A busy St Patrick’s Week is planned for Bristol with a huge parade and party on Sunday 19 March

A busy St Patrick’s Week is planned for Bristol with a huge parade and party on Sunday 19 March

Posted on: 28 Feb 2023

Bristol will be turning green for St Patrick’s week this year with the launch of the W.E. Irish CultureFest, featuring historic walks, Gaelic football, live music, drag nights and a whole lot more.

 

The W.E. Irish CultureFest will run from Friday 10 to Sunday 19 March 2023. Visit the festival website for more information.

 

There really is something for everyone this year with over 40 events already lined up. Delve deep into historical walks and talks exploring Irish life in the West Country, an open session with Bristol Harps - our newly combined GAA team of St Nicks and Western Gaels - for those wishing to experience hurling and how to hit the slither or the intricacies of Gaelic Football.

 

Attendees will also be able to experience Irish comedy nights, drag nights, trad sessions, live music, club nights and even a screening of the Irish language film Song of Granite telling the dramatic story of legendary singer Joe Heaney.

On top of this there are beginners’ classes in Irish Dancing, Set Dancing, and Ceilidhs. Irish singer/songwriter Cian Ducrot will also be at Thekla on Thursday 16 March. Check out all of the events on the W.E. Irish website here.

 

The culmination of activities and celebrations is the annual St Patrick’s Parade and Party taking place on Sunday 19 March 2023. The crowds will be departing from Trinity Centre (BS2 0NW) at 12.30 before heading towards Bristol’s Old City for a party at St Nicks Market (BS1 1JQ) and several of the bars on St Nicholas Street. The parade will be led by Bristol’s Pipe and Drum Band with everyone welcome to attend.

 

Partnering the parade will be a ticketed event (available here) in Revolution Bar or you can also enjoy the live bands, trad sessions, Irish dancers and lots more for free in and around the market. Head to Headfirst for more information.

Speaking about the W.E. Irish CultureFest, Paula O’Rourke (Lord Mayor of Bristol) said: “It’s great to see the annual St Patrick’s Parade and Party back again on Sunday 19 March and the addition of 46 Irish events with the launch of CultureFest taking place across the West of England between 10-18 March. Make sure and come along for the celebrations.”

 

W.E. Irish was formed in late 2022 and stands for West of England Irish. Previously known as Bristol Irish Society which formed in 1989, it has now taken on a new name as we look to include all of the Irish community, their ancestors and anyone interested in Irish Culture across the whole region.

 

Visit the festival website for more information.

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Article by:

Stanley Gray

Stan is a born and bred Bristolian, recently graduated from studying English Literature in Sheffield. His passions are music and literature and he spends the majority of his time in venues all over the city, immersing himself in Bristol’s alternative music scene. A lifelong Bristol City fan, Stan’s Saturdays are spent watching his team both home and away.