Manchester’s annual Irish Festival will be turning Albert Square in the city centre green during the St Patrick’s Day Parade celebrations. The festivities run from Thursday March 8 until the parade day itself on Sunday, March 11 to celebrate its 17th annual festival.

A giant festival banner will adorn the front of Manchester Town Hall, the town hall clock will be turned green and the Irish Flag will fly over the parapets of the civic building.

It promises to give visitors a taste of Ireland with its own ‘village green’ and ‘Leprechaun House’.

The three-hour St Patrick’s Day Parade is one of the biggest parades in Europe and features over 70 floats and 1,000 participants.

It starts at 11.30am from the Irish World Heritage Centre and reaches Albert Square around 1pm.

Just over 100,000 people are expected to line the three-mile route and cheer on those taking part.

Cllr. John Flanagan, the Festival co-chair and one of the main organisers of the market, said: “The market and parade are two major highlights of the festival and attract thousands of visitors to the city and much needed tourism revenue to Manchester. We are extremely grateful to the city council and our main sponsors The Irish Post, Magners and Guinness, along with numerous contributions from the Irish community who have helped us stage a festival which is the unrivalled in Europe.”

The four-day market will be open from 9am until 6pm each day and will feature the very best of Irish craft products, music souvenirs, food, jewellery, and other product from the Emerald Isle.

There will also be a traditional Irish cafe where you can relax and enjoy an Irish coffee and a large entertainment marquee hosted by O’Brien’s Irish Bar.

The marquee is free admission and open each day with live Irish music and  food. A special Cask Ale Festival will be launched on Thursday, March 8 with ales from all over Ireland available.

More information and full listings for the entertainment marquee are listed on the official festival website at www.manchesteririshfestival.co.uk