The Diplomat
Last Saturday, a massive green wave filled the newly renamed ‘Green Vía’ of Madrid with music and Celtic folklore to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, Irish culture, and the Celtic connections between Ireland and Spain.
In total, more than 700 bagpipers and 1,300 participants paraded down the Gran Vía, united by a common feeling and color: green, the color of Ireland and its patron saint. The activities of the 4th Ireland Week, a cultural initiative promoted by Tourism Ireland, continue until tomorrow, Tuesday, St. Patrick’s Day. More Irish traditional dance and music, green churros at San Ginés, Irish literature, and even the Cibeles fountain illuminated in green joined in a celebration enjoyed by thousands of people worldwide.
Bagpipers, Irish dance and entertainment groups, cultural and sports associations, vintage cars, and a large crowd filled the center of Madrid. Saint Patrick and Ireland were felt in every corner of the parade route, which vibrated to the soundtrack of the more than 700 participating pipers. Among them were members of the Irish band St. Laurence O’Toole Pipe Band, one of the most renowned groups worldwide, who traveled from Dublin to be present at this Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. Also participating were bagpipe groups from different parts of Spain: Lugo, Pontevedra, Zamora, Gibraltar, Asturias, León, Cornellá, Zaragoza… and also Madrid.
The parade also included the four members of Arcana U2 Massive Heads, the giant papier-mâché figures that accompanied U2 in their return to the stage in 1993 and who came to Madrid to participate in this 4th Ireland Week and pay tribute to the legendary Irish band in the year that U2 celebrates its 50th anniversary. On Saturday they also participated in a surprise concert at the Sol Metro station and yesterday, Sunday, in the Guinness Sessions by Kiss FM held in Callao.
The audience also saw a delegation from the IPA (International Police Association) of Madrid, members of the GARDA (Irish police), vintage cars, a bus from the legendary Irish brand Guinness -sponsor of the event- as well as entertainers and numerous organizations, including the Complutense Cisnero Rugby Club and the Madrid Harps GAA Gaelic football club, the only club in Madrid dedicated to this sport, which has the status of a national sport in Ireland.
The vibrant traditional Irish dance also had a prominent place in the parade. As in previous years, several dancers from the University College Dublin Dance Society and other Irish dance groups based in Madrid once again delighted the public with their energetic and rhythmic movements and characteristic footwork. In total, 40 groups of all kinds paraded down Madrid’s Gran Vía in honor of St. Patrick, transforming the city into a grand Celtic celebration. The day concluded with a concert in Callao featuring Bras Rodrigo and the St. Laurence O’Toole Pipe Band. More information about the events of Ireland Week can be found on this website.
