Celtic music, floods of beer, popular song and dance, traditional Irish dishes and flavours. All these are the ingredients that every year colour the city of Florence «Irish green» with the event «Ireland festival».

For the seventh year running in the area of the new Saschall theatre (ex teatro Tenda) on the Lungarno Aldo Moro, returns the celebration of the Irish patron saint, Saint Patrick, protector of the Northern European island which every year brings back to Tuscany a slice of Irish land green and atmosphere.

Celebrations will start the 8th of March to end the day of the Irish patron saint: the 17th March. And precisely Saint Patrick's Day, Sunday 17th March, all those called «Patrizio and Patrizia» (Patrick in feminine and masculine forms in Italian) will be able to access free to the party. Every evening there will be six hours of live music, starting at 7.30 pm, as well as dances and popular balls and the chance to taste traditional Irish flavours. Also, in some little stands, you will be able to buy books, clothing and albums of true Celtic tradition.

Over ten days on schedule «Irlanda in festa» will host great artists of the national and international musical landscape: the 9th of March Laurie Rasmussen (in the picture) will transmit the harmonious notes of her Celtic harp at the Saschall; double appointment with the Modena City Ramblers the 12th and 13th March (entry 10 € and reduced 8 €) and the following day Dave Cousin's legendary Strawbs. And then also Irish and Celtic area music: Friday 8th Whisky Trail; the 10th Feenish; the 15th Cian; Saturday 16th Comunn Mor finishing the 17th with Sharon Shannon.

Irlanda in festa
When: from the 8th to the 17th March
Where: Saschall - Lungarno A. Moro Florence
Times: from 7 pm till late at night
Entry ticket: 7 € full and 6 € reduced. Saturday 6th and 17th, 8 € full and 7 € reduced.
Info: 0556503068 or visit the Saschall site.

March.2002

Saschall (In Italian)