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Birmingham starts St Patrick's Day parade | Birmingham starts St Patrick's Day parade |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Some 80,000 people are expected to take part in St Patrick's Day celebrations in Birmingham in what is thought to be the biggest event of its kind in the UK. | Some 80,000 people are expected to take part in St Patrick's Day celebrations in Birmingham in what is thought to be the biggest event of its kind in the UK. |
The city, which has a large Irish community, has hosted an annual St Patrick's parade every year since 1996. | The city, which has a large Irish community, has hosted an annual St Patrick's parade every year since 1996. |
This year's parade, centred around Digbeth, was delayed after a crash on the M6 caused congestion into the city. | This year's parade, centred around Digbeth, was delayed after a crash on the M6 caused congestion into the city. |
Live music, street fairs and a market are also planned. | Live music, street fairs and a market are also planned. |
This year's theme is Irish myths and legends. | This year's theme is Irish myths and legends. |
The parade, which features hundreds of floats, vintage vehicles, carnival costumes and an Irish dragon, is due to end at 14:00. | |
Michael Grimes, a student at the University of Birmingham, said the city had a "huge Irish culture". | |
"Derry's a good craic on St Patrick's Day, but nothing like this. This is ridiculous," he said. | |
Organisers praised the good weather and said the crowd could be the biggest ever. | |
'Built Birmingham' | 'Built Birmingham' |
It will also see road closures around Bradford Street, Birchall Street, Chapel House, Stoneyard and Green Street until 16:00, although closures around the Irish Centre will remain in place until 18:00. | It will also see road closures around Bradford Street, Birchall Street, Chapel House, Stoneyard and Green Street until 16:00, although closures around the Irish Centre will remain in place until 18:00. |
The Birmingham St Patrick's Day celebrations are believed to be the third largest in the world, after New York and Dublin. | The Birmingham St Patrick's Day celebrations are believed to be the third largest in the world, after New York and Dublin. |
Birmingham Library is being lit up in green over the weekend to mark the city's Irish connections. | Birmingham Library is being lit up in green over the weekend to mark the city's Irish connections. |
With an Irish quarter and an Irish Centre, as well as community groups, organisers said Irish immigrants had made a big impact on Birmingham over the years. | With an Irish quarter and an Irish Centre, as well as community groups, organisers said Irish immigrants had made a big impact on Birmingham over the years. |
"They helped to build Birmingham for a start," Anne Tighe, head of the festival committee, said. | "They helped to build Birmingham for a start," Anne Tighe, head of the festival committee, said. |
"All immigrants, including the Irish, have had an impact on the city and we're welcoming everyone to come and celebrate St Patrick's Day with us." | "All immigrants, including the Irish, have had an impact on the city and we're welcoming everyone to come and celebrate St Patrick's Day with us." |