Londoners have the chance to celebrate St Patrick’s Day and taste the best of Ireland’s food and drink at the Bord Bia Speciality Irish Food Market in Covent Garden this weekend (11 - 12 March 2006).

Bursting with Irish fare - from farmhouse cheeses and traditional breads, to smoked fish and luxury confectionery - the market promises to be a gastronomic delight for food and drink lovers.

It also is key part of London’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations, which culminate this Sunday (12 March 2006) with the fifth annual St Patrick’s Day parade and festival in central London, which is supported by the Mayor of London in partnership with Tourism Ireland.

Visitors to the market on Sunday will also have the chance to catch acoustic performances by Bap Kennedy, Declan O’Rourke, Claire Sproule and The Men They Couldn’t Hang as a part of the festival, and enjoy the best of traditional Irish music with performances from a variety of choirs and Irish music schools. More live music and other activities are taking place in Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square – where the fountains will be turned green.

London Mayor Ken Livingstone, who is backing the celebrations, said:

‘On St Patrick’s Day Londoners get the chance to celebrate and enjoy all things Irish. This year’s events, organised in partnership with Tourism Ireland, will include the annual parade through the centre of London, with Irish bands and floats, a free festival in Trafalgar Square, a traditional Irish dancing Ceili in Leicester Square and an Irish food fair with Irish music in Covent Garden.’

The second largest St. Patrick’s Parade in the United States takes place in Pittsburgh on March 11.

The Parade Committee has asked for continued support in promoting the St. Patrick’s Parade and the fundraisers that help to defray the costs to the non-profit committee.