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CelticFest 2021 shows Vancouver how to truly celebrate St. Patrick's Day

The two-week-long festival features Irish musicians, storytellers and explorers through events exploring culture and history
St. Patrick's Day stock
Vancouver's CelticFest 2021 is offering a host of virtual events to celebrate St. Patrick's Day this year.

Whether you’re curious what Irish musicians and members of the Nisga’a Nation have in common, or you want to hear an arctic explorer recounting an adventure and their thoughts on climate, there’s bound to be an event for you at this year's CelticFest in Vancouver.

Here's a rundown of some festival highlights for in-person and virtual events worth checking out:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Friday, March 12

Virtual cocktail class at 7:30 p.m.

For the mixologists out there, this class will teach you to make two customized cocktails featuring the iconic Jameson Irish Whiskey, from a kit delivered right to your door.

March 13

Live online concert at 7:30 p.m.

The live online concert will feature Irish band Fire and Water, B.C. renowned Celtic band Blackthorn, YouTube sensation Allie Sherlock and Vancouver’s very own The Fight Outside.

March 14

Irish language class at 10 a.m.

Taught by Coláiste na Rinne, an Irish language school based in Ireland, the program offers three different classes. One for absolute beginners, one for those who wish to revisit language knowledge from the past and another for those with a high school level understanding of the Irish language.

CelticFest family day starts at noon

Another Irish language class starts at noon and will see that participants will come away with new skills and words such as basic greetings, colours and numbers.

An art class with award-winning Irish/Canadian artist, Deirdre Keohane starts at 1 p.m. The class will walk participants through the craft of drawing from Celtic knotwork. A list of what to prepare before the class will be sent after registration.

There is also a music class with Blackthorn Blossoms starting at 2 p.m. where participants will learn classic Irish tunes.

Lastly there is a storytelling portion geared for young and older children.

A climate change discussion – with special guest Kevin Vallely at 7:30 p.m.

Kevin Vallely is an architect, explorer and writer. He will be running an online presentation where he will speak about his experience crossing the Northwest Passage and give the audience a personal account of the danger, beauty and vastness of the Arctic. Vallely will also highlight how climate change is having a profound effect on the Arctic and its people.

March 15

Story of the Irish in B.C. at noon

This event features a presentation about the story of the Irish in B.C. The presentation will mention the different Irish historical initiatives. The presentation will also include a preview of the stories of the seven B.C. families included in the “Photo Album of The Irish – Canada”, a project coordinated by the Gallery of Photography Ireland in Dublin.  

March 16

Hearts beat: Indigenous and Irish drumming at 6:30 p.m.

Hearts Beat is a celebration of the shared traditions of Indigenous and Irish drumming, dancing and storytelling. In this hour-long session, participants will learn more about this unique community event and join drummer Sam McKay of the Nisga’a Nation, and Bodhran player Blake Williams as they share songs and exchange stories of the drums.

Traditional Tuesdays at Shamrock Bar & Grill from 7-10 p.m. 

Traditional Irish music will be played live at the Shamrock Bar & Grill on Denman Street. Making a reservation beforehand is recommended.

Puc and kick Fada competition at 8 p.m.

Participants in this event will watch a highlight reel of Vancouver Gaelic Football, Camogie and Hurling clubs go head-to-head in an online competition.

March 17

St. Patrick’s Day at Donnellan’s Irish Pub

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with your household bubble at Donnellan’s Irish Pub on Granville Street with live music. Making a reservation beforehand is recommended. Note, new B.C. public health order amendments mean restaurants and pubs face additional restrictions on St. Patrick’s Day. Sales of alcohol will be suspended from 8 p.m. March 17 through to 9 a.m. March 18 for consumption both on-site and off-site.

Traditional session at 7 p.m.

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with this online traditional music concert featuring some of Vancouver’s top musicians.


March 18

Irish soda bread baking demo at 7:30 p.m.

Sarah Elliott Gannon, owner of North Vancouver-based Irish bakery Loved and Kneaded, will host an online baking demonstration teaching the secret behind Irish Soda Bread. A list of ingredients will be sent to participants after registration for the event. 

March 19

Virtual game show at 7:30 p.m.

A virtual game show where six team captains will lead their teams in a head-to-head battle for the best knowledge and sharpest wit. 

March 20 

Craic agus ceol at 7 p.m.

This virtual performance event will feature local Vancouver artists for an evening of laughter, music, and art. 

With a file from Tyler Orton/Glacier Media