Council unveils St Patrick's Day plans

The council promises a glittering array of concerts, dancing, celtic characters and storytelling and, of course, the jewel in the crown, the magnificent Carnival Parade.

Billed the St Patrick's Day Spring Carnival it is being organised by Derry City Council and will run from Thursday, March 11 to Thursday March 18.

Mayor Paul Fleming said: "The diverse programme of events this year offers something for people of all ages. Once again the city will be the place to be for a fun filled family celebration.

"With events organised across the week, the celebrations will extend beyond St Patrick's Day itself and there is plenty to keep young and young at heart occupied this year."

Victoria Market Car Park will centre stage and significantly an alcohol free zone.

Country Irish star Susan McCann, Comhaltas Ceoltir ireann musicians, sixteen piece multicultural musical group Harmonicity and local Irish dancers will wow the crowd from 1pm to 4.30pm

The carnival parade has a "Springtime in Wonderland" theme. The North West Carnival Initiative, in partnership with Derry City Council and funded through the Arts Council NI, have been working with over 20 local community and school groups to produce spectacular depictions, including an Old Irish Cottage, Alice in Wonderland and the Children of Lir story.

Accompanied by colourful samba and marching bands, the parade promises to deliver a magnificent spectacle for all to enjoy between 2.30 pm and 4.00 pm.

Visitors to the Tower Museum Guildhall Square, Magazine Street and the City Walls on Saturday, March 13 and on St Patrick's Day will be able to meet heroes and heroines of Ireland, who are coming to the city in search of St Patrick himself!

Listen to the legendary tales of these mythical characters and find out what happens when they all get together in the city for the St Patrick's Day Spring Carnival. Performances at 11.00 am, 12.00 pm, 1.00 pm, 2.30pm, 3.30pm and 4.30pm.

The Tower Museum will also be welcoming families looking for a day filled with St Patrick's themed fun, and are offering a special admission rate of just 1!

Storytelling and arts and crafts workshops will be held between 12pm - 2pm and then 4pm - 6pm and there is also a special free screening of classic family film Darby O' Gill and the Little People in their cinema.

Families advised to come early to avoid to disappointment. The fun will also spill out into the Craft Village, with mythical storytelling, face painting and balloon modeling. There will be spectacular performances by Inishowen Gospel Choir at 4pm and 5pm, not to be missed!

The Shared City Project is having A Celebration of Irish Culture event on St Patrick's Day from 10am - 2.30pm. They are offering a range of family oriented events at the Old Clondermott School, with traditional Irish crafts and cooking, storytelling, music, dance and outdoor activities.

Cultrlann U Chanin, the city's new purpose built Irish language arts and cultural centre on Great James Street will be a hive of activity in the week leading up to St Patrick's Day.

They are hosting two Irish Language quizzes, for those in their first year of learning Irish and another for those who have been learning the language for more than one year. They are also having a Youth Cil for Gaelscoil pupils in primaries 4 to 7 on Friday 12th March and a traditional Irish music night on St Patrick's night.

The celebrations don't stop there, as the fun continues every Saturday between March 20 to April 10 in the Craft Village and the Tower Museum, with a programme of animated characters, arts and crafts workshops and costumed storytellers. There will also be outdoor performances by Harmonicity and Inishowen Gospel Choir to make the fun last for weeks!

For further details on the full programme of events for St Patrick's Day Spring Festival, go to http://www.derrycity.gov.uk/stpatricksday.