Author: whatsonni

While St Patrick’s Day is marked across the globe, Armagh is the place where his legacy continues to shape the landscape and its people.

This March – the ecclesiastical capital of Ireland and the only city in the world with two cathedrals dedicated to St Patrick – will host the Home of St Patrick Festival from Tuesday 10 March to Wednesday 18 March 2026, building on the success of last year’s celebrations .

Set among the city’s twin cathedral hills, the festival brings together ancient tradition and modern celebration in a way that can only happen in Armagh – the Home of St Patrick. Through live music, culture and heritage, alongside moments of reflection, it invites visitors to discover St Patrick not just as an international symbol, but as the man who lived, prayed and built his first great stone church in Armagh in 445AD.

That strong sense of place runs throughout a programme designed to bring people together -families, friends and visitors of all ages – across the city’s historic streets, theatres, pubs, green spaces and ancient sites. By day and by night, Armagh becomes a stage for storytelling, creativity and shared celebration, including a special Brian Finnegan & Friends concert in St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral, marking the return of the acclaimed Armagh-born composer during a break from his international touring schedule.

Deputy Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough, Councillor Jessica Johnston, said: “Armagh has a long and meaningful connection to St Patrick, and that heritage continues to shape the character of our city today. With two cathedrals dedicated to his name, the story of St Patrick remains an important part of our shared history and identity.

“Our St Patrick’s Festival is a fantastic opportunity for our local businesses, traders and hospitality providers to shine. The festival brings thousands of visitors into the city, supporting our local economy and showcasing the warm welcome Armagh is known for. I encourage everyone to get involved, join the festivities.”

A major highlight of the 2026 festival is the St Patrick’s Open-Air Concert on Monday 16 March, when Market Square will be transformed into a vibrant outdoor venue at the heart of the city. Headlined by chart-topping folk favourites The Tumbling Paddies, with support from Wolfhound and The Reillys, the concert promises a high-energy, family-friendly celebration of contemporary Irish music beneath the cathedral skyline.

The celebrations continue throughout the week with the St Patrick’s Festival Live Music Trail, running from Friday 13 to Tuesday 17 March. Spanning 20 local acts across 12 venues, and free for all to enjoy, the Trail fills Armagh’s bars, cafés and cultural spaces with live Irish music, creating a vibrant soundtrack as visitors move through the city. Alongside this, festivalgoers can also experience everything from Trad Tok Live – a fusion of traditional Irish music and electronic dance beats – to guided heritage activities such as the Stained-Glass Treasures Walking Tour.

Speaking ahead of the festival, The Tumbling Paddies said: “Playing in Armagh, the Home of St Patrick, is something special. There’s a real sense of history and community here and bringing our music to Market Square as part of this festival feels like the perfect way to celebrate everything St Patrick represents.”

Beyond its headline music moments, the Home of St Patrick Festival offers a rich mix of experiences that encourage visitors to explore Armagh in different ways – from discovering the city’s stories on foot to enjoying family activities, comedy, conversation and live performance. Ancient landscapes like Navan Fort, cultural hubs such as The Market Place Theatre, and the city’s welcoming bars and cafés all help showcase the region’s creativity and character.

A powerful reminder of Armagh’s spiritual heritage follows on 16 March with the Vigil Walk, led by the Archbishops of Armagh. By torchlight, visitors join locals on a lantern‑lit journey between the two St Patrick’s cathedrals – a moving symbol of faith, reconciliation and shared tradition. The walk is led by Archbishop Eamon Martin and Archbishop John McDowell, reflecting Armagh’s unique role as a place where two Christian traditions meet in the name of the same saint.

Archbishop Eamon Martin said: “St Patrick’s mission began here in Armagh, and it continues to inspire people across the world today. The Vigil Walk reminds us that Patrick’s message was one of faith, hope and unity, and it is fitting that we walk together between our two St Patrick’s Cathedrals in that spirit.”

Armagh is also the starting point of Saint Patrick’s Way, the 132km pilgrim trail to Downpatrick – making it the most authentic place on the island to explore the life and legacy of Ireland’s patron saint.

For full details of the 2026 Home of St Patrick Festival programme visit visitarmagh.com/festivals/st-patrick

12-15 March 2026 | Derry-Londonderry | Christ Church, Derry-Londonderry

Derry-Londonderry is set for a serious musical takeover this March as Walled City Music Festival returns from 12–15 March 2026 with a razor-sharp programme built for everyone- the seasoned concert-goer, the curious first-timer, and anyone who simply wants to feel something live.

Expect powerhouse piano, high-voltage violin and richly coloured chamber music, performed by world-class artists in the heart of the city. Set within one of Derry’s most charming historic churches, admired for its elegant stained glass and beautifully resonant acoustics, Christ Church Derry offers a warm, welcoming and perfectly suited setting for festival performances.

At the centre of the 2026 line-up are international piano star Martina Filjak, the debut of the Walled City Music Chamber Orchestra, virtuoso violinist Kirill Troussov with pianist Alexandra Troussova, and renowned soprano Ailish Tynan.
The festival is shaped by its co-artistic directors- Derry-born pianist Cathal Breslin and flautist Sabrina Hu- whose international performing careers place them firmly at the heart of a weekend of world-class music-making.

What’s on

Piano Concertos: Passion & Power – Thu 12 March, 7.30pm | Christ Church, Derry-Londonderry

The festival opens with Piano Concertos: Passion & Power, featuring international piano star Martina Filjak and co-artistic director Cathal Breslin in landmark piano concertos by Edvard Grieg and Camille Saint-Saëns, performed with the Walled City Music Chamber Orchestra. This opening night marks the orchestra’s inaugural appearance as part of the festival. £15/£10

Impressions in Sound: Debussy and Beyond – Fri 13 March, 7.30pm | Christ Church, Derry-Londonderry
A bold, sensory programme for flute, viola and harp- from Claude Debussy and Sir Arnold Bax to newly commissioned Irish works, performed by Sabrina Hu (flute), David O’Doherty (viola) and Clíona Doris (harp). £15/£10.

Romantic Virtuosity: Violin and Piano – Sat 14 March, 7.30pm | Christ Church, Derry-Londonderry
Kirill Troussov and Alexandra Troussova bring the fireworks with showstoppers by Ludwig van Beethoven, César Franck, Pablo de Sarasate and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. £15/£10.

Last Songs, Love Songs, Irish Songs: A Festival Farewell – Sun 15 March, 2pm | Christ Church, Derry-Londonderry
A closing concert that goes straight for the heart: Richard Strauss, Giacomo Puccini, and beloved Irish favourites- with soprano Ailish Tynan and pianist Cathal Breslin in full flight. £15/£10.

Tickets & info

Full programme details and ticket links are available via the festival programme page. https://walledcitymusic.com/wcmf/programme/

Internationally acclaimed quartet to perform film soundtrack classics at Warrenpoint Town Hall

When Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings accompanied the helicopter scenes in Platoon, audiences experienced the power of chamber music to intensify emotion on screen. That intensity is set to be experienced again in a concert at Warrenpoint Town Hall.

The internationally acclaimed Piatti Quartet will perform Barber’s great work, as well as other iconic string quartets by Philip Glass, Ravel, and Shostakovich on Saturday 14th March at 1pm.

Presented by Newry Chamber Music, this concert will show the versatility and adaptability of the string quartet in capturing tone, emotion, and drama across a range of film genres and is sure to delight both classical enthusiasts and cinema buffs.

The concert will open with Philip Glass’s String Quartet No. 3, from his soundtrack to Mishima: A Life In Four Chapters, the 1985 biographical drama directed by Paul Schrader and based on the life of Japanese writer Yukio Mishima.

Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood has excelled as a composer for film in recent years, as the Piatti Quartet will show with his spare and spectral quartet from Paul Thomas Anderson’s Oscar-winning There Will Be Blood.

The concert concludes with Shostakovich’s String Quartet No. 8 (1960). The work was composed in Dresden while Shostakovich was working on the soundtrack for the Soviet-East German film, Five Days-Five Nights. Although not written for a specific movie, the piece was inspired by the composer’s surroundings, with Dresden still reeling from the bombing of the Second World War. It has subsequently been used in numerous soundtracks due to its dramatic, emotional tone.

Also on the programme is Ravel’s String Quartet, which has featured on Wes Anderson’s The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), among other films, and Samuel Barber’s deeply poignant Adagio for Strings, Op. 11, which has become an emotional leitmotif representing loss and grief.

The Piatti Quartet – Michael Trainor (violin), Emily Holland (violin), Miguel Sobrinho (viola), Jessie Ann Richardson (cello) – are the Resident Quartet at Kings Place, London. They have enjoyed enormous critical acclaim, with composer Julian Anderson calling them, “living treasures of chamber music”; The Strad has praised their “profound music making”; while classical music critic David Rowe has said: “The Piatti Quartet is surely one of the very best – ever”.

Since their prizewinning performances at the 2015 Wigmore Hall International String Quartet Competition, they have performed at the Wigmore Hall, London; The Concertgebouw, Amsterdam; Flagey Radio Hall, Brussels; and the Aldeburgh Festival.

Contemporary music has been ever-present in The Piatti Quartet repertoire with major commissions and dedications from modern composers Mark-Anthony Turnage, Emily Howard, Charlotte Harding, Joseph Phibbs, and particularly Anna Meredith.

Tickets are £20 (General admission) and £10 (Under 18s) from https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/newry-chamber-music/the-piatti-quartet/2026-03-14/13:00/t-yzqgnyq.

For more information see https://newrychambermusic.org.

Belfast is the place to be this St Patrick’s Day, with a packed programme of events from Belfast City Council, stretching right across the city, from 1-17 March.

Following the annual Spar Craic 10K race, leaving from City Hall at 9am, the city centre will be the setting for the annual St Patrick’s Day parade on Tuesday 17 March.

Starting at City Hall at 1.30pm, this year’s parade will celebrate the legends of St Patrick, as well as the city’s diversity, with local dance troupes, schools, community groups and musicians.

Expect colourful costumes, music, dance and carnival characters as the cavalcade makes its way down Chichester Street, Victoria Street, High Street, Castle Place and Donegall Place, before returning to City Hall.

Belfast TradFest have added an extra day to their popular St Patrick’s Music Festival, now with five days of events from 13-17 March.

Enjoy a multi-cultural, cross-community celebration of all aspects of traditional music and song – a great taster ahead of this summer’s Fleadh Cheoil.

Following the parade on Tuesday 17 March, head to the festival village in the Cathedral Quarter (1pm-5pm) for Highland piping competitions, set and céili dancing, pilgrimage walks, bodhrán circles, a trad picnic and an afternoon of family fun, with the main stage in Writers’ Square and an acoustic stage in St Anne’s Square.

Ticketed highlights include Dougie MacLean and Ursula Burns, followed by Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh Band and Andy Irvine, both at Mandela Hall (Saturday 14 March), a Pipe Band Extravaganza at City Hall (Sunday 15 March), the Michael McGoldrick Trio and Music Generation Cross Border Folk Orchestra at the Ulster Hall (Monday 16 March) and a special St Patrick’s Day concert at The MAC on Tuesday 17 March, with The Bow Brothers and the Aoife Scott Band.

Féile an Phobail will also be hosting world-class Irish traditional music and workshops in venues across the city from 10-17 March.

The popular Féile Trad Trail will include over 100 sessions, featuring some of Ireland’s finest traditional musicians.

St George’s Market will share St Patrick’s Day craic on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 March, with live traditional music across both market days, along with special trader offers and family fun.

Among the acts performing will be musicians from Ards CCÉ, who are partnering with the council to host Fleadh Cheoil.

Spraoi Cois Lao – the biggest Irish language family fun day of its kind – is also making a return to Custom House Square on Saturday 7 March, 1pm-4pm.

Organised by Conradh na Gaeilge and Féile an Phobail, it offers a packed afternoon of activities, with live music, dance performances, Zumba, a céili mór, taster sessions for beginners and food stalls – all provided through the medium of Irish.

As part of this year’s St Patrick’s programme, Seachtain na Gaeilge le Energia – an international festival celebrating Irish language and culture – also takes place from 1-17 March.

The festival provides opportunities to enjoy Irish through a programme of entertaining and fun events, with activities for both learners and fluent speakers.

Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Tracy Kelly, said: “St Patrick’s Day is growing in popularity year on year in Belfast, as both residents and visitors take the opportunity to enjoy a celebration of the traditional arts, culture and heritage that shape our city.

“Working in partnership with festival organisers and cultural and arts organisations has really opened up what we can offer around St Patrick’s Day, enabling us to provide a broad programme of events and activities and creating a festival that is welcoming, vibrant and inclusive.

“This year’s programme offers something for everyone to enjoy, whether it’s live music, a day out with the family at the parade, a walk or tour to learn more about the life of St Patrick or the chance to try your own hand at traditional instruments. I’m looking forward to sharing in the celebrations and exploring what’s on offer from 1-17 March.”

For more info on St Patrick’s Day events, including dates, times and ticket info for music performances, visit www.belfastcity.gov.uk/stpatricks

Get ready for a weekend bursting with imagination! Young Aspects is happening in Bangor on Friday 27 February – Sunday 1 March, bringing an exciting programme of workshops, events and hands-on activities designed to inspire young minds and ignite a love of stories.

Organised by Ards and North Down Borough Council, this year’s festival transforms venues including North Down Museum, Bangor Carnegie Library and Boom Studios into vibrant hubs of creativity. From playful picture book sessions for little ones to dynamic writing workshops for teens, Young Aspects connects children with talented writers, illustrators, and artists in fun, interactive ways.

One highlight not to miss: the Book Doctors, presented by Children’s Books Ireland, will be hosting free Book Clinics at Bangor Carnegie Library on Saturday 28 February. Step into the surgery for a unique consultation and leave with a personalised reading prescription tailored to your child’s interests!

The programme also features favourites like Digital Art Workshops, Book Binding, Creative Writing, and a Story Sketch Walk – perfect for budding readers, writers, and artists.

Speaking about the programme Patricia Hamilton, Aspects Festival Director, commented:
“Young Aspects gives young people of all ages creative experiences to engage with books, writing and stories in an exciting and unusual way. From bookbinding to illustration, bedtime stories to forest learning, it’s a packed weekend of activity. We hope to see you there!”

To view the full programme and to book tickets, visit: https://aspectsfestival.com/whats-on

Ards Arts Centre in Newtownards is proud to present Drawn Together, an exhibition celebrating the life and work of acclaimed artist Richard Croft PPRUA (1935–2025). Curated before his passing last year, this mini-retrospective shines a spotlight on Croft’s lifelong passion for drawing – the foundation of his creative practice.

The exhibition brings together a selection of sketches alongside their corresponding paintings and prints, offering a rare insight into how Croft developed ideas from initial marks to finished works. Spanning over 70 years of sketchbooks, the collection explores themes of landscape and still life, often evolving into striking abstractions.

Born in London and based in Northern Ireland since 1959, Croft was a respected teacher and artist whose work captured the beauty of local and international landscapes. In 1967 he was elected as an Academician of the Royal Ulster Academy of Arts and was President of the Academy from 1997 – 2000.

As part of the programme, Amanda Croft, Richard’s daughter, will host a special gallery talk and tour, sharing personal reflections on his life and artistic journey.

Speaking about the exhibition, Amanda said: “My abiding memory of Richard was that he always had a pencil at the ready – drawings of people, places, ideas for paintings and prints all recorded in sketch books.  We are delighted that Ards Arts Centre is hosting this exhibition of my father’s work.”

The exhibition will run Thu 26 Feb – Sat 21 March 2026 in Ards Arts Centre’s Georgian and Sunburst Galleries. Admission is free.

All are welcome to attend the exhibition’s Preview Event at Ards Arts Centre on Thursday 26 February, 7pm – 9pm.

For more information, visit: https://andculture.org.uk/whats-on/drawn-together

This March, the Portico of Ards in Portaferry comes alive as the Feel Good Festival (1-31) returns, transforming the historic venue into a vibrant celebration of music, arts, and the senses. Against the beautiful coastal backdrop, audiences are invited to embrace the spring season with experiences that are intimate, joyful, and inspiring.

Highlighting this year’s festival are luminous performances that will take you on a musical journey that captures the magic of renewal, all carefully curated to create emotional resonance and connection.

The festival opens on 1 March with the much-loved The Fureys in their farewell concert, already sold out, setting the tone for a month of unforgettable performances. Comedy fans will be delighted by Emer Maguire on 6 March and Terry McHugh on 13 March, while classical enthusiasts can revel in the soaring harmonies of The Gesualdo Six on 7 March and the cinematic elegance of the Piatti Quartet performing music from the movies on 15 March. Folk lovers will be enchanted by The Henry Girls and Lore on 14 March, and audiences can immerse themselves in the Spring Equinox Sound Spa with Tessa Ann on 22 March, dance the night away 80s style with Spring Break on 28 March, hear the enduring classics of Peter Corry: One Singer Some Songs on 21 March or attend his confidence building workshop that afternoon, and experience the vocal artistry of Niamh O’Sullivan and Gary Beecher on 29 March.

The Portico of Ards itself becomes part of the performance, its historic architecture and breathtaking coastal setting enhancing every note, every laugh, and every shared moment. Each event is designed with curation and intimacy in mind, offering audiences the rare opportunity to encounter artists up close in a space where the surroundings amplify the experience.

Supported by Ards and North Down Borough Council and The National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, the festival celebrates artistic excellence and range, presenting Irish and international talent across multiple genres.

Feel Good Festival Director, Neil McClure, said:
“The Feel Good Festival at The Portico of Ards is about more than music – it is about joy, connection, and renewal. This March our carefully curated diverse programme of performances will invite audiences to engage deeply with sound, space, and each other, leaving everyone refreshed and inspired. With a huge thanks to Ards and North Down Borough Council and The National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland for their support.”

For tickets and further information visit www.porticoards.com. Follow Feel Good Festival via Portico of Ards on Instagram and Facebook @porticoportaferry and join the conversation with #FeelGoodFestival2026.