This year’s St. Patrick’s Festivities and Kilkenny Tradfest have been launched.
With respective launches at Kilkenny’s Medieval Mile Museum and Paris Texas on Thursday night, the full programme of events are in the wild.
Some tunes and dancing to get the @KKTradFest and @stpatrickskk launch underway at @KilkennyMMM. pic.twitter.com/jodt1gP4Fd
— KilkennyMusic.com (@kilkennymusic) February 15, 2018
St. Patrick’s Festivities: Kilkenny Through The Ages
With St. Patrick’s weekend in Kilkenny now under the organisation and funding of Kilkenny County Council, there’s a fairly packed programme for 2018.
This year’s parade theme will be Kilkenny Through The Ages, borrowing on the county’s rich history, industrial successes and sporting prowess.
Three marching bands feature, beginning with Purdue University, Indiana on Thursday 15 March; Legacy High School, Colorado on Friday 16 March; and LT Lakeville, Minnesota, Monday 18 March.
Musically, on St. Patrick’s Day itself, Ryan Sheridan and Ronan Nolan get things underway around 3pm. The now duo are booked for a free show on the festival stage (The Parade) after the actual parade.
Later that night it’s the turn of Keywest. The Dublin quartet head to Langton’s ballroom for a ticketed (€17) show, with tickets already selling. The past 18 months have seen Keywest grow their live game and fanbase in the UK, US and Europe. When they hit Kilkenny, they’ll do so in fine form.
Across The Weekend
Over the weekend you’ve also got drumming workshops for kids led by RSAG (Jeremy Hickey) in The Parade Tower. St. Canice’s Cathedral hosts the Garda Band in concert and there’s much more besides.
There’s street performances, exhibitions, North’s Funfair returns, and when you tie it all in with Kilkenny Tradfest, there’s a world of music to explore as well.
Printed copies of the St. Patrick’s Festivities and Kilkenny Tradfest programmes are available right across the city and county from today. Read the full programme online at stpatricksfestivalkilkenny.com.
