St Patrick's Day Parade and Festival 2013

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Time Out says

Thu Feb 21 2013

You don’t see people making a thing of their English roots in the run up to St George’s Day, yet as the annual celebration of Ireland’s patron saint approaches, everyone seems to discover a bit of Irish ancestry. It’s no mystery really. The Irish have always known how to party and they’re inclined to extend a warm welcome to anyone willing to enter into the spirit.

The capital’s Irish community will be joined by a sizable contingent of opportunistic plastic paddies on Sunday to see the annual St Patrick’s Day parade. The floats begin their amble in Piccadilly, heading along Lower Regent Street and Pall Mall and down to Trafalgar Square. There are marching bands, dancers and a variety of community groups – not to mention the 36-metre-long púca, a spectacular inflatable dragon designed by Keith Payne, who numbers the Rolling Stones and Tina Turner among his clients, and brought over from Ireland by Bui Bolg, an outdoor arts group from Wexford. And if the kids fancy being part of the parade, this year you can simply turn up and join the family section.

In Trafalgar Square, there’s all manner of craic. Traditional and contemporary Irish music and dance acts on the main stage include Yngve & The Innocent (2pm), Kayna featuring Damien O’Kane (3.10pm), and Crossharbour (4pm). For the first time, the festival will feature a comedy tent hosted by the London Irish Comedy Festival, and a film tent, screening shorts by Irish filmmakers. There’s a food market selling Keough’s crisps, Cashel blue cheese and lots of other Irish treats, and a children’s area where kids can take part in arts and crafts sessions or have a go at Gaelic football – just a few of the many attractions on offer at the day-long festival.

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(1 rating)

Would "London Irish" not be somewhat more appropriate. Sometimes, however, offence, is taken where none is meant. Alot depends on whether the term is used in a derogatory way or not!

Kieran Bradley Mon Mar 18
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The article states that the float parade starts at Piccadilly at 2pm, I went to Piccadilly today for half 1 with my friend and her 5 year old waiting for the float parade until half 2 in the rain and later found out that it started at 12 noon....not impressed at all!

Keira Sun Mar 17
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Whats wrong with you Jan and Daniel?! Lighten up and get a life! I've called myself and my husband a plastic paddy all our lives. People find offence where they want to find it! Just enjoy your day and don't be so tightly wound up by every little thing! HAPPY ST PATRICK'S DAY EVRYONE!!

Annemarie Sun Mar 17
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I am from the North of Ireland and my wee girl and i will be there she was born in London but has a Irish passport a very proud of having it in no way is plastic Irish

johnjoe Sat Mar 16
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I agree with Stevie London.. Plastic paddy is not offensive it is a term of endearment.. It is only offensive to those that are easily offended! :) I will defiantly be hugging a lot of plastic paddies... Have a great Craic and enjoy the celebrations.. ! :)

Lou Sat Mar 16
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Thought Time Out was a reputable publication with accurate info? No surprise it's a free hand out at the tube stations now. I too was looking to find out the route but at least other sites had the correct start time and place. Disgraceful. And how patronising to call people Plastic Paddies. There are thousands of 2nd,3rd,4th (and on and on) generations of Irish over here - and proud of it!

Jan Sat Mar 16
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I am searching the net in vain to find a map of the route the St Patrick's day parade will take tomorrow. Anyone have one or know where I can find this.

Mary Sat Mar 16
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Will be a great day full of fun!

Momin Thu Mar 14
Rated as: 5/5
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Relax, plastic is great and permeates through our lives all over the world, just like the "organic" Irish. Have a great day put a smile on your face and hug a plastic paddy we're all over the place. :-)

Stevie London Thu Mar 14
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nena! aquest diumenge celebrem st patricks??? :D

merit Mon Mar 11
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St Patrick's Day Parade and Festival 2013

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