BIRMINGHAM
Sunday, March 13
St Patrick’s Day Parade
One of the biggest and most colourful St Patrick’s parades in Britain, and also the first, beginning back in 1952.
Time: noon
Admission: free
Route: The parade begins at Digbeth High Street, Birmingham and proceeds to the Parish Church of St Martin-in-the-Bull. From there the parade wends back down the High Street.
www.stpatricksbirmingham.com/the-festival
Sunday, March 13
Emerald Village
The Emerald Village’s après-festival features family entertainment with a number of independent food stalls, a covered bar and a huge covered stage with the best of local live music. Acts on the St Pat Rocks Stage in the village include the Holy Show Band, Lampa, Reel Note and local legend Pat Breslin compèring.
Time: Music begins approximately 2pm
Admission: free
Venue: At the car park adjacent to Birmingham Irish Centre, High Street, Birmingham, B12 0LN
Tel: 0121 622 2314
www.stpatricksbirmingham.com/the-festival
COVENTRY
Thursday, March 17
St Patrick’s Mass followed by lunch
Coventry Irish Society will be joining the Mass at St Osburg’s. Then they’ll host lunch at the society’s premises at Coventry Point.
Time: Mass begins noon
Admission: free
Venues: St Osburg’s Upper Hill Street, Coventry, CV1 4AQ; Coventry Irish Society, Unit1, 11th Floor, Coventry Point, Market Way, Coventry, CV1 1EA
www.coventryirishsociety.co.uk
Saturday, March 19
St Patrick Goes to the Punjab — Shamrocks and Saris
A cross-cultural night hosted by the Coventry Irish Association at the Albany Theatre. The concert features Joe O’Donnell’s Shkayla, and Fine Lines World Music Ensemble — an Indo-Spanish trio featuring Flamenco guitar, funky jazz and Indian tablas.
Irish dancing will come from the McHugh Irish Dancing School, while Sabrina will present a variety of styles of dance including Kathak, semi-classical, Bhangra and Bollywood. Clearly a night that won’t require a starting handle to get it going.
Time: 7.30pm
Admission: £12, concession £10
Venue: Albany Theatre, 53 The Butts, Coventry, CV1 3BH
Tel: 02476 998 964
www.coventryirishsociety.co.uk
SANDWELL
Thursday, March 17
Afternoon St Patrick’s Day celebration
Sandwell will be hosting a special St Patrick’s Day lunch to celebrate the day.
Time: 12.30pm
Admission: free
Venue: Sandwell Irish Community Association, Park Lodge Langley, Langley High Street, Oldbury, West Midlands B69 4SL
Tel: 0121 533 9734
