St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day Irish Fair On Saturday 10 March 2012 the 23rd annual Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, proudly supported by Brisbane City Council, will once again fill the streets of Brisbane with colour and festivity. Following the parade we will be holding an Irish Fair in King George Square, Adelaide St. The Saint Patrick’s Day Parade committee would like to extend an invitation to join us in the celebrations at the Irish Fair. This free community event is open to the public and will run from 11:00am - 2:00pm. Entertainment Tulca Mor QIA Pipe Band QIA Dancers and many more Stall Holders Celtic Koala - Irish food produce and Merchandise The Irish Shed - Irish food produce and Merchandise The Cone Queen - Ice Creams! Circa - Circus that moves the head, mind and soul Crazy Candles - Interactive Cadnle making Chameleon Face Painting - Face painting and Glitter Shamrock tattoo's Mugshots Express - Coffee Cart The St. Patrick’s Day Parade Association Inc is a non-profit organization and the costs involved in staging this free community event increase annually. To continue to provide this free event to the community, The St Patrick’s Day Parade Association actively seek corporate sponsorship from the local business community. Sponsorship Packages are available from promotions@queenslandirish.com and donations are also greatly appreciated.

Immerse yourself in the spirit of St Patrick's Day and celebrate with an energetic concert of traditional folk songs, Celtic tunes and rowdy melodies. Starring singer-songwriter and quintessential Irish-Australian, Damien Leith (Australian Idol winner, Dancing with the Stars finalist) along with his merry band, The Danny Boys , the full resonance of the magnificent Queensland Pops Orchestra and the talent of local Irish dancers , this will be a celebration of the true spirit of the Emerald Isle. As the final event featured in a week long Queensland St Patrick's Day celebration, pay tribute to Irish culture with this program of popular and classic Celtic dance and music. Performing: Damien Leith The Danny Boys                     Eric Aranda - Guitar & Vox         Steve Marin - Drums         Cesar Marin - Bass & Vox         Chris Alford - Keyboards         Lara Goodridge - Violin Queensland Pops Orchestra Dancers from the Watkins Academy of Irish Dance Don't forget to also check out the FREE Irish family day activities from 2pm to 5pm on the Melbourne Street Green then stay after the concert for a true Irish shindig in the Cascade Court.

Inaugural Brisbane Irish Festival Clear a space in your diary, the very first Brisbane Irish Festival is scheduled to take place next month, running from the 9 to 17 March. The festival, which coincides with St Patrick’s Day (17th March), has been set up to celebrate Irish culture and heritage and to recognise the strong links between Brisbane and Ireland. Tipped to be a week to remember, the Brisbane Irish Festival is a must for anyone with or without an ounce of Irish Blood. Festival goers will be treated to a packed schedule of events featuring culture, dancing, sport, film, food and music. Highlights from the Brisbane Irish Festival will include the St Patrick’s Day Parade through the city, a Gaelic sports festival, an Irish Film Night, a food fair, the Saint Patrick’s Eve Dinner and plenty of music and dancing in venues across Brisbane. The Brisbane Irish Festival is organised by the Queensland Irish Association in association with a number of the city’s Irish community groups and organisations. The Festival is proudly supported by the Queensland Government as well as Brisbane City Council. What: Inaugural Brisbane Irish Festival Where: Throughout Brisbane When: 9 to 17 March, 2012 Why: To celebrate the links between Brisbane and Ireland and to showcase Irish culture and heritage Festival Highlights: · Irish Ball on Friday 9 March · St Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday 10 March · St Patrick’s Irish Festival - Family Sports Day on Sunday 11 March · Irish Trivia Night on Monday 12 March · Rose of Tralee Fashion Parade Tuesday 13 March · Irish Film Night on Wednesday 14 March · Traditional Irish Music Concert on Thursday 15 March · The 114th Annual St Patrick’s Eve Dinner on Friday 16 March · St Patrick’s Day Celebrations at QPAC featuring Damien Leith Saturday 17 March · and much more... For more information on the Brisbane Irish Festival please visit www.queenslandirish.com or the Brisbane Irish Festival 2012 facebook page.