Video: The 2016 parade enters Nottingham’s Old Market Square
The popularity of the St Patrick’s day events in Old Market Square prove you definitely don’t have to be Irish to join in the annual celebrations.
Sean Brereton, 57, from Sherwood came to Nottingham from Dublin when he was 15 years old.
He was among the crowds on Thursday who gathered to cover the city in a sea of green.
He said: “People shouldn’t forget where they came from, and that’s a big part of St Patrick’s Day – remembering where you come from even if you are now living in Nottingham.”
Sean, who was taking part in the march for tenth time, married an English woman and now has three children who also support the day.
He added: “Everyone knows when St Patrick’s day is, yet I have to remind my wife who is English when St George’s Day is.”
Like Sean, many people spent the day with friends and family singing songs – and having a few celebratory drinks.
Micheal Burn, who lives in Nottingham but is from County Kildare in Ireland said: “I come every year, there’s a good atmosphere, it’s for everybody this parade.”
Although the festival received less funding from the Irish Government this year, and there was a much smaller parade the square was still packed with entertainment, fresh food stalls, and people dressed up to celebrate.
Jerry Carey from St Kitts said: “Everyone should celebrate St Patrick’s day, it’s great to just be around everyone and enjoy the atmosphere.”
