Auckland celebrates St Patrick’s!

You don’t have to be Irish to enjoy St Patrick’s Day, but to be sure it helps to be one of the 200,000 people in Auckland who lay claim to some Irish ancestry.

Still, in Auckland on St Patrick’s Day, March 17, heritage never seems to matter.


Auckland will come alive for the fourteenth annual St Patrick's Festival March 10 - 17 as Aucklanders of all nationalities celebrate St Patrick’s Day, Ireland’s national day.

The Festival is a celebration of all-things Irish, including music, dance and of course, convivial hospitality and the organisers say there’s something for all age groups.


Festival Highlights include:

The free Guinness Travelling Hooley on Friday 14th March transports revellers between four festival pubs for a night of great Irish entertainment and craic.
The Hugh Green Group Parade up Queen Street at noon on Saturday 15th March will be a celebration of Irish Pride as lovers of all things Irish take to the streets.
The celebrations continue at the Guinness ‘Fleadh’ on Queen Street between 12 noon and 3pm. Join the Parade musicians and dancers for an Irish jam session on Queen Street, between Wakefield and Mayoral Drive.
The prestigious 2008 Melview Developments St Patrick’s Banquet at the Hyatt Regency Auckland on Saturday 15th will be attended by local and visiting dignitaries.
Irish Society Field and Fun Day includes Gaelic Football and Hurling, Music, Dancing, Competitions, Tug-O-War and much more.
Monday 17th March is the great day itself. The official Irish Festival venues will feature all day entertainment and hospitality, with dancing, music and more.


See www.stpatrick.co.nz  for the comprehensive St Patrick’s Festival events information.

Aucklanders looking to celebrate Ireland’s National Day will find more than activities and attractions, to be sure, to be sure …


2008 ST PATRICK’S FESTIVAL PROGRAMME



Monday 10th March St Patrick’s Festival Launch at the Clare Inn
Irish Pub


Och But I Dunno Show

A celebration of Irish Wit and Humour at

Thirsty Dog, Karangahape Road, Newton




Tuesday 11th March Och But I Dunno Show
A celebration of Irish Wit and Humour at

Thirsty Dog, Karangahape Road, Newton



Wednesday 12th March Hugh Green Group Preview – “ Studs”



Friday 14th March Guinness Travelling Bus Hooley 6pm – 1am
The Bog Irish Pub

The Claddagh Irish Pub

The Clare Inn Irish Pub

The Thirst Dog Irish Pub



Saturday 15th March Hugh Green Group Parade & Guinness .
Fleadh in Queen Street


The Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra proudly presents When Irish Eyes are Smiling


Melview Developments St Patrick’s Banquet



Sunday 16th March Irish Club & Community Family Sports Day



Monday 17th March Irish Club St Patrick’s Day Festivities


Green Fire Island Concert


St Patrick’s Day celebrations at the official

St Patrick’s Festival Pubs