By John Redmond
Seoul’s annual participation in the international celebration honoring Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland and the man accredited with having brought Christianity to Ireland, will start off in Insa-dong on March 19.
One of the capital’s most popular and widely participated in cultural events continues with the support of Daesung Corporation, Seoul Global Center, the Embassy of Ireland and a number of individual and private sponsors. The 11th Saint Patrick’s Festival in Seoul will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Having attracted over 15,000 spectators in the past, the Irish Association of Korea (IAK) said that this year’s festival will concentrate on music and dance performances.
Every festival has been a showcase and celebration of Irish culture and the open air concert, which has become synonymous with Saint Patrick’s Day in Seoul, will be the centrepiece.
This year will see traditional folk-dancers and musicians playing Irish music, including both traditional and popular rock, all coming from Korea. Musicians from Ireland will also feature heavily on the bill. There will also be a performance by the United States 8th Army Band, who will perform Irish songs.
Members of the public are invited to get involved with activities offered such as folk-dancing, which will take place on the main stage.
Also, a display of Gaelic football ― a unique national sport from Ireland ― will be presented by the Seoul Gaels Gaelic football team, one of the most successful teams in Asia. They will be hosting the Asian Gaelic Games in Korea later this year with teams from all over region coming to play Ireland’s national sport.
Following the festivities in Insa-dong, two more parties will take place at different locations in Seoul. Both parties are designed to suit different audiences. The Hooley, the name of both parties, will start from 6.30 p.m. in Itaewon and 7 p.m. in Gangnam.
The Itaewon location is JR Bar where there will be a focus on traditional and other forms of Irish music. The first performance will start at 7 p.m. with music continuing on until 1 a.m. The will be a small cost at the door but the event will include special offers on drinks.
The Gangnam Hooley will be a much larger affair. Hosted again by Dublin Terrace, several bands will play a variety of Irish and international rock music throughout the night. For 50,000won customers will be given unlimited Guinness and other drinks all night, or for 40,000 for those who consist of a party of ten people or more. For those who drink less, the price is just 30,000 won for two pints of Guinness plus one other drink. Free food is included.
The IAK is a group of volunteers, from Ireland, Korea, and other countries, who rely on the spirit of the community and other groups to make their events a success.
For more information and updates log onto www.iak.co.kr or contact Conor O’Reilly on conor_o_reilly@yahoo.co.uk and Tom Coyner on tom@softlandingkorea.com.
Besides the IAK celebrations, pubs and bars around the country will be encouraging their customers to dress in green and get into the spirit of things. The Wolfhound Busan will open its doors at 5 p.m. tomorrow with green beer, four green jello shooters for 10,000 won and Irish music will play all night.
The original Wolfhound in Itaewon will start the festivities on St. Patrick’s Day itself with live Irish music by the Hobbyists. If you wear green, Paddy’s Happy Hour runs from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday offering green beer for 2,000 won and classic Irish sporting matches will be shown all day. The party continues Saturday culminating with Ireland taking on England at 2 a.m. in Six Nations rugby. For more information visit www.wolfhoundpub.com
Roofers will kick off its proceedings tomorrow at 7 p.m. with prizes to be won all night. There will be drinking games and an Irish jig contest.
To get to Roofers, leave exit 3 of Itaewon Station (line 6). Walk straight until you come to Dunkin Donuts. Turn right just after Dunkin Donuts.
The Big Chill in Suwon is again holding its St. Patrick’s Day party tomorrow. The Big Chill is located across from Hotel Central in Namun.
On Saturday Rhythm and Booze in Bucheon will hold its St. Patrick’s Day party. The bar is in Jungdong directly behind the CGV, near the Hyundai Department Store.