St. Patrick's Day stirs up weekend festivities
Musicians perform at D-Cube on St. Patrick’s Day in 2016. / Korea Times photo by John Redmond
By John Redmond
Seoul will see a host of activities, festivals and concerts to honor St. Patrick’s Day taking place this weekend.
By far, the biggest event will be the Irish Association of Korea (IAK) annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration, themed “An Irish Welcome” (“Failte” in the Gaeilge language), at D-Cube City in southwestern Seoul on Saturday.
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 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.
The free festival begins at 1 p.m. and continues until 6 p.m.
This will be followed by “The Hooley” (party) at Club FF and Gogos near Hongik University.
The Hooley runs from 7 p.m. until 1 a.m. Admission costs 10,000 won.
Bands performing at The Hooley include Boss Hagwon, Pentasonic, Ceoltoiri Korea, the Strumpunks, Sotto Gamba and Scott Hildebrand.
Visit fb.com/irishassociationofkorea or
for more information.
Event planner Good Times ROK (GTR) in collaboration with Global Seoul Mates (GSM) is hosting a St. Patrick’s Day Hooley cruise in Gimpo on Saturday.
The group promises a four-deck luxurious cruise ship tour of the Gimpo Ara Canal with music provided by six DJs.
The Hooley package comprises a four-hour cruise, free private round-trip shuttle bus, a fireworks show and two free drinks.
There will also be catered food and a St. Patrick’s Day costume contest with 5 million won in prize giveaways and other specials.
On the third deck, Tattoo Korea will be doing some airbrushing for those who would like an airbrush tattoo.
Tickets cost 45,000 won.
Limited VIP tables cost 160,000 won and 210,000 won for eight-person tables.
Shuttle buses are available from Noksapyeong Station, Nowon Station, Hongik University Station and Gangnam Station.
The cruise runs from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Visit globalseoulmates.com/event/patricks to reserve tickets.
For more information, visit fb.com/globalseoulmates and find the event page for “GTR St. Patrick's Day Cruise 2018 after party at GSM.”