The prizes of the Grand Raffle drawn on St Patrick's Day 2010 were:

1st prize – Weekend for 2 in Co. Waterford at the Arlington Lodge Country House Hotel (kindly donated by Maurice Keller – Managing Director) and flights kindly provided by Aer Arann

2nd prize – 'His & Hers' Quality Watches kindly donated by Richard Hayden – Rayden Engineering

3rd prize – 'Irish Scene' watercolour painted and kindly donated by Brian Evans

4th prize – Evening meal for 2 kindly donated by the Jury's Inn (Nottingham)

All prizes have been claimed.

This year sees the 11th anniversary of the Nottingham St Patrick's day Parade/Festival. Back in the centenary year 2000, who would have foreseen that from a gem of an idea and hard work from Elaine Marren and the supportive stalwart teams over the years that we would have reached this 11th anniversary milestone.

This year's Parade will be led by representatives of Waterford, joined by St Patrick (Michael Carty), school children from at least 4 local primary schools as well as other groups representing the four Provinces, the Golden Shamrock Club, St Barnabas GAA, The Nottingham Irish Golf Society, the Inspire Club, Comhaltas, and several Irish Dance academies. It promises to be a colourful event, when all these groups and more are joined at the head of the Parade by John St John playing the pipes, the Trinity School Band, the Tartenaires, and the Oriole New Orleans Jazz band to name a few.

The parade will be greeted in the Old Market Square at 12.45pm by the Lord Mayor of Nottingham and Tony McCullagh, First Secretary of the Irish Embassy. An open air concert follows.

Timetable

• Assemble at 11.00am at Forest Recreation Ground.
• Parade starts at 12.00 noon and procedes along the route: Mansfield Road → Lower Milton Street → Parliament Street → Queens Street and into the Square (map).
• Parade arrives in Market Square at 12.45pm for afternoon open air concert.

Parking

Anyone wishing to join the parade please park your car at the Forest Recreation Ground Park & Ride off Gregory Boulevard.

Alternative parking

Park & Ride Car Parks: Phoenix • Queens Drive
Broadmarsh Shopping Centre • Fletcher Gate • Victoria Shopping Centre

Bus timetable and routes

http://www.nctx.co.uk/times/index.asp

1.00 to 1.15 Trinity Showband – from the Council Hall steps

1.35 to 1.55 Glendarragh Dancers

1.55 to 2.15 Nottingham Set Dancers

2.15 to 2.35 Seán O’Se

2.35 to 2.55 McManus Dancers

3.00 to 3.20 'Oriole Jazz Band' from the Council Steps

3.20 to 4.20 John McNicholl and his Band

The draw for the raffle will take place during the afternoon.

March 3rd  – Deirdre O'Byrne is talking on Irish folktales to the Theosophical Society (on Maid Marion Way).

March 9th  –  Gill Spraggs will talk about Irish settlement in London, at the Irish Centre.

March 10th  – An infectious modern take on Irish music from Gráda at Djanology Theatre at the Lakeside Pavillion. 

March 12th  – Nottingham Irish Golf Society – St Patrick's Day Golf Tournament at Ruddington Grange Golf Club. Guests welcome – call 0796 796 87 87 for further details.

March 13th  – Deirdre O'Byrne is in Mansfield library doing storytelling for children.

March 13th  – Ireland v. Wales. Six Nations Rugby at Croke Park.

March 13th  – 'Irish Shop' in the Market Square. Opportunity to purchase your hamrock, flags and all things green in readiness for St. Patrick's Day.

March 15th  – Deirdre O'Byrne is talking about Irish literature to the Salvation Army.

March 15th  – Official launch of the Irish Festival 6.45 to 9pm. Beginning with the opening of the Irish Art Exhibition in the Council House foyer, morning and afternoon. 'Forty Shades of Green', by Brian and Mary Evans and other artists. This will be followed by the blessing and presentation of Shamrock to the Lord Mayor, Councillor Jeannie Packer. A showcase of Nottingham Irish Entertainment will be performed. As there is limited seating, this an invitation ticket only event.

March 16th – Pat Murphy will give a talk on 'Feargus O’Connor' (Chartist Leader and MP for Nottingham 1796-1855). Nottingham Irish Centre, 2-4 Wilford Street, at 7.30 (£3 - £1.50 concessions).

March 16th –'Forty Shades of Green' Irish Art Exhibition, Council House Foyer.

March 17th  – The Mass of Celebration of St Patrick will be at 10am at the Church of Our Lady and St Patrick in the Meadows Nottingham (No. 48 bus). Parts of the Sean O'Riada Mass will be sung by Seán O'Sé joined by the congregation. The preacher will be Fr. Michael Gallagher, and Fr. Michael Brown will be the main celebrant. Mass will be followed by tea and light refreshments kindly provided by the parishioners.

March 17th  – Parade & Entertainment in the Market Square featuring John Mc Nicholl and his band.

March 17th  – Celebrations at Greyfriars Club (No. 21 bus).

March 17th  – Ronan Keating is the Headline act in town at the Royal Centre on St Patrick's Day.

March 17th  – Irish film Arise, You Gallant Sweeneys! at the Broadway cinema.

May 11-16th  – Riverdance farewell tour at the Royal Centre.