GLASGOW is preparing for a Festival extravaganza which will include 10 city venues over 13 days with Irish music, dance, song, discussion and family friendly events.
Beginning today (March 5), and running every day and night until St Patrick’s day, the festival programme this year caters for a broad range of interests including a number of free events.
Festival chairman Danny Boyle said: “2013 has seen our programming develop, now encompassing lectures, panel discussions and a throwback to the 70s showband scene alongside our mainstays of showcase concerts, our gala dinner dance and of course the Family Day extravaganza in Merchant Square on Saturday, March 16.
“Following our success in selling out our first ever concert in partnership with the Celtic Connections Festival in 2013, we are looking to build on the momentum from the festival in 2012 and kick start the 2013 festival season with a bang.”
The city welcomes top-class artists, groups and individuals from near and far. Along with music from acts such as Bible Code Sundays and Yuptae, Gaelic traditional music will also play a prominent role. Paddy Callaghan, festival secretary and newly crowned BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2013, said: “2013’s been a great year so far on a professional and personal basis.
"I was part of the collaborative ensemble which performed at the St.Patrick’s festival concert at Celtic Connections and it was a top gig, [it was] brilliant to finally collaborate with some of my peers in a new setting which really gave us some artistic license.
"Paul Sheridan, our songwriter, wrote some new material for us so it was a pleasure to be part of that debut in itself. The gig went down really well so we are really excited about repeating it for the cultural showcase on the 15th March. I’ll also be doing a bit myself as the Young Traditional Musician on that night also so it will be great to debut at the festival under that umbrella.
“In general though, the festival is bigger and better and open to all so hopefully see a lot of new and old faces throughout the 13 days,” added Callaghan.
Countless highlights will be on display throughout the Festival, including a free family day party in the Merchant Square on March 16.
The Square will host Michelle McManus, Parting Glass, Quigleys Point, St.Rochs Ceili Band, Neusa, Connor Markey & Friends, John Jo Gallagher & Julia Reid and The Glasgow Mary from Dungloe Launch and will have attendance and support from Tourism Ireland, Glasgow City Council and the Irish and Scottish Governments.
Lord Provost Sadie Docherty summed up the shared strength in Gaelic culture, which will be celebrated at this year’s Glasgow St. Patrick’s Festival:
“Our histories are intertwined and our heritage is something to be celebrated. This event showcases all that is wonderful about Irish literature, music, dance and sport. The Irish diaspora of the 19th century led to the migration of countrymen across the continents. Many, of course, settled in the West of Scotland, particularly in Glasgow and have made a huge contribution.
“Ireland’s cultural heart has found a home in Glasgow and I am proud about that”.
The Irish Post is the media partner of Glasgow St Patrick's Festival.
