YOUR FESTIVAL NEEDS YOU!

ST. PATRICK'S FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 2008 PROGRAMME OF EVENTS
Thursday 13th March - Monday 17th March 2008

On Tuesday 12th February, St. Patrick's Festival announced a thrilling programme of events and activities designed "For the People, by Paddy's People!" Coming to a street near you and jam-packed with fun-filled performances for five days and nights from Thursday, March 13th - Monday, March 17th, this is your Festival, so be a part of it!

A five-day spectacular that will wow the nation, St Patrick's Festival 2008 will be a combination of street theatre, fireworks, outdoor spectacles, visual arts, music, comedy, dance, funfairs and treasure hunts. The Festival culminates with the world-renowned St. Patrick's Festival Parade, which will snake its way through Dublin city centre on St. Patrick's Day, Monday 17th March, to the delight of hundreds of thousands of people!

A premiere Festival event in 2008 is Pearl @ Docklands. Pearl is an amazing spectacle for all the family devised and performed by internationally-renowned street theatre company Plasticiens Volants (France). This enchanting performance involving giant inflatable characters is based on a simple and beautiful story of The Pearl. In association with Dublin Docklands, this is the first time an inflatable performance of this magnitude or scale has been performed in Ireland and promises to be an experience not to be missed!

Another one of the highlights of this years Festival is sure to be National Lottery Skyfest @ Cashel. Skyfest, which will be held against the iconic back drop of the Rock of Cashel, will be the first festival event to be held outside of Dublin. Expect a truly spectacular event on the site of the Rock of Cashel - an extravaganza of fireworks, music and light to enthral and entertain.

Another new event in 2008 is Baby Rave, the music and dance sensation for babies comes to Dublin. SS Michael and John will be transformed to provide an ambient setting, complete with DJ, lighting, projections and sensory floor coverings. This is guaranteed to be a fun interactive experience for babies and parents alike. Don't miss the opportunity to see your baby raving!

GaelSpraoi is an exciting series of events available throughout the festival promoting the use of the Irish language amongst visitors and residents in fun and novel settings. Participants will follow an informal itinerary of workshops, tours, gigs, and film suitable for all ages. All levels of language competency welcome! Ceol, craic agus eachtraÍ eagsula as Gaeilge!

For film buffs St. Patricks Festival and Filmbase, in association with Cineworld Cinemas and Samson Films, will present a special free screening of the Oscar® nominated Irish feature Once followed by a post-show talk with the filmmakers on Friday 14th March.

Music has always been an integral part of the St. Patrick's Festival programme and 2008 is no different. Two of Ireland's most popular musical acts - Kíla and Mary Black - are set to thrill festival audiences with exclusive performances On Monday 17th March. Two very different artists with unique styles, expect both Kíla and Mary Black to bring St. Patrick's Festival 2008 to a close in style.

Firm Festival favourites return again in 2008, such as the ever popular Arts Council Céilí Mór and the action packed Denny Treasure Hunt and Denny Big Day Out at Merrion Square. Also, scattered throughout the Festival are dozens of other music and comedy events as well as theatre performances and family funfairs, so get out there and participate - Your Festival Needs You!

As always however, the jewel in the Festival crown is the St. Patrick's Festival Parade, which this year takes its inspiration from the theme Energy. A total of 16 marching bands will take part in this year's parade with a strong American contingent present once again. Other countries represented include Japan, Italy and, or course! Ireland. A fantastical array of pageants will delight the crowds in the capital, adding lashings of colour, energy and excitement to parade 2008!

No one knows how to celebrate quite like the Irish, so be sure to join in and have the most memorable St. Patrick's Festival ever! Don't miss out on the fun and frolics of St. Patrick's Festival - see www.stpatricksfestival.ie for the full festival programme and how you can be a part of St. Patrick's Festival 2008!

FULL PROGRAMME OF ST. PATRICK'S FESTIVAL 2008

Thursday 13th March

Event: Opening Ceremony

The Festival will open with an opening ceremony officiated by the Lord Major of Dublin

Further information:
www.stpatricksfestival.ie

Friday 14th March

Event: Film at the Festival screening ONCE
Venue: Cineworld Cinemas, Parnell Street

Filmbase, in association with Cineworld Cinemas and Samson Films, is delighted to present a special free screening of the Oscar® nominated Irish feature Once followed by a post-show talk with the filmmakers.

Further information:
7.00pm, FREE Event
Booking: see www.filmbase.ie for more details

Friday 14th March

Event: Christ Church Cathedral Choir Concert
Venue: Christ Church Cathedral

An intimate evening of Choral music in the stunning surroundings of one of Ireland's most revered mediaeval cathedrals.

Further information:
7.00pm, Tickets €24 / €18.50 concession
Booking: 01 8721122 or www.ctb.ie, No booking fees apply

Friday 14th March
Event: St. Patrick's Festival Comedy Circus
Venue: Tripod

Dave McSavage, the one-of-a-kind guitar wielding street comic hosts this unique comic gathering for the festival. McSavage is a popular street performer in Dublin and the comic genius behind the Ha'penny Laughs comedy night. Joining McSavage on the night is Joe Rooney, Pat McDonnell (Fr. Eoin McLove) and John Colleary, plus special guests. Expect the unexpected!

Further information:
8pm, Tickets €25.00 (including booking fee)
www.tripod.ie

Friday 14th & Saturday 15th March
Event: Pearl @ Docklands
Location: Dublin Docklands

St. Patrick's Festival and Dublin Docklands presents the Irish premiere of Pearl by the world renowned street theatre company Plasticiens Volants (France). This is an outdoor spectacle for a family audience. Giant inflated puppets will take over the dramatic surroundings of Georges Dock to tell this enchanting story of the precarious journey of a precious pearl. Audiences will be immersed in an extraordinary underwater world of flying fish, 'joker' squids, bewitched jellyfish and a scary sea snake. An extraordinary aerial aquarium on a city scale which is not to be missed.

Further information:
7.30pm, Ticketed Free Event
www.stpatricksfestival.ie

Saturday 15th March
Event: The Denny Treasure Hunt
Locations: Dublin City Centre

The Denny Treasure Hunt is a fun-filled free event for all ages, providing a unique opportunity to explore and rediscover the city of Dublin. Participants can investigate hidden haunts and gain free entry to prestigious cultural centres. Get out your mermaid, pirate and underwater themed costumes and compete for spot prizes along the way. The swiftest, smartest and sassiest swashbucklers are in with a chance to win.

Further information:
Free Team Event
Registration: 10.00am - 1.00pm in City Hall
Finish: 5.00pm
Pre-register on www.stpatricksfestival.ie

Saturday 15th March
Event: National Lottery Skyfest
Location: Rock of Cashel

Skyfest at Cashel: In association with The National Lottery and St. Patrick's Festival will be a truly spectacular event on the site of the iconic Rock of Cashel, Co. Tipperary. This spectacular pyrotechnic, lighting, and musical gathering is designed to celebrate the spirit of The St. Patrick's Festival and the work of The National Lottery, at the majestic backdrop of the Rock of Cashel.

Further information:
6.30pm - 8.30pm
Tickets available from 3rd March through www.stpatricksfestival.ie

Sunday 16th March
Event: Denny Big Day Out
Location: Merrion Square

Bring the whole family to the heart of Georgian Dublin for one of the festival's most popular events. Merrion Square will be transformed into an oversized playground for adults and kids. Check out the Family Fun Zone, Art Pod, Storytelling Buses, Cultural Zone, Street and Urban zone with skaters and international hip hop. The Fanfare Zone presents international street performance and European street bands. Lots to do from tots to teens and it's all for free!

Further information:
Free Event
12 Noon - 6.00pm

Monday 17th March
Event: St. Patrick's Festival Parade
Location: City Centre Parade Route

The biggest and best in the world! For over two hours you will be entertained by a breathtaking display of creative talent as the Parade weaves through the city centre. Irish street theatre companies, ceremonial groups and international marching bands will create an exciting carnival atmosphere.

Further information:
Grandstand seats available online, Tickets €60.00, No booking fees apply

Monday 17th March
Event: Arts Council Céilí Mór
Location: Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2

Thousands of people will be kicking up their feet to the infectious sound of the Matt Cunningham Céilí Band playing with Seamus Begley. They will be joined by the sean-nós dancers Chlann Uí Chuinneagáin (The Cunningham family) from Galway. Dáithí Ó Sé will be MC / Fear a'Tí for the day at this, the largest outdoor Irish music and dance event in the world. Bainnígi taitneamh as ceol agus coísir ag an g Céilí mór!

Further information:
Free Event, 2.30pm - 5.30pm

Monday 17th March
Event: Kila in Concert
Venue: The Olympia Theatre

One of Irelands most innovative bands, their diverse line-up (the seven-piece play a variety of instruments including whistles, fiddles, pipes as well as brass and woodwind) fuses Traditional Irish with an eclectic blend of World music influences. Expect a high-octane Trad group performance infused with a world music sound!

Further information:
7.30pm, Tickets from €36.00 - €38.00
www.ticketmaster.ie

Monday 17th March
Event: Mary Black: Celebrating 25 Years
Venue: The National Concert Hall

An intimate musical gathering with one of Irelands most celebrated artists - legendary Irish vocalist Mary Black and her Band bring St. Patrick's Festival 2008 to a close with a special concert that covers her 25 years as one of the finest female vocalists in the world.

Further information:
8.00pm, Tickets from €20.00 - €45.00
Booking: 01 4170000 or www.nch.ie

Events through-out the Festival

Thursday 13th - Monday 17th March
Event: Festival Funfair
Location: Merrion Square

Ever-popular, the festival funfair returns: chills, thrills and near-spills guaranteed!

Further information:
Free entry & ride tickets from €1.50
www.stpatricksfestival.ie

Thursday 13th - Monday 17th March
Event: GaelSpraoi
Locations: Dublin City Centre

GaelSpraoi is an exciting series of events available through-out the festival promoting the use of the Irish language amongst visitors and residents in fun and novel settings. Participants will follow an informal itinerary of workshops, tours, gigs, and film suitable for all ages. All levels of language competency welcome! Ceol, craic agus eachtraÍ eagsula as Gaeilge! Full programme details on www.stpatricksfestival.ie

Friday 14th - Sunday 16th March
Event: Baby Rave
Location: SS Michael & John, Temple Bar

The music and dance sensation for babies comes to Dublin. Venue, SS Michael and John will be transformed to provide an ambient setting, complete with DJ, lighting, projections and sensory floor coverings. Dance facilitators will also be on hand to assist parents and children in an exploration of movement and rhythm. This is guaranteed to be a fun interactive experience for babies and parents alike. Don't miss out the opportunity to see your baby raving!! Age 0-4 years.

www.myspace.com/belfastbabyrave

Further information:
Show details -

· Fri 14th - 2 shows - 11am / 2pm

· Sat 15th - 4 shows - 11am / 12.30pm / 2pm / 3.30pm

· Sun 16th - 3 shows - 11am / 12.30pm / 2pm

Tickets €8.50 and required for both parent and child
Tel. 01 8721122 or Visit www.ctb.ie