St. Patricks Day is a worldwide celebration with all eyes on Ireland through global coverage of the day’s celebrations. In Ariel House our celebration will begin before breakfast on the morning of the 17th where each guest will receive complimentary shamrock to wear in their lapel. Irish Coffees will then be served as our guests leave for the parade.
In Dublin the St Patricks Day Festival 2011 began today with The Céilí Mor which took place at St. Stephens Green and by all standards has brought the city to a standstill. The event ran from 4.30pm-7.30pm offering a unique and fun filled way to spend an afternoon dancing your heart away. Expert callers took those who attended through the Siege of Ennis, the Walls of Limerick and lots more.The Céilí was open to all - young and old, beginners and self-proclaimed pro’s. It’s a great opportunity for friends and family to get together and join award-winning musicians and dancers. Watch, learn and dance; you’ll be doing jigs and reels in no time!
The Parade
In honour of Dublin’s UNESCO City of Literature designation the festival parade will bring specially commissioned short story “Brilliant” by Roddy Doyle, to life on the streets of Dublin, in spectacular fashion.
Inspired by the outrageously whimsical story; Ireland’s finest performance companies will present the chapters in their own inimitable style. Marching bands from Ireland and across the globe will animate the streets with their magnificent musical mastery as they march through the heart of Dublin city.
Ireland’s leading Pageant Companies will interpret different chapters of the story using their own performance style. Follow each company to see how they approach the story in a different way.
Parade Route
The Parade begins on Parnell Square and continues on to O’Connell Street and over O’Connell Bridge to Westmoreland Street. It then winds its way down Dame Street and Lord Edward Street passes by Christchurch Cathedral and along Patrick Street where it finishes just past St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
DublinSwell –Words and Voices for the City of Literature In a new and exciting move for the festival, DublinSwell –Words and Voices from the City of Literature, offers the public a cultural evening celebrating Dublin as UNESCO’s new ‘City of Literature’. This unique ticketed event will bring together a star studded line up of Irish faces from literature, music, film and theatre. Sebastian Barry, Roddy Doyle, Paul Durcan, Glen Hansard, Paul Howard ( Ross O’Carroll Kelly), Declan Hughes, Paula Meehan, Joseph O’Connor and many more will make the city come alive in an evening of imagination and inspiration. The event will take place in the Dublin Convention Centre and promises to be a fitting and inspiring tribute to literary Dublin.
Sharon Shannon
Sharon Shannon, one of Ireland’s most accomplished musicians will present an evening of traditional music at the National Concert Hall. Her unique style of accordion playing is celebrated worldwide, and her home-coming is sure to be a heartening musical experience.
This is just the St. Patricks Day Festival 2011 at a glance; A snippet of events that will take place in the city over the next few days. For Full information see the Festival website 2011.
