Thursday 17 March is, of course, St Patrick’s Day, a religious festival which has now become a worldwide celebration of Ireland and the Irish. Here at the Centre, we’re paying homage to our friends from the Emerald Isle with a number of events taking place next week.   

On Tuesday 15 March, Linten Adie and friends from the Scots Music Group regale us with Irish songs and tunes at a special Café Ceilidh, while on St Patrick’s Day itself John and Noreen Hamilton shares tales at Café Voices: St Patrick’s Day. There will also be an open floor spot section, inviting other storytellers and audience members to share their favourite Irish stories.

The spotlight falls onto Ireland’s and Scotland’s shared folklore on Friday 18 March, as Donald Smith and David Campbell host a workshop on the stories of Finn McCool: an unfailing source of entertainment, delight and beauty, much loved in both countries. Donald and David will share the background to tales such as The Lovespot and The Grey Dog before helping participants explore ways of retelling them and how best to express the emotions within.

The events are part of the fringe of Edinburgh’s Festival of Ireland, which takes place across the city from 9-13 March. Find out more at edinburghsfestivalofireland.org.

Those interested in Ireland’s history may also wish to attend James Connolly: The Fight for Independence, a one-man play recounting the life of the Irish republican and socialist leader born in Edinburgh’s Cowgate. See it here, directed by playwright Martin McCardie and performed by actor Brian McCardie, on Saturday 26 March.