Irish bring big cultural event to Seoul for St. Pat's Day

By John Redmond

While many global citizens bring cultural celebrations to new countries to mark traditional events, few are unaware of the Irish St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, usually comprising of a parade, a concert and lots of dancing.

The Irish Association of Korea (IAK) aims to share Ireland’s rich culture and Celtic history with the people of Korea and it hopes to achieve this through a feast of Irish dancing, Irish traditional music and audience participation.

This year, the IAK will present the 17th annual St. Patrick's Day celebration, themed “An Irish Welcome” (“Failte” in the Gaeilge language), at D-Cube City in southwestern Seoul on March 17.

"The IAK wants to share Ireland's rich culture and Celtic history with the people of Korea and it hopes to achieve this through a feast of Irish dancing, Irish traditional music and audience participation," the event organizers said.

Founded in 1996, the IAK, a nonprofit organization, promotes Irish culture in Korea by presenting Irish-themed events throughout the year, as well as supporting charity projects.

The open-air festival will feature traditional and modern sounds of Ireland through many talented musical and dance acts.

Originally there was also a St. Patrick’s Day parade, but this had to be scrapped due to an increased number of participants.

On the day you will hear a variety of instruments, like the Irish tin whistle, the fiddle and the accordion.

You can watch a fusion of traditional and modern Irish dance performed by award-winning Korean dancers while also listening to the sounds of old-style Irish singing and Irish-influenced rock music.

There are plenty of family-orientated and fun cultural activities to be enjoyed, like face painting with traditional Irish symbols and demonstrations of Irish sport by Seoul’s very own GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) team. You also can learn to speak the Irish language Gaeilge and participate in learning an Irish musical instrument.

All are invited to participate in a fancy dress competition based on the “Irish Welcome” theme.

The best-dressed lad or lass will have a chance to win a great prize.

On the day, event participants will also have the chance to win return flights for two to Ireland, thanks to sponsor Etihad Airways, which flies fly to Ireland daily via Abu Dhabi.

“The St. Patrick’s Day Festival, organized by the IAK, is going to be a fun, festive day for all the family,” Ambassador of Ireland Julian Clare said. “It is a chance for Koreans, Irish, and our friends from all over the world to come together in D-Cube City Plaza to celebrate this global Irish day together.

“I encourage you to come along and enjoy Irish music, dance, food, and the famous Irish warmth and welcome. It will be my first festival and I’m really looking forward to seeing you there.”

IAK Chairperson Andrew Kilbride said: “For people from Ireland or those of Irish heritage, St. Patrick’s Day is a very important time to celebrate a culture familiar to them. St. Patrick’s Day is also a chance for Koreans and those from the wider community to learn and experience something new and exciting. Come along and enjoy being Irish for the day.

“This year's festival is very kindly sponsored by Etihad Airways (who are providing our grand prize), along with Daesung and Korean Air, who have very kindly sponsored the festival. They are working very hard with us to give everyone in Korea the unique opportunity to experience the music, dance and arts from Ireland.”

St. Patrick is the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland. St. Patrick is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. He is most known for driving snakes from Ireland. To this day, there still are no snakes in Ireland.

The free D-Cube City festival will begin at 1 p.m. and continue until 6 p.m.

The Hooley runs from 7 p.m. until 1 a.m., with admission of 10,000 won.

Musicians at D Cube include Sweet Murphy’s Fancy, The Strumpunks, Just in Time, Boss Hagwon, Ceoltoiri Korea and Celtic Asia performing Irish traditional music played by Korean and Japanese musicians.

Dancers will be Tap Pung, a Korean Irish dance troop.

Bands performing at The Hooley include Boss Hagwon, Pentasonic, Sweet Murphy’s Fancy, Ceoltoiri Korea, The Strumpunks, Just in Time, Sotto Gamba, Scott Hildebrand and Jason Lisko.

For more information, visit the Irish Association of Korea Facebook page, Twitter @IrishinKorea or

www.irishassociationofkorea.kr

for details on the giveaways, festival and Hooley lineups.