'Forever Irish' as crowds come out to celebrate on St Patrick's Day

THE Guinness was flowing like the River Liffey, the usually elusive leprechauns were everywhere and Irish tunes were belted out at full volume.

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It could only be St Patrick's Day.The Irish certainly know how to party in Nottingham as they celebrate their patron saint on March 17. They may be miles away from the Emerald Isle but it’s still the place they call “home”.

As the city turned into a sea of green there was singing, dancing, drinking and fun by the bucket-load. Six hours of entertainment in Old Market Square started with Terry Faulkner and finished with Irish and County music from Muriel and Fran, with the Louie Walsh Band, Irish dancers and Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Nottingham in-between.

Celebrations were in full swing at Nottingham’s Irish pubs, no more so than Raglan Road. As soon as the doors opened at noon, people began arriving.

Mary Slater, of Wollaton, was born in born in Donegal and came to the UK aged ten. That was 60 years ago but she said: “No matter where you are, Ireland is always home.