Paint the town green in the run up to St Patrick's Day with this nifty guide to Irish festivities. Whether you’re gagging for a Guinness or crazy about colcannon, Manchester will have something that’s right up your street.
1. Parade and after-party
On Sunday March 15, the city will host the annual St Patrick’s Day Parade. At 11.30am, the floats will line up outside The Irish World Heritage Centre on Queens Road and begin their procession towards Albert Square, arriving at around 1.30pm. Tens of thousands of people are expected to show up to wave on the green army, and fancy dress is encouraged. There are plenty of after-parties to choose from, including O’Shea’s on Princess Street, or the lesser-known Shamrock pub on Bengal Street (just a stone’s throw from the city’s Northern Quarter). Both boast live music and are guaranteed a lively atmosphere.
2. Irish market
Forget the illuminated Father Christmas, who wants to see the town hall lit up like an enormous shamrock? And that's not all you’ll get - the Manchester Irish Markets are the hub of the St Patrick's Day celebrations and include stalls offering traditional Irish cuisine, live entertainment, fairground rides and a huge selection of pick n mix for the kids. This year the markets have expanded to cover not only Albert Square but St Ann's Square too. Vendors will be operating until Sunday and the all-important Guinness tent will be sticking around until the grand St Patrick’s day finale on March 17.
3. Irish Festival 20 year exhibition
2015 marks the 20th year of the Manchester Irish Festival. There are events on across the city - from live singers at the Irish Heritage World Centre, to a concert by Klondyke Music School at Chorlton Irish Club, to a display of nostalgic memorabilia from the past two decades at the Union Inn in Levenshulme.
4. Historic texts handling
Central Library will be displaying treasures from the city’s Irish archives on St Patrick’s Day. The items, including bibles and texts written in Irish dating back to the late 18th century, will be on show in the Shakespeare Hall from 12-2pm on March 17.
5. Comedy
Dylan Moran’s ‘Off the Hook’ tour is coming to Salford. Watch the uproarious star of Black Books perform his latest stand-up show on Sunday March 15 at 7.30pm. There are still tickets available from the Lowry box office for £26.
If that’s a little over budget, why not check out The Frog and Bucket’s Irish-themed comedy night in aid of The Christie. Doors open at 7pm on March 17, with the show starting at 8pm. Tickets are £7.50/£5 concessions. Additional entertainment on the night includes an Irish quiz, a raffle, Gaelic games and more.
6. Whiskey tasting
If you're a whiskey connoisseur get yourself down to The Old Monkey on Portland Street. Whiskey experts will be plying punters with 5 different tipples, each carefully paired with a dish from the auld country. This event takes place on the big day at 8pm sharp. Latecomers will not be admitted, so make sure you arrive early. Tickets are £20 – well worth it if you want to avoid the swarms of Guinness hats that overtake the city at this time of year.
7. Gala dinner
If you’re feeling even more extravagant this S. Patrick’s Day, The Metropolitan in West Didsbury will be hosting their annual gala dinner. Tickets are priced at £40 and include drinks and oysters on arrival, followed by an à la carte dinner of braised beef in a Guinness and thyme jus with colcannon potatoes. Dessert will be chocolate tart with Bailey’s ice cream and the meal is rounded off with an Irish coffee. Indulgent, delicious and all for a good cause; this feast will be raising money for The Christie.
8. Gaelic Mass
The Gaelic mass on the Sunday before St Patrick’s Day has been a long-standing tradition at the Irish World Heritage Centre in Cheetham Hill. This will be the mass’s final year, as Father John Ahern (who has been delivering it in the original Gaelic tongue for 21 years) will be retiring and returning to his native Kerry. This may be your last chance to hear what a traditional Irish mass sounds like, so be sure to get there for 9am.
9. Learn Irish dancing
Put a spring in your step this March with Irish Set Dancing at St Mary's Parish Centre in Levenshulme on March 18 at 8pm, or at St Kentigern’s, Fallowfield on March 19 at 7pm.
There will also be a traditional Irish ceili held inside the town hall in Albert Square after the parade.
10. Guided walk
If dancing isn’t your cup of tea, how about a spot of Irish walking? The Irish Manchester guided tour sets off from Manchester Oxford Road station at 2.30pm on Saturday and covers subjects such as Brendan Behan, George Best, Little Ireland and even includes a singalong of The Waxie’s Dargle. £7 / £6 concessions.
11. Cheer Ireland on in the Six Nations
If you're into the rugby, you can show your support for Ireland in the Six Nations fixture against Wales on Saturday. Make your way down to Mulligans near Deansgate or The Bowling Green in Chorlton for the 2.30pm kick-off.
12. 25 Card Drive
Try your luck at Ireland’s national card game. The games begin on Monday March 16 at St Kentigern’s Irish Social Club in Fallowfield and beginners are welcome. If you’re staying nearby, pop back the next morning and fill yer boots with a full Irish Breakfast from 11 ‘til 2.
13. Mothers' Day special
Don’t forget to treat yer mammy this Mothers' Day. St Kentigern’s Irish Club in Fallowfield is holding a special celebration with lots of food, a live band and DJs 'til late.
14. Skiing
Chill Factore is offering free skiing to anyone who shares a name with Ireland’s snake-chasing Patron Saint. If your name is Patrick or Patricia (or if you have a birthday on March 17) simply take along some ID and enjoy an hours’ skiing or snowboarding on the house. This offer only applies on Tuesday March 17.
See more things to do in Manchester from Time Out.