Saint Patrick's Day is here again, and with it comes a flurry of festivities to mark Ireland's favourite holiday.
The Irish of Brussels didn't waste any time and have been going all out with celebrations in honour of their Patron Saint for days now. A parade turned the streets of into a sea of green on Sunday and there was no shortage of cultural, linguistic and musical events over the weekend.
But the fun is not over yet. Monday is the big day and there is still an excellent selection of activities to dip into and learn a thing or two about the Emerald Isle.
Concert: From Galway to Brussels
Joran, a cider bar in Schaerbeek, is a regular hub for Irish traditional music, hosting a session every two weeks. It has gone the extra mile for Paddy's Day and is putting on a free concert on Monday evening entitled 'From Galway to Brussels'.
Music kicks off at 20:00. The bar will be open from 17:30 and will be serving food from 19:00 to 22:00.
Pop into any Irish pub on the day and most will be offering live traditional music, including De Valera's on Place Flagey, O'Reilly's on Place de la Bourse and The Wild Geese on Avenue Livingstone.
More information on 'From Galway to Brussels' here.
Manneken Pis gets dressed up
Brussels wouldn't be able to mark St Patrick's Day without Manneken Pis getting involved. The city's favourite pissing boy will don a flat cap and an Aran jumper all day on Monday in honour of Irish culture.
Credit: Wikimedia Commons / Irish Embassy
If you find yourself in the city centre on Monday morning, drop by one of Europe's most visited statues on Rue de l'Etuve to attend the costume unveiling ceremony at 11:00. Comhaltas Brussels, the city's Irish traditional music group, will provide a live performance.
And on that note, you can catch Comhaltas another time if Monday morning doesn't suit. This talented group of musicians will be playing at several invitation-only events this week. They also offer traditional music classes to anyone and everyone.
More information about the ceremony here.
Contact brussels@comhaltas.net for more information about lessons and sessions.
Networking
Brussels is a city of opportunities and its busy Irish network certainly won't be missing this one to get together over some drinks.
Ireland's collection of ambassadors based in Belgium (those representing Ireland in Belgium and the EU) will jointly host a soirée in Bozar on Monday evening. The event is sponsored by IBEC, the Irish business lobby, and is invitation-only.
Credit: Irish Young Professionals / Irish Embassy
Later in the week, Irish Young Professionals will keep the festivities going with a networking event in Grand Central Bar on Thursday 20 March. "Trainees, students, graduates, new professionals – all welcome!" say the organisers.
Irish Charity Ball
Open to everyone is the Irish Charity Ball, an event on the more prestigious end of the spectrum.
Hosted by the Irish Club of Belgium, the black-tie occasion will go ahead on Saturday 22 March at the Steigenberger Hotel on Place Stephanie.
Credit: Belga / Eric Lalmand
Individual tickets cost €135 while a table for ten is €1,250 (€125 per person). All earnings go toward children's charities based in both Ireland and Belgium: the Jack and Jill Foundation based in Dublin, Salus Sanguinis at St Luc hospital and Ecole Chanterelle in the Marolles.
From 18:30, attendees can expect a champagne reception, a three-course silver-service dinner, live music, dancing, a DJ and an open bar.
Last year's edition raised over €6,000.
More information here.
Documentary: 'Patrick: A Slave to Ireland'
A little further away but just as relevant is a documentary screening at the Irish College of Leuven about the man himself at 19:30 on 7 April: 'Patrick: A Slave to Ireland'.
This free screening of a fascinating documentary challenges our modern understanding of Saint Patrick and explores Ireland's pagan past.
Executive Producer Roger Childs, and Producer and Director Ruán Magan will join in a post-screening discussion, which will be followed by a drinks reception.
Attendance is free but registration is required.
More information here.
