Press Release

Music, poetry and dance make London's first St Patrick's Day festival a great day out for all
13-3-2002   138

Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, has announced the final running order for London's first ever St Patrick's Day festival, which is expected to be attended by thousands of people from across the capital on Sunday.

Musical stars the Dubliners, Mary Coughlan, poet Tom Paulin and dance troupe Celtic Feet are amongst those who will be taking part in London's first official St Patrick's Day festival in Trafalgar Square on Sunday. As well as music on the main stage, there will be an acoustic stage situated by the Sainsbury's extension of the National Gallery.

People will also be able to try out traditional Irish instruments, take part in poetry workshops and enjoy traditional Irish food and drink from stalls and marquees around the square.

There will also be an area designated for children, with a playbus, face-painting, storytelling and other activities.

Dáithí O’Ceallaigh, the Irish Ambassador to London, and Seumas Brennan, Minister of State to the Taoiseach, will take part in the Parade before the festival, joining 15 floats and contingents from the Metropolitan Police and the Fire Brigade, schools, Irish dancers and bands.

Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, said:

'The St Patrick's Day festival and Parade are an opportunity for Londoners and visitors to the capital to celebrate all things Irish – from literature to music and song, from dancing to oysters. With the range of entertainment and activities being put on for the festival I am sure there is something for everyone to enjoy. I look forward to a great day out for London.'

Ends

Notes to Editors

1. The St Patrick's Day festival will take place on Sunday 17 March. The parade will assemble in front of Westminster Cathedral at 1pm and proceed along Victoria Street and Whitehall to Trafalgar Square. Ken Livingstone will officially open the St Patrick's Day family festival at 2:30pm. The festival will end at 6pm.
   The running order for the main stage is as follows:
   1.00 - 1.20 Comhaltas Ceoltóri Éireann
   1.20 - 1.35 Tara Television showreels and links
   1.35 - 1.50 No Way Out
   2.00 - 2.15 Finbar Furey
   2.15 - 2.30 Wexford Male Voice Choir
   2.30 - 3.00 Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, officially opens St Patrick's Day festival
   3.00 - 3.20 Celtic Feet dance troupe
   3.30 - 3.45 Bellefire
   3.45 - 4.00 Tribute to the Arts
   4.00 - 4.15 Celtic Tenors
   4.20 - 4.45 Mary Coughlan
   4.50 - 5.00 Finbar Furey
   5.10 - 5.45 Dubliners
   5.45 - 6pm FINALE: the Dubliners lead singing of the Fields of Athenry.
   6pm CLOSE OF FESTIVAL
   St. Martin-in-the-Fields - special evensong dedicated to St. Patrick
2. The St Patrick's Day festival in central London is being organised by the Mayor, the Irish Post, the Irish Counties Association and Irish community organisations as a celebration of the Irish contribution to the capital. It is one of a number of community based cultural events that the Mayor is supporting throughout the year, including last month's Chinese New Year celebrations, Diwali, Notting Hill Carnival and participation in a number of events marking the Queen's Golden Jubilee.
3. Sponsors of the St Patrick's Day festival include: Irish Post, Council of Irish County Associations, Irish Tourist Board, Murphy's, Stena Line, Irish Beef, Boru Vodka, Laing O'Rourke, Kelly Communications and Metro.
4. Members of the public wishing to keep up to date with plans for the first London St Patrick's Day festival can visit the official website at www.mystpatricksday.com, or telephone 020 8741 0649.
5. More extensive information about the St Patrick's Day festival accompanies this release.

Further details are available from Ben McKnight on 020 7983 4071\ 07881 501 920, Catherine Mattison on 020-7983 4020\ 07957 340 795, or Rebecca Miller on 020 7983 4068\ 07810 756 170
For non-media enquiries please call the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100
For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000

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