The Lord Mayor of Belfast has today unveiled the programme for the St Patrick's Day hoolie at the Ulster Hall.

Details of the free concert – which will feature both traditional Irish and Ulster-Scots music and entertainment – were announced this morning when the Lord Mayor Alex Maskey welcomed 'St Patrick' to the venue which will stage the first official St Patrick’s Day celebration on March 17.

“I am delighted to be launching Belfast City Council’s first official Saint Patrick Day celebrations,” said the Lord Mayor.

“I am particularly delighted that the programme reflects the different musical and cultural traditions which exist in the City of Belfast, and I look forward to an evening which will bring everyone together to celebrate the spirit of Saint Patrick.”

Headlining the hoolie will be Celtic musicians Capercaillie, who will be joined by Different Drums, Risin’ Stour and Homegrown.

From their homeland roots in Argyll, in the highlands of Scotland, Capercaillie have toured in 30 countries across the world, released eight award-winning albums and notched up more than a million sales worldwide.

Different Drums brings together the indigenous drums of Ireland, the Lambeg, the Bodhran and a new drum of their own design, the Long Drum. They also feature the pipes of Ulster, the Uilleann or elbow pipes, the Scottish small pipes and the Highland bagpipes.

Formed earlier this year in Annalong, Co Down, Risin’ Stour are an Ulster-Scots instrumental ensemble.

Homegrown describe themselves as “a medley of local traditional musicians” who perform a set of melodic Irish traditional, Breton and locally composed tunes.

Tickets, limited to four per applicant, will be available from the Belfast Welcome Centre in Donegall Place from 9am tomorrow.

Further information is available from the Belfast City Council Events Hotline on 028 9027 0222.

St Patrick’s Day celebrations in Derry/Londonderry/Doire on March 17 also promise to be family occasion with free outdoor entertainment from 12–7pm featuring the Furey’s, Mickey Harte, the Emerald Ceili Band and Q102.9fm.

Mayor Kathleen McCloskey said: “We anticipate the afternoon’s event to attract huge numbers of people from all over the North West. It promises to be a great occasion for all the family and will be an ideal way to celebrate the occasion of St Patrick’s Day.”

The Chairperson of the Recreation and Leisure Committee, Councillor Sean Carr said: “Guildhall Square is a very popular venue for outdoor music events and I believe it is a great opportunity for everyone to have a relaxing and enjoyable day in the city centre."

The event is funded by Derry City Council and supported by the Department for Social Development.

(GMcG)