Saint Patrick’s Day Events in Bucharest 2015

Although the Irish community in Romania is not large (estimated at about 200 citizens), its members are extremely active in promoting their native culture and they are joined by many Romanian friends of Ireland who are connected to the country through marriage or business or cultural links.

This year, a very full programme of events was organised, the highlight being the Embassy reception on St Patrick’s Day itself in the elegant and storied Athenée Palace Hilton Hotel. Around 550 guests attended and they were entertained with Irish dancing by local Romanian troupe, Irish Way, and by the traditional Irish music group, Craythur’s Dhrop, who travelled from Ireland especially for the occasion.

The event that marked the beginning of the four-day Festival was the Gala St Patrick’s Ball, organised by members of the Irish Romanian Network, and held in the Radisson Blu Hotel on Saturday 14 March.  This was attended by around 150 people and they were entertained for the evening by Irish ex-pat Haydn Deane and his Big Band. 

On the evening of Monday 16 March, a short ceremony was held to launch the greening of the iconic InterContinental Hotel and the adjacent National Theatre of Bucharest and both buildings remained green over the evenings of 16/17 March.

On Sunday 15 March a short parade made its way through the pedestrianized Old Centre of Bucharest and terminated at an outdoor stage in Lipscani Street where a free concert was held.  This was a well- attended event which lasted into the night and featured several local Irish traditional groups, including Black Beers and The Sorted Session, and the STEYsha School of Irish dancing.  On the same evening, in the nearby Arcub, the performers from Irish Way gave a dazzling display of Irish and international dance to a very appreciative audience.