In Madrid, from 10 to 17 March, Turismo de Irlanda is organizing the IV Semana de Irlanda, an initiative that celebrates Irish culture and its connection with the Celtic roots of Spain on the occasion of the feast of St. Patrick, patron saint of Ireland.
During this week, there will be in the capital of Spain performances of traditional music and dance, Irish cinema, gastronomy, talks, sports and various surprises that seek to bring closer the culture and heritage of the Emerald Island, highlight the ties that connect Spain with Ireland and put in value the common heritage.
The parade of bagpipes and Celtic folklore along the Gran Vía on Saturday afternoon, 14 March, will not be missing, nor the Cibeles illuminated in green on 17 March, St. Patrick’s Day. Nor are the green churros at the famous San Ginés chocolate shop. All the information about the activities of this IV Week of Ireland in Madrid can be found at this link and on the profiles of the social networks of Turismo de Irlanda.
There will also be celebrations for San Patricio, among other places in Spain, such as in Pontevedra, Granada, Pamplona, Santander, Cáceres, Barcelona, Cabo Roig and A Coruña, whose Tower of Hercules will join the list of emblematic monuments from all over the world that for a day are illuminated in green in honor of St. Patrick.
St. Patrick’s (17 March) is the most important celebration in Ireland and one of the most widespread festivals on the planet. From the United States to Australia, through other countries such as France, the United Kingdom, Italy or Spain, there are many places that green their most emblematic monuments, let themselves be infected by the joy and Celtic folklore and pay tribute to the Irish culture and its patron.
St. Patrick’s (17 March) is the most important celebration in Ireland and one of the most widespread festivals on the planet. From the United States to Australia, through other countries such as France, the United Kingdom, Italy or Spain, there are many places that green their most emblematic monuments, let themselves be infected by the joy and Celtic folklore and pay tribute to the Irish culture and its patron.
One of the reasons for the expansion of this festival is the great Irish diaspora of the 18th and 19th centuries, mainly. In fact, it is believed that more than 70 million people worldwide now have Irish roots – and all boast that they do. From Taylor Swift to Robert de Niro via Rihanna and David Bowie. A beautiful example of this Irish pride is also represented by the actress and film director Olivia Jane Cockburn. Proud of her Irish roots, she took the surname of the great writer Oscar Wilde to shape her stage name: Olivia Wilde.
In Spain, there will be celebrations for St. Patrick’s Day in many places around the country, which shows the global character of this celebration and the many links between Ireland and Spain. Not in vain, only a few years ago the University of South Florida discovered the Spanish origins of the first celebrations honoring St. Patrick in St. Augustine of Florida, then a Spanish colony. In 1601 the first parade for St. Patrick took place there, on the initiative of an Irish priest, who organized a parade in honour of the saint to ask for a good harvest of corn.