Paddy and pals set to party all week

JUST like Christmas, Paddy’s Day seems to be arriving earlier and earlier every year.

This time, St Patrick's Festival has been extended from four days to a full week of festivities, beginning on Tuesday, March 11.

Launching the eighth festival in Dublin last night, Tourism Minister John O'Donoghue said the event encapsulated the essence of the Irish welcome.

"What better way to show your visitors a welcome than to throw them a party," he said.

He pointed out that the Government, through Bord Fáilte, was investing over €800,000 in this year's festival.

The Dublin parade on March 17 promises to be an incredible spectacle with an 80% increase in performers, from 1,970 last year to 3,500 this year.

The theme chosen for this year's parade Voyages and Visions will be inspiring the 13 street theatre groups and 18 Irish and international bands taking part.

Bigger presentations can be expected from top street theatre groups, such as the Wexford-based Bui Bolg and Inishowen Carnival group from Donegal. Joining them will be new companies from Cork, Omagh, Co Tyrone and Kildare.

Up to 700 transition year students who are participating through the AIB Brighter Futures Project will also be painting the town green.

In the past three years, about 5,000 transition students have been involved in the project designed to encourage participative arts work directly related to the festival.

The parade's Grand Marshal has yet to be announced. Last year the honour fell to former Ireland football manager Mick McCarthy.

Once again there will be lots of fireworks along the north and south quays. This year's theatre of fire is expected to be made all the more magical with a specially commissioned soundtrack.

A new event for this year is the St Patrick's Festival Symposium that will bring together key figures in the business, the arts and society.

Contributors will include management guru Charles Handy; Irish Times editor Geraldine Kennedy; columnist Fintan O'Toole; homeless campaigner Sr Stanislaus Kennedy and Irish Museum of Modern Art director Declan McGonagle.

Other new events will feature Irish art, literature and music.