City's Irish Quarter plans St Patrick's Day party

A city is set to mark St Patrick's Day with a range of festivities following the cancellation of its traditional parade.

Businesses in Birmingham's Irish Quarter are preparing to celebrate Ireland's culture and patron saint on and around 17 March, with a series of live music and dance events.

The celebrations in Digbeth will also include Irish language classes, whisky tasting and a Guinness masterclass, as well as a "green tie ball".

Parade organisers said with available resources, they could not put on a safe and successful event this year. The parade, dating from 1952, returned to the city last year after a five-year gap.

Maurice Malone, Chief Executive at Birmingham Irish Association and head of the organising team, said last week the decision was taken "with a heavy heart".

"Despite countless hours of planning and the unwavering dedication of our volunteers, partners, and supporters, the gap between what we can deliver with the resources and finances available and the requirements to host a safe and successful parade has proven too wide to bridge at this time."

The spectacle was previously known to attract up to 80,000 people and was said to be the third biggest St Patrick's Day event in the world.

After the 2020 parade was called off because of the Covid-19 pandemic, subsequent events could not be held because of roadworks and regeneration in the area.

Peter Connolly is the owner of Nortons Digbeth which will mark the occasion with events, including music and dance performances, during a 10-day festival.

"Our yearly St Patrick's Day festival here has become a firm favourite in the Birmingham Irish calendar," he said.

He added: "Our doors are open to all, and we look forward to inviting people to come through our doors, to explore and celebrate Irish culture, heritage, hospitality and identity with us and the partner organisations we work with year round."

Several hospitality venues have pledged support for a Birmingham Irish Quarter St Patrick's Day campaign, and event organisers said they would be launching a digital and printed map for visitors.

Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.