Irish community celebrates St Patrick with family festival

Glasgow’s Irish community kicked off its celebration of St Patrick with a family festival at Glenconnor Park on Royston Road.
At the launch of a week-long calendar of events put together by the city’s Irish cultural and sporting organisations, Pat McAleer, of Garngad Irish Heritage Group (GIHG), said: ‘This is the fifth year we’ve been running our St Patrick’s event and we’re trying to make it as inclusive as possible.
‘We see this as a two-pronged approach to educating people: children of an Irish background are having their culture reaffirmed, saying it’s okay to celebrate your Irishness. Children who are not from an Irish background are, I think, seeing Irishness in a positive light and I think that has many good aspects to it.’
Pat believes outreach is a huge part of GIHG’s work. ‘Trying to educate people in Glasgow what the word “ethnic” means is a big job. Most don’t seem to understand that you can be Scottish, but of an ethnic Irish background and make it alright for people to celebrate that Irish dimension to their background.’
The week’s events were given the city’s approval by Deputy Lord Provost Bailie Alan Stewart, who was joined by MSP Paul Martin and Glasgow North East MP Willie Bain.
Paul Martin, who celebrates his birthday on St Patrick’s day, praised the efforts of GIHG, its committee and volunteers in growing the annual event.
He added: ‘There are so many people getting to know about this and I assure you we (elected officials) will continue to support the hard work in respect of the celebrations of St Patrick’s day and we look forward to the future.’
Meanwhile, Tir Conaill Harps Gaelic Athletic Club has launched a £15,000 fundraising appeal to replace its minbus, which was destroyed in a firebomb attack in Lambhill.
The club’s committee has asked Strathclyde Police to investigate the incident as motivated by anti-Irish sentiment.
The club raised nearly £1200 through catering and a tombola stall at the St Patrick’s festival, while a further £1,500 was added following a concert in King’s Park.
The club’s ‘Get the Harps Back on the Road’ campaign continues with a gig at the Admiral Bar, Waterloo Street, on April 29, with Anarkali, The Wakes and The Amahdains set to perform. Tickets are priced £8.

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