Auckland celebrates St Patrick’s!

26 February 2008 MEDIA RELEASE 01

Auckland celebrates St Patrick’s!

You don’t have to be Irish to enjoy St Patrick’s Day, but to be sure it helps to be one of the 200,000 people in Auckland who lay claim to some Irish ancestry. Still, in Auckland on St Patrick’s Day, March 17, heritage never seems to matter.

Auckland will come alive for the fourteenth annual St Patrick's Festival March 10 - 17 as Aucklanders of all nationalities celebrate St Patrick’s Day, Ireland’s national day. The Festival is a celebration of all-things Irish, including music, dance and of course, convivial hospitality and the organisers say there’s something for all age groups.

Festival Highlights include: The free Guinness Travelling Hooley on Friday 14th March transports revellers between four festival pubs for a night of great Irish entertainment and craic. The Hugh Green Group Parade up Queen Street at noon on Saturday 15th March will be a celebration of Irish Pride as lovers of all things Irish take to the streets. The celebrations continue at the Guinness ‘Fleadh’ on Queen Street between 12 noon and 3pm. Join the Parade musicians and dancers for an Irish jam session on Queen Street, between Wakefield and Mayoral Drive. The prestigious 2008 Melview Developments St Patrick’s Banquet at the Hyatt Regency Auckland on Saturday 15th will be attended by local and visiting dignitaries. Irish Society Field and Fun Day includes Gaelic Football and Hurling, Music, Dancing, Competitions, Tug-O-War and much more. Monday 17th March is the great day itself. The official Irish Festival venues will feature all day entertainment and hospitality, with dancing, music and more.

See www.stpatrick.co.nz for the comprehensive St Patrick’s Festival events information. Aucklanders looking to celebrate Ireland’s National Day will find more than activities and attractions, to be sure, to be sure …

2008 ST PATRICK’S FESTIVAL PROGRAMME

Monday 10th March St Patrick’s Festival Launch at the Clare Inn Irish Pub

Och But I Dunno Show A celebration of Irish Wit and Humour at Thirsty Dog, Karangahape Road, Newton

Tuesday 11th March Och But I Dunno Show A celebration of Irish Wit and Humour at Thirsty Dog, Karangahape Road, Newton

Wednesday 12th March Hugh Green Group Preview – “ Studs”

Friday 14th March Guinness Travelling Bus Hooley 6pm – 1am The Bog Irish Pub The Claddagh Irish Pub The Clare Inn Irish Pub The Thirst Dog Irish Pub

Saturday 15th March Hugh Green Group Parade & Guinness . Fleadh in Queen Street The Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra proudly presents When Irish Eyes are Smiling Melview Developments St Patrick’s Banquet

Sunday 16th March Irish Club & Community Family Sports Day

Monday 17th March Irish Club St Patrick’s Day Festivities

Green Fire Island Concert

St Patrick’s Day celebrations at the official St Patrick’s Festival Pubs

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