Birmingham St Patrick's Day Festival

Jenny Jones and Len Cale

Crowds gathered around the stage in Victoria Square, from 12pm on Saturday, to watch live Irish music and dancing.

Hosted by BBC WM's Jenny Jones, the programme of entertainment began with the Killeshin Pipes from County Cork, and included the  Birmingham University dancers and the Northern Irish singer-songwriter Tom Martin.

Tommy Dempsey in Victoria Square

Acoustic folk duo Fola took to the stage after Tom. Kate Barry is lead singer (she's also the Chair of Birmingham's St Patrick's Festival Committee), with guitarist Andy.

When Fola had finished, the Birmingham Irish Pipes & Drums formed a circle in front of the stage. They seemed to fill Victoria Square with their marches and 'slow airs' - they attracted many passing shoppers, too. 

Pipes and Drums, Victoria Square

After the Pipes and Drums set off towards Broad Street, next on stage were traditional Irish music band Dempsey’s Lot. Their lively jigs and reels, said singer Tommy Dempsey, would warm us up nicely for a dip in the fountain.

Due on stage after Tommy and his band, were the Madden School of Dancing, Chris Stapleton, musicians Mooncoin, and the Kilrush School of Irish Dancing.

Tomorrow (Sunday 12th of March 2006), at 12 noon, the Birmingham St Patrick's Day Parade will wind its way from Camp Hill in Digbeth, to the Bullring, then back to Digbeth.

^{By Ciarán Ryan}