Events 2010

London's events calendar is always crammed with a raft of diverse entertainment but this St Patrick's Day London is joining in the celebrations and has put together a really unique dynamic combination of Irish events.

The Sanctuary Lamp

Arcola Theatre, London, E8 2DJ
10th March - 5th April 2010

Three people seek shelter inside a Catholic church one night, in The Sanctuary Lamp, a drama written and directed by Tom Murphy and performed at the Arcola Theatre. The play is presented by b*spoke theatre, described by The Guardian as one of Irish theatre's "proudest possessions", making it an apt choice for a St Patrick's Day outing in London. Murphy first wrote The Sanctuary Lamp in 1975 and its premiere at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin caused enormous controversy for its anti-Catholic stance. It has undergone several revisions since then and its themes of redemption, love, guilt and spirituality now take the limelight. The cast of four includes Harry, the English-born Jew and ex-circus strongman, Francisco who along with Harry has been fired from the circus, Maudie a sixteen year old run away waif and the Monsignor who presides over the church. Through their night of confinement all three go through a soul searching journey with each finding some kind of redemption at the end. Scenes singled out for praise include Harry's twenty minute speech delivered to the lamp, praying for the strength to kill his wife and best friend.

More info: The Sanctuary Lamp Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Keith Farnan: No Blacks. No Jews. No Dogs. No Irish. All Welcome.

Soho Theatre, W1D 3NE
17th - 20th March 2010

Imagine you're an Irishman working in a restaurant in the States alongside an African-American waitress and a Jewish waiter, and you saw a sign up in the manager's office saying: "No Blacks. No Jews. No Dogs. No Irish. All Welcome." You'd certainly wonder what happened to the dog, that's for sure. This apparently true scenario is the starting point of the Irishman in question Keith Farnan's critically acclaimed Edinburgh 2009 show, which starts a four-night run at the Soho Theatre on St Patrick's Day. Former lawyer Farnan's comedic exploration of racism, religion-ism and immigration-ism raises many questions and provides very few answers - but promises plenty of laughs. A natural follow-up to his previous show, Cruel and Unusual, which studied the death penalty in America, the show maintains Farnan's traditional topical facade, asking whether or not in the age of the BNP and mass unemployment we can expect to see a return for such portentous and despicable signs. The show opens its arms to any ethnicity, whether you're black, Jewish or Irish. Sadly, no dogs are allowed though (except of the guide variety). "If Eddie Izzard had been Irish, he'd surely have turned out a lot like Keith Farnan," says The Scotsman.

More info: Keith Farnan: No Blacks. No Jews. No Dogs. No Irish. All Welcome. Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

St Patrick's Festivities - The London Irish Centre

London Irish Centre, London, NW1 9XB
6th - 17th March 2010

The London Irish Centre in Camden is hosting a huge variety of events for St Patrick's Day running from 6th to 17th March and including the Official After-show Party on Sunday 14th March, with special guests Bible Code Sundays helping to keep the party going following the St Patrick's Day Festival celebrations in Trafalgar Square. On St Patrick's Day itself, on 17th March, you can tuck into a traditional bacon and cabbage lunch and enjoy the live music and mass from 11am, and that night there's a 'Country & Irish Night' in the centre's McNamara Hall with dinner included in the £10 ticket price. If you'd rather be enjoying the fresh air than downing too many pints of the black stuff there's a two-hour Walking Tour of Irish Camden Town which explores the links and places associated with the Irish in this part of north London. Meet in the foyer of The London Irish Centre at 1.45pm on 17th March ready for a 2pm departure.

More info: St Patrick's Festivities - The London Irish Centre Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Annual Irish Storytelling Festival

Irish Cultural Centre, Hammersmith, London, W6 9DT
12th & 13th March 2010

The annual Irish Storytelling Festival opens with an evening concert of songs, music and spoken words with Robin & Bina Williamson, followed by a Comhaltas session of traditional Irish Music. The festival, which then runs all day Saturday 13th March at the Irish Cultural Centre, is a great way to get in the spirit for Paddy's Day. Putting Irish myths and folklore at the forefront, various tales are told by a clutch of storytellers well known for bringing make believe to life. There are appearances from Niall de Burca who tells stories for all the family, a workshop with Liz Weir and open floor session with newcomer Clare Muireann Murphy. The day finishes with a grand finale concert in the evening with stories by all three performers who are joined by special guest Colum Sands plus Bid Barnett as Irish author Peig Sayers and the centre's resident storyteller Kate Corkery as MC for the night.

More info: Annual Irish Storytelling Festival Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

St Patrick's Day - Donal Murphy, Gino Lupari, Steve Cooney

Irish Cultural Centre, Hammersmith, London, W6 9DT
Wednesday 17th March 2010

Taking place on St Patrick's Day itself, on Wednesday 17th March, Donal Murphy, Gino Lupari and Steve Cooney are putting on a concert of traditional Irish folk music at the Irish Cultural Centre. The trio regularly perform together with Limerick-based accordionist Donal Murphy accompanied by Steve Cooney on guitars and Gino Lupari on Bodhran and providing the vocals in his soulful singing voice. For this special concert they are supported by Freddie Smith who won the title of 'London Hammersmith Irish Centre's Musician of the Year' in 2002 and Phil O'Farrell who have played together for years and have recorded several albums as a duo. Well known for his accordion playing, Donal Murphy performed in Hyde Park at the premiere of Michael Flatley's Feet of Flames and, in March last year, released his debut solo album 'Happy Hour', praised for its "technical brilliance and emotional warmth" by the Irish Times.

More info: St Patrick's Day - Donal Murphy, Gino Lupari, Steve Cooney Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

London Irish v Sale Sharks

Madejski Stadium, Reading, London, RG2 0FL
Sunday 28th March 2010

The London Irish rugby team take on Sale Sharks for the St Patrick's Party match which takes place a little later than normal, on Sunday 28th March. Promising "the best craic ever!" this event at the Madejski Stadium in Reading is not just a day of rugby, but a big family day out too. There's a party atmosphere with live music, free face painting, prize draws and the chance to see yourself on the big screen. With all their players back from the Six Nations, London Irish are well positioned for a good battle on the pitch to entertain the capacity crowd. Only time will tell if the Irish can beat their performance at last season's Guinness Premiership Final when they were pipped to the post by Leicester Tigers, defeated by a solitary point. This early stage game for the annual St Patrick's match was a sell-out last year with a crowd of more than 23,500 people enjoying the action so booking in advance is advisable.

More info: London Irish v Sale Sharks Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

St.Patrick's Day Ceilidh

Vinopolis, London, SE1 9BU
19th March 2010

Celebrating St Patrick's Day wouldn't be the same without a good old Irish jig and a swig of whisky, so head down to Vinopolis with a night of high energy Celtic dancing, hearty Irish food and plenty of Guinness. Taking place on the Friday after St Patrick's Day, the event is open to people of any dancing level - whether you are a beginner or an expert, a top caller will guide even a first time ceilidh dancer through the steps. Music comes from experienced Irish swingers Licence to Ceilidh, who boast a fiddler, guitarist, double bassist, drummer and Uilleann (Irish pipe) specialist. Guests get a dram of whisky on arrival, a serving of Irish stew with colcannon mash and an Irish coffee, while there's a well-stocked bar full with beer and the famous black stuff.

More info: St.Patrick's Day Ceilidh Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Did you know??

At the St Patrick's Day celebrations in London in 2008 a new world record was set for the largest ever gathering of Pats. Over 1,100 people called Pat - Patricks, Pats, Paddys, Padraigs and Patricias - gathered in Trafalgar Square and helped set the new world record for the largest number of people with the same first name to be in one place. Some Proud2bPat participants even changed their name by Deed Poll, just for the day. There was a serious side to the mass meeting of the Pats - they not only set a new world record but also helped raise money for Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital.