Welcome to 2012, a leap year. That one extra day, February 29^th will have quite an effect on the 17^th March, St Patrick’s Day. How?… you may ask.  Simple!… I would reply.

It means that the 17^th March 2012 falls on a Saturday, instead of a Friday, and such an event will not occur again for another seven years. Fancy dat!

The real point of this is that the St Patrick’s weekend is going to be an all-embracing assemblage of events that will set the imagination racing, the heart fluttering, the toes tapping and the mind boggling.

A weekend that coincides with the Volvo Ocean Race boats being in town, a virtual non-stop weekend of entertainment on the waterfront, starting with the Fleadh, which follows the Parade, which will go down, rather than up Queen Street, inner harbour Volvo boat races, performances by the renowned Sharon Shannon, out from Ireland to entertain us, and of course at the appropriate hour, the Sky Tower turning green and signalling the start of the “Green Beam” which follows the setting sun on its journey around the world.

To set the weekend off on the right footing, or is it the left footing?, or maybe we’ll settle for a mighty leap with both feet together! No matter, it all starts at the 18^th St Patrick’s Festival Emerald Ball on Friday 16^th March at the Pullman Hotel, commencing at 6.45pm.

With all the Volvo boat crews and supporters in town the evening promises to have quite a nautical air, which actually is quite fitting, when you think back and remember that St Patrick himself got to Ireland by boat. Not suggesting that we can expect a potential Saint or three to arrive this particular weekend, but what may be lacking in saints will be well compensated for by the spirit of all those who attend.

Can’t at this stage disclose who the special guests at the Emerald Ball will be, but you should be surprised!

Sooooooo… book your tickets to the Ball post haste, and make sure you are present on Friday 16^th March to participate in the opening event of the festivities of St Patrick’s Weekend, March 2012.

See you there and Slán

Rodney HC Walshe ONZM

Patron

This year the festivities will kick off with the spectacular Hugh Green Parade going down Queen Street on St Patrick’s Day – Saturday March 17th! Come join us for the Fleadh straight after the parade to hear the traditional Irish bands and see the dancers perform. Further details of the Parade route and Fleadh location will be released shortly, so keep checking the website!

St Patrick’s Eve Emerald Ball at the Pullman Hotel

Friday 16 March 2012 – 6.45pm til late

After last year’s fabulous success, we can confirm that the venue for this year will once again, be The Pullman Hotel. Tickets are $210.00 per person, to make a booking contact Miranda Starck on 09 377 6191.

Volunteers

We are looking for volunteers to participate in the parade, please click on this link to register your interest in volunteering in the 2012 parade.