Galway’s St Patrick’s Day Parade takes place on Wednesday March 17, starting at 12.30pm. However the parade will be the finale of a whole series of events as the St Patrick’s festivities are extended to five days this year.
From Saturday March 13 to Wednesday 17, Galway will come alive in a blaze of parades, theatre performances, street events, art installations, and music concerts to celebrate the national holiday and the Briton who brought Christianity to Ireland.
“Dublin, Cork, and Limerick have events spread out over a week and when we noticed it fell on a Wednesday we saw a chance to do that too,” says parade event manager Craig Flaherty. “Because St Patrick’s Day is on a Wednesday people will have to go to work the following day so they have the weekend to enjoy events and the build up to the parade.”
The new format for the festivities was also a response to feedback from the public. Following last year’s parade, a survey of 100 people was conducted and the respondents wanted to see more events and activities included as well as a greater emphasis on Irish culture.
Taking all this on board, Craig, along with parade artistic director Debbie Wright, have come up with the five day Over The Moon St Patrick’s Day festival.
The theme of ‘Over The Moon’ will be a major part of the parade and also take in the numerous events which will take place in the run up to it.
“We wanted something that would lend itself to both the visual and the artistic,” explains Debbie, “so we looked into the history of carnivals and from that came up with the ‘Over The Moon’ theme. The phrase means ‘delighted’ and ‘joyful’ but it also ties in with nursery rhymes and the galaxy, so it’s a theme open to interpretation.”
The theme of the moon, moonlight, and carnivals will be on display in a series of theatre, street, and art events which take place in the run up to St Patrick’s Day.
Away With The Birds, an art installation exhibition by Jane Talbot, will take place at the Spanish Arch and see a series of white birds strewn across the remaining section of the old city wall.
The Spanish Arch area will also host the By The Light Of The Moon exhibition/event. This collaboration between the St Patrick’s Day Parade organisers, Black Light, projectionist Andy Smith, and Macnas, will be an hour long event, encompassing light, ambient music, and visuals.
“This will be a really beautiful piece,” says Craig. “We want to bring the Spanish Arch area back to life and this will see images relevant to the area and connected with the sea being projected across the buildings and walls, accompanied by lights and music.”
Macnas will be performing street theatre shows on the Sunday and Monday at 8pm. One performance will involve a professional cast while the other will be performed by a young ensemble cast Macnas is currently working with.
On St Patrick’s night, the Black Box will be transformed into a village hall and old styled carnival venue for a night of music with the Timber Tramps, Mad Uncle Harry, and a host of local DJs.
Galway’s St Patrick’s Day will coincide with the completion of Rith 2010, the 1,600 km relay-run to promote the Irish language, which could see a few thousand runners arrive into Galway following the parade.
In Eyre Square a message from President Mary McAleese, congratulating the runners and supporting the Irish language will be read out, followed by a ceili of Irish music and dance to mark the completion of the parade and the race.
“It’s a big thing for Galway to get this race and it is a great way to promote Irish as we are delighted to be part of that,” says Craig.
The parade committee is also working with a number of transition year classes in Galway schools in making items for the parade. GTI event management students are also working on placements with the parade. The GTI fashion and design students will also have a section in this year’s parade.
All events are free except the Black Box concert.
Tickets prices for this have to be confirmed.
For more information on the parade, events, or how to get involved contact 091 - 562847,
email [email protected], debbiestpatricksgalway.com, or see www.stpatricksgalway.com
