{"id":8719,"date":"2015-03-03T14:27:27","date_gmt":"2015-03-03T13:27:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/?p=8719"},"modified":"2015-03-03T14:28:00","modified_gmt":"2015-03-03T13:28:00","slug":"get-set-for-armagh%e2%80%99s-largest-ever-st-patrick%e2%80%99s-festival-2015","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/2015\/03\/get-set-for-armagh%e2%80%99s-largest-ever-st-patrick%e2%80%99s-festival-2015\/","title":{"rendered":"Get set for Armagh\u2019s largest-ever St Patrick\u2019s Festival 2015"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jam-packed schedule of events and activities promise most memorable <\/strong>St Patrick\u2019s Festival yet!<\/strong><\/h1>\n

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There is something for everyone at Armagh City's largest-ever St Patrick's Day Festival in 2015. Local festival fans John and Alex Stinson (pictured) are looking forward to five full days of music, entertainment and fun for all ages including The Storytellin\u00e2\u0080\u0099 Man and the Songstress at Armagh'\u0080\u0099s iconic public library, and the giant interactive storyboard which will allow the expected 20,000 visitors to learn everything there is to know about Ireland'\u0099s patron saint. Running from Thursday 12th -\u0080\u0093 Tuesday 17th March, see the full programme schedule at www.armagh.co.uk\/saintpatrick.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Around 20,000 visitors are expected in Armagh for a six-day festival of events to celebrate Ireland\u2019s Patron Saint, St Patrick, and which features a jam-packed programme of more than 25 music, song, dance, comedy, art, literature, theatre and family events across a variety of venues from Thursday 12th<\/sup> to Tuesday 17th<\/sup> March.<\/p>\n

Supported by Armagh City and District Council, Ireland\u2019s oldest city and world famous as the \u2018City of St Patrick\u2019, this year\u2019s festival promises to be the biggest yet, with first-time performers Mary Coughlan, Stockton\u2019s Wing topping the bill as part of a series of musical events at the Market Place Theatre in the run-up to the big day and the famous St Patrick\u2019s Day Carnival Procession, concert and family fun day on Tuesday 17th<\/sup> March.<\/p>\n

As one of the largest St Patrick\u2019s events to take place anywhere on the island of Ireland, this year\u2019s lively weekend of celebrations takes in 20 of the city\u2019s best venues, as well as a busking festival on Saturday 14th<\/sup> March where musicians from across Northern Ireland will gather for the annual outdoor jamboree.<\/p>\n

A four-day musical \u2018Session Trail\u2019 which features unrivalled live entertainment including traditional music and family-friendly sessions sets a lively tone when it kicks off on Friday, with performances taking place in many of Armagh\u2019s welcoming bars, cafes and restaurants.<\/p>\n

Featuring the very snakes which St Patrick tried to banish, Armagh\u2019s historic Navan Fort will become a life-size interactive storyboard with an exciting dramatization, telling the story of the life of St Patrick and his decision to choose Armagh as the site of his first church.<\/p>\n

For little festival-goers, Ireland\u2019s foremost storytelling and song duo, Billy Teare and Kathleen O\u2019Sullivan bring the magic of \u2018The Story Tellin\u2019 Man and the Songstress\u2019, with their treasure trove of tall tales, myths and songs, to Armagh Public Library for a Friday event that children of all ages will enjoy.<\/p>\n

The Market Place Theatre, Armagh City\u2019s flagship performance centre, will be transformed into an official festival venue complete with three unique staging areas to accommodate the finest music, comedy and dance entertainment which includes performances from renowned acts including Ireland\u2019s Mary Coughlan, Stockton\u2019s Wing, PJ Gallagher and Kila, as well as Scotland\u2019s Clanadonia, Celtic Storm and The Whistlin\u2019 Donkeys.<\/p>\n

Other highlights of Armagh\u2019s legendary celebrations will also include performances by Belfast\u2019s Arco String Quartet and one of Northern Ireland\u2019s largest ensembles of traditional Irish music sessions by the 300 musicians that make up the world famous Armagh Pipers Club.<\/p>\n

For a full list of everything that\u2019s on and what events will require pre booked tickets, visit www.armagh.co.uk\/saintpatrick<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Armagh Lord Mayor, Cathy Rafferty, says excitement surrounding the Festival \u2013 one of the biggest of its kind in Ireland – is already starting to build.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe are exceptionally proud to be named Saint Patrick\u2019s chosen city and we love welcoming the thousands of people who come each year to experience the electric atmosphere that always accompanies the festival. <\/strong><\/p>\n

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The official programme for the 2015 event will appeal to all ages and interests and it is always a treat to watch everyone \u2013 young and old \u2013 get involved to celebrate our famous city\u2019s legacy together.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Armagh City is a perfect destination for a short break this Saint Patrick\u2019s Festival as the place has something to suit every taste. Visitors have a wide range of accommodation options to choose from, including high quality hotels, bed & breakfast and self-catering accommodation.<\/p>\n

Enjoy wonderful restaurants, take in an act at The Market Place Theatre, follow the session trail across the City and enjoy the Saint Patrick\u2019s Day celebrations as you soak up the atmosphere of Ireland\u2019s oldest City!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Jam-packed schedule of events and activities promise most memorable St Patrick\u2019s Festival yet! Around 20,000 visitors are expected in Armagh for a six-day festival of events to celebrate Ireland\u2019s Patron Saint, St Patrick, and which features a jam-packed programme of more than 25 music, song, dance, comedy, art, literature, theatre and family events across a … Continued<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8719"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8719"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8719\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8722,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8719\/revisions\/8722"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8719"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8719"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8719"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}