Germany, Italy and the US will travel to Dublin to join street theatre troupes, dancers and giant puppets for the national parade.
GaelSpraoi, which promotes the Irish language, will include a céilí crash-course, city tours and an appearance by an Irish-language rapper named Muipéid.
The six-day festival programme was launched by Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism Martin Cullen in Dublin last night, who said he was delighted to see the festival programme continues to highlight Ireland’s strong cultural identity, traditional arts and language.
“The range of events will ensure that people of all ages and all nationalities are welcome to join in this special celebration of Ireland, its people and its culture.”
- Further information is available from www.stpatricksfestival.ie
Main Events:
Friday March 13th:
The Spheres at Dublin Docklands. Free ticketed event. The Strange Fruit group from Melbourne, Australia, present a fusion of theatre, dance and circus performances, which features eight artists perched on illuminated orbs. Also runs on March 14th.
Saturday, March 14th:
The National Lottery Skyfest on the Waterford City Quays. Free event.
Thousands are expected to attend what is being billed as a "breathtaking fireworks display" over the river Suir. Dublin band Kila will oversee the soundtrack for this pyro-musical event.
Saturday, March 14th:
The Denny treasure hunt. Registration at City Hall on Dame Street, Dublin, from 10am-1pm. Free event.
Mystery fans and budding detectives will be given a chance to embark on a trail of discovery and unearth clues around the streets of Dublin.
Tuesday March 17th:
St Patrick's Festival parade. Dublin event starts at noon at Parnell Square. Free event.
The theme for this year's parade is "the sky's the limit" and thousands of people are expected to line the streets of Dublin for the event which features street theatre, giant puppetry and marching bands from across the globe.
