Kilkenny ready to go green with jam-packed virtual St Patrick’s Day celebrations
Kilkenny’s virtual St Patrick’s Day celebrations will hit our screens tomorrow as the people of the city and county and Kilkenny’s diaspora celebrate our National Saint’s day online.
After months of preparation a full day of events will kick-off from 11.30am and will feature music, arts activities, storytelling, animation, singing and environmental activities as the programme which has been in production readies itself for action.
Those out and about in the city and county will see the physical signs of the festival with a trail of seanfhocail – the best of Irish language wisdom-filled sayings on display on the pavements of the city’s streets and in the Market Yard while at night, more landmark buildings than ever before have been greened for the occasion.
The highlight for many will be the specially commissioned concert featuring traditional supergroup Kila, a unique one-hour live performance collaborating with Oscar nominated Kilkenny animation studio Cartoon Saloon providing scenes from the multi-award winning and Oscar hopeful feature ‘Wolfwalkers’.
The events of the day will be compered by Kilkenny’s own Evanne Ní Chuilinn and all the events can be viewed at www.stpatricksfestivalkilkenny.com
Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr. Andrew McGuinness has been amazed by the reaction to the call-out from community groups, schools and family groups, at home and abroad, to get involved.
Speaking about the celebrations, Cllr McGuinness said: “We have had over a hundred videos submitted to us, showing how we’ve become a city and county of film makers during lockdown and they contain a great display of the fun, creativity and spirit of Kilkenny.
“The quality of music and singing on view will be second to none. National stars Seo Linn, Kíla, Luan Parle, Jeremy Hickey (R.S.A.G.) and Nell Ní Chróínín will be joined by emerging family star group, Burnchurch and many other local groups and choirs,” Cllr McGuinness concluded
The festival is being supported by Kilkenny County Council whose Chief Executive Colette Byrne, is delighted with how the celebrations have embraced green energy this year.
“We are delighted that our community’s ongoing work in protecting and enhancing our environment is at the forefront of the programme.
“The innovation shown by Dr. Tara Shine, a proud citizen of Kilkenny City, in leading the education of young people in adapting to climate change, will be showcased on Wednesday morning, along with a wonderful highlights package showing the truly innovative work being done through the Nore Vision project.
“It is vital that as well as celebrating our historical achievements, that we showcase the on-going work to protect our built and natural heritage,” Ms Byrne concluded.
All the events can be seen on www.stpatricksfestivalkilkenny.com and on the festival’s social media platforms on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Youtube channel.
