Both Italians and Irish are readying to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day on 17 March.
In Bologna, the five-day long ‘Irlanda in Festa’ (Irish Festival) starts on 13 March held at Parco Nord. The festival celebrates Irish culture, food and music and attracts approximately 20,000 people each year. There will be concerts of traditional folk music and the chance for visitors to try out dishes including Irish stew, fish and chips, and beef in Guinness. Related events will be held in Urbino, Padua and Rimini.
In Treviso, the two-day ‘Sport e Saint Patrick’s Day’ (Sport and Saint Patrick’s Day) event starts on 17 March. The event includes an exhibition of Irish-themed photographs, a stand selling Guinness, and demonstrations of judo, boxing, Greco-Roman wrestling and weightlifting.
In Verona, there will be a two-day concert of Celtic folk and rock music starting on 17 March at the Palacover di Villafranca.
In Milan, a three-day festival starts on 14 March at the Fiera Milano exhibition centre in Rho. It includes performances of traditional Irish dancing, conferences,
seminars, beer tasting, and concerts featuring Irish folk music by bands including Inis Fail and De Dannan.
In Florence, from 12 to 14 March at the Obi Hall Theatre is staging a series of events from food tastings to concerts. Among the performers will be Whisky Trail.
Saint Patrick was a Romano-British Christian missionary and bishop in Ireland. He is the primary patron saint of the island.
