Apologies to St George, St Andrew and St David, but the best patron saint of the British Isles is, and always will be, St Patrick. Not only did he have the gumption to drive all the snakes from Ireland – which is harder than killing a single dragon, if you ask us – but he also has the best holiday. St Patrick’s Day in Bristol this year looks to bring another belter of a parade.
On March 19 (yes we know St Patrick’s Day is on March 17), the West of England Irish CultureFest will paint the city green with a parade through Bristol. Everyone from the Irish community and beyond is invited to meet at Trinity Centre at 11:30am, where the parade will commence from 12:30pm and head towards the city centre.
Expect an endless supply of traditional Irish folk music, floats, Irish heritage and a sea of green to make its way to St Nick’s. From there, the festivities will continue into the evening with a free outdoor shindig in and around the market. From 2 – 8pm, expect fiddles and folk to keep crowds entertained with Irish jigs galore, as 12 Irish acts perform in the Glass Arcade.
Elsewhere, after the parade finishes at 2pm, an indoor ticketed party will also be taking place at Revolution Bar. There will be 11 more acts playing this heated and seated party, with live bands and dancers from 2-9pm.
“We are looking forward to bringing everyone, Irish or not, together for a big celebration and appreciation of what Irish people, past and present, have contributed to the West of England,” said Paul Kelly, Chairperson of W.E. Irish.”Beyond the stereotypes, we’re extremely proud of our Irish heritage, culture and tradition and can’t wait to showcase the diversity in the city and to share learnings from the stories of Irish families in Bristol.”
Tá fáilte roimh gach duine.
To learn more about the St Patrick’s Day parade in Bristol head here.