Thousands set to celebrate Irish culture with parade

The annual St Patrick’s Day parade will take place in a celebration of the Irish culture with traditional songs, music, dancing, food and drinks.

Now in its 18th year, the parade attracts more than 5,000 spectators on the day.

Leaving Millenium Square at 11am, the parade of floats, walking schools, bands, flags, tractors and maybe even a donkey will follow a 45 minute route with a rolling road block in place behind it.

It covers the Headrow, City Square, Duncan Street, Vicar Lane and back along the Headrow to Millenium Square where there will be a party until around 4.30pm with stalls, marquees, a bandstand and children’s entertainment

Jack Dwyer, chairman of the Irish Centre’s St Patrick’s Day Committee said they were always thrilled by the amount of non-Irish people who also take part on the day.

He said: “That is the whole thing about it, if you confine yourselves as a group you are not doing what you should be doing. It is lovely to know that so many people enjoy the Irish community, the music, dancing and whatever else - I firmly believe that.”