By Ellie Korchagina
The magic of St. Patrick’s Day has evolved beyond a religious holiday honouring one of Ireland’s patron saints to an international day of festivities celebrating the rich culture and heritage of Ireland. Irish and non-Irish alike can find some creative ways to celebrate by using this guide to St. Patrick’s events in Edmonton. [Photo credit: istockphoto.com/grafvision]
What better way to kick off the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations – and balance out the beer and snacks – than with a 10-kilometre Shamrock Walk through Edmonton’s beautiful River Valley? The annual St. Patrick’s Day Trail Run offers several events during the weekend such as the five-km Leprechaun Walk or the 10-km Good Luck Run. You can find more details and register through the Running Room website.
A ticket to Late Night Cello with accomplished French cellist Edgar Moreau will provide more than an evening filled with Beethoven and Dvorak. As this concert falls on March 17, the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra will celebrate in true Irish fashion. Stick around for the after-party in the main lobby for green-coloured beverages and dance into the wee hours of the night to the sounds of a live Celtic band.
For those history and film buffs who would rather avoid the crowds and green beer, Metro Cinema offers a screening of the landmark documentary Older Than Ireland. Directed by Alex Fegan, this funny and poignant film explores the lives of 30 Irish men and women all aged 100 or older. The stories explore what it means to have lived 100 years in Ireland in a truthful and charming way.
The Serca Festival celebrates the often-overlooked contribution of Irish poets, writers, artists and musicians to world culture. There will be performances for all ages, including children’s programming, theatre, an intimate nighttime cabaret with live music, with dance and poetry scattered throughout in true Celtic fashion. The multi-day festival runs from March 16 to 19 at the Alberta Avenue Community League.
Named after an informal Gaelic greeting that translates to “come here” in English, the band Goitse (go-wit-cha) is sure to attract many listeners to their unique and expressive sound. Their original compositions are heavily influenced by traditional Irish tunes and are sure to get you on the dance floor. Catch this multi-award winning quintet at Festival Place in Sherwood Park March 17.
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It’s hard to think of a better way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day than by visiting one of the Irish pubs in the city. If you’d like to enjoy both green-coloured brews as well as a good dose of Irish culture under one roof, look no further than O’Byrne’s Irish Pub. The celebrations will kick off at noon with a live Celtic jam and Irish dancers, with the party going on till the wee hours of the night.
To give your palette a break from all the green beer, explore the distinct flavours of Irish distilleries. The Alberta Scotch Society joins forces with UnWined Fine Wine to put on an evening dedicated to sampling some of the newest Irish whiskeys available on the market along with light, traditional Irish snacks.
St Patrick’s Day is a great excuse to soak in some Irish culture around town with friends and family or simply drink a Guinness while donning a green wig. So dig out your finest green attire and see what the luck of the Irish is all about this March 17!
