Derby celebrates 20 years of St Patrick's Day festivities

Hundreds of people turned out for Saturday's St. Patrick’s Day parade in Derby but the fun's not over yet!

This year marks 20 years of festivities in the city and organisers have put on an extended programme with a special celebration event today bringing 10 days of entertainment to a close.

Those looking to go green today, on St Patrick's Day itself, can enjoy a full day of celebrations at the Derby Irish Centre.

The Becket Street venue will play host for the day - and late on into the night - with a fabulous line up of infectious Irish music.

Festival organiser Nuala Gallagher said: “Marking St Patrick’s day has now become a tradition in Derby, and rivals other big cities. The festival has established itself as a must see event, something Derby can be very proud of."

"Everyone is invited to take part in the celebrations, whether you are Irish or not, because everyone is Irish on St Patricks Day!" she joked.

Fr Tim O’Sullivan, a founding member of the organising committee, added: “I have immense pride being involved for all these years, and especially in seeing the celebrations grow each year.

"From a small parade in 1995, to the wide range of Irish cultural events in 2015, the celebrations have come a long way."

Over the last week events have included an Irish heritage night, music, song and dance as well as the now annual Irish film night at the Quad.

The main celebration was, of course, Saturday's parade and Irish Post photographer John Lawton was there to capture all the fun of the day.

The parade got the day off to a great and lively start with the Birmingham Irish Pipes and Drums Band leading the way alongside Mayor of the City of Derby Councillor Shiraz Khan and Terry O’Sullivan, First Secretary, Embassy of Ireland.

A traditional St. Patrick’s Day Mass also took place at St Mary's Church followed by live music and dance performances at the Market Place in the Cathedral Quarter.