Nottingham will be turned into a sea of green when St Patrick's Day celebrations get under way later this month. Friday, March 17 is the big day honouring the patron saint of Ireland through religion, music, dancing, and, of course, dressing up and drinking Guinness.
The day starts with the mass of St Patrick and blessing of shamrock at Our Lady and St Patrick’s Church in The Meadows with the Bishop of Nottingham, Reverend Patrick McKinney. You don't have to be Irish to dress up like a leprechaun or don a Guinness hat and party with the best of them when the fun kicks off in Old Market Square.
First up at 11.30am is the Louie Walsh Band on the Elaine Marren memorial stage. The event officially opens at 1pm, followed by the below line-up of entertainment throughout the afternoon.
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- 1.20pm Claire Regan Academy of Irish Dance
- 1.40pm Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Nottingham
- 2.05pm Glendarragh Academy of Irish Dance
- 2.25pm Louie Walsh Band
- 2.50pm Nottingham Irish Set Dancers
- 3.10pm McManus Academy of Irish Dance
- 3.25pm Kellys Heroes
The craic at Raglan Road, one of the UK's top ten Irish bars, starts at noon with three bands, a DJ and Irish dancers. Irish food will be on the menu and there will be face painting. The shindig at the Derby Road pub is sponsored by Jamesons Whiskey so there will be plenty of giveaways.
For those who can make it through the night, Rescue Rooms, in Goldsmith Street, is hosting It's Always Sunny in Nottingham - Paddy's Pub St Patrick's Day Party from 10pm to 3.30pm. Secret Garden, Cucamaras, OZ Bar, O'Neill's and Bierkeller are stop-offs for students on the St Paddy's Day Pub Crawl.
Outside the city centre, the Victoria Hotel, in Dovecote Lane, in Beeston, will be celebrating all things Irish with food, drink and music. The Beeston Social, off Station Road, is holding a ticketed party with a live band and Irish-themed cocktails and mocktails.
In north Notts, a St Patrick's Day party at Forest Town Arena includes entertainment from Lady Rose and resident DJ Ovo, as well as food and Guinness and Baby Guinness.
Before the big day Pat Chapman, chairman of Nottingham's Irish Centre, in Wilford Street, will be giving a talk on March 13 at 7pm about the history of the Irish community in the East Midlands and plans to renovate the 50-year-old centre.
A St Patrick's Day special Bongo's Bingo will be happening on March 16 at PRYZM. Expect nostalgia-soaked revelry, rave rounds, dance-offs, audience participation, en masse karaoke and crazy prizes. Tickets are now on sale.
Founder Jonny Bongo said: "Being Irish myself means I know how big St Patrick’s Day is for so many people across the world. We’re in Nottingham with a very special show which is going to be massive.”
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