St. Patrick’s Day is finally here, and with Expo 2020 Dubai in its final two weeks, this is your only chance to celebrate Ireland’s national holiday at the big event, as in two weeks it’s gone forever.
The Ireland Pavilion will be holding a St. Patrick’s Festival at Expo, with a multi-strand programme of initiatives across culture, sport, community and screen.
Biggest of all, the pavilion will be hosting a free concert with Irish musicians Martin Hayes and Daithi at Al Wasl Plaza for an hour-long show celebrating the past, present and future of Irish culture.
St. Patrick’s Day at Expo 2020 Dubai schedule
Official National Day Ceremony and Cultural Performance
Location: Al Wasl Plaza
Time: 10:00m – 11:00am
Date: 17th March
Ireland’s Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, will represent the Irish Government at National Day t Expo’s crown jewel, Al Wasl Plaza. Other Irish dignitaries as well as representatives from Expo 2020 Dubai and the UAE government will join the event where the Irish flag will be raised and flown alongside the UAE’s flag for the day in a display of partnership.
Gala Concert with Martin Hayes and Daithi
Location: Al Wasl Plaza
Time: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Date: 17th March
A specially curated concert by world-renowned Irish instrumentalist, Martin Hayes and Irish DJ, ‘Daithi’ will take centre-stage in the evening’s festivities, reflecting the breadth and vibrancy of modern Irish music. The duo and special guests will deliver an energetic and captivating hour-long concert; of an Irish fusion of traditional and electronicmusic against the backdrop of a dramatic audio-visual display from within the dome. This concert will be recorded and live-streamed on Expo and Ireland at Expo channels for viewers all around the world. The concert is free to attend, however guests are encouraged to arrive early to secure a prime position at what is expected to be a special highlight.
The Irish Songbook Vol. 1
The Irish Songbook Vol. 1 is a special project for Expo focused on iconic Irish songs, in collaboration with Ireland’s National Concert Hall. This eclectic album will be officially launched by Minister O’Brien and the CEO of National Concert Hall at the Ireland Pavilion following the Gala concert. The Songbook comprises of 50 songs that are reimagined and performed each day by Ireland’s beloved Expo players at the pavilion. The Irish Songbook Vol.1 album showcases 11 of Irish tracks that have featured across Ireland’s at Expo’s various activations across the six months – you will be sure to recognise them! The album will be available on all music streaming channels for free
Community
Parade led by Irish Defence Forces Pipers
Location: Ireland Pavilion to Al Wasl
Time: 6:30pm – 6:45pm
Date: 17th March
Ireland’s Defence Forces Pipers will lead an energetic parade from the Ireland Pavilion to Al Wasl Plaza. The parade will comprise members of the local Irish community in addition to participants from Irish Dancing Schools and local GAA clubs. Music, dance and community engagement will be core components of the parade, sure to capture the attention of passers by. Make sure you wear your finest green outfit!
Screen
Animation Screenings with Cartoon Saloon
Location: Al Wasl Plaza
Time: various
Date: 15th – 17th March
Irish animation is a huge success around the world, demonstrating the best of Ireland’s creativity and innovation. The Ireland Pavilion is partnering with Screen Ireland, Animation Ireland and the Galway Film Fleadh to showcase an extensive and eclectic range of Irish animated films across Expo. Cartoon Saloon have created a special edit from some of their major, Oscar nominated, films (including Wolfwalkers, Secret of Kells and Song of the Sea) which will be shown in the iconic 360 degree Al Wasl Plaza. These screenings will be preceded by a Screen Ireland trailer and will be complemented by a series of events with leading figures in the Irish film, animation and scoring industries, highlighting Ireland’s successes and unique offering in these fields, including electrifying live performances by the world-renowned Irish fusion group, Kíla. Special screenings of these family friendly films and special film events will kick off the St. Patrick’s Festival on 15th March. These special feature screenings, Q&A talks and performances from Kíla will take place at Festival Garden on the evenings of 15, 16 and 17 March.
Sport and Fitness Events
GAA and Sport Family Fun
Location: Sports Arena & Main Stage, Festival Garden
Time: 3:30pm – 6:00pm
Date: 17th March
The local Irish sporting community (including GAA and soccer) will come together at the Sports Arena and Main Stage of Festival Plaza for a special family-fun day and blitz, with Irish sporting heroesNatalya Coyle (Olympic pentathlete) and Keith Higgins (Mayo GAA) and Treasa Norrby (Donegal LGFA) as guests of honour. Friends and families alike are invited to partake in a series of fun and interactive sporting activities across soccer and GAA to engage the local Irish community in Dubai and also engage other sports enthusiasts from other backgrounds.
Fitness Class with Maeve Madden
Location: Sports Arena, Festival Garden
Time: 5:30pm – 6:15pm
Date: 17th March
The Ireland Pavilion will partner with Founder of Queens Don’t Quit and Fitness Motivator, Maeve Madden – who will lead a once-off outdoor, free fitness class from at the Sports Arena, Festival Garden. An inclusive initiative that aims to include as many different nationalities as possible, the event is free to attend for guests to Expo and registration can be done via the Glofox app. People of all ages, backgrounds and fitness levels are encouraged to take part in the engaging event, which will also be live-streamed through Maeve’s online platform to reach a global audience.
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