W.E. Irish is inviting Bristol and beyond to join the city’s largest St Patrick’s Day parade to date, which will take place for the first time from M Shed to St Nicks Market on Sunday 17 March.
After the overwhelming success of last years’ parade, W.E. Irish - the West of England’s Irish community group - has extended the procession route to include some of Bristol’s most iconic institutions, travelling from M Shed to St Nicks Market.
Starting from 1pm outside M Shed, with those joining the parade invited to arrive in their shamrocked best by 12pm, the parade will travel through the city, filling the streets with Irish floats, caricatures, decorated cars and bicycles, music, dancing and everything in between. A pause at Queen Square will see a short performance of music and dance before heading to St Nicks.
W.E.Irish is a not-for-profit organisation, aiming to unite Irish people and those with the nationality in their heritage to celebrate their rich cultural background. This year, the theme for the Parade is ‘Sea of Migration’, so all Irish diaspora who now call Bristol ‘Home Away from Home’ are invited to walk under this banner.
Following the parade, an after party will run until 8pm, hosted at St Nicks Market’s Glass Arcade and Revolution Bar on St Stephen’s Street, where the family-friendly festivities will continue. As well as plenty of activities for all ages to get involved in, there will be displays of Irish dancing from four different schools in the Bristol area, as well as Irish musicians and folk singers to keep crowds merry and entertained. There will also be two dedicated bars celebrating Ireland’s best liquid exports - Guinness and Irish Whisky!
Bristol Deputy Lord Mayor and W.E. Irish parade organiser, Paula O’Rourke, said: “With a belief that celebrating culture is transformative within communities, 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. 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.”
The parade will round-up a stint of festivities running from the 8 - 17 March, with Irish comedy from Keith Farnan, Irish Folk music from Damien Dempsey and The Mary Wallopers, and historical walks with Clare Reddaway about Irish Bristol - all taking place in and around the city.
The parade is free to all attendees, however the afterparty will be a ticketed event, with tickets available to purchase here:
https://www.headfirstbristol.co.uk/whats-on/revolution-bar-st-nicholas-market/sun-17-mar-w-e-irish-culturefest-party-87798#e87798
To get involved in the parade or enter a float or decorated vehicle, contact the team by the 1 March here: Hello@weirish.org.uk
Related
Comments
Comments are disabled for this post.
