Take your mums to town on St Patrick’s Day weekend

Mum’s the word for St Patrick’s Day celebrations in Cork, where it is hoped as many as 70,000 people will visit the city.

Cork City Council last night announced details of a three-day festival which will run from March 17-19 and feature a number of free family fun events.

“It’s the first time in many years that Mother’s Day has also fallen on St Patrick’s weekend, and so in honour of that we are urging all families to take their mum to town,” saidLord Mayor of Cork Cllr Terry Shannon.

Speaking at the festival launch, he said there would be entertainment for all the family under the theme Going For Gold: Cork Games 2012.

The event is being sponsored by Cork Airport. Marketing manager Kevin Cullinane said the influx of visitors through the airport heralds the start of the tourism season. “It’s a fantastic time to be in Cork and we expect large numbers to arrive this year in particular as the festival falls on the weekend.”

Festival highlights will include the Barry’s Tea Food Market as well as free on street entertainment including colourful street performers and live bands on the Living Social Music Stage which will also be on Grand Parade on St Patrick’s Day and switched to Patrick St on Sunday and Monday.

The parade will start at 1pm at the top of South Mall, weaving down to Grand Parade and finishing on Patrick’s St. The entry deadline for parade participants has been extended until Friday, Mar 2.