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Irish history tours for London St Patrick's Festival

Boy taking part in St Patrick's walking tour

Please note that this event has already occured.

Key information

Start date: Friday 17 March 2017 at 2:00pm

End date: Sunday 19 March 2017 at 6:00pm

Cost: Free

Enjoy one of our very special free walks to celebrate Ireland’s national patron saint. These tours are specially commissioned for London St Patrick's Festival, and will be led by Tony McDonnell, London Blue Badge Tour Guide. Find out more about the tours on offer below.

To book your place call Tony on 07850 184790.

Walk 1: Terrible Beauty

Friday 17 March, 2pm

From the 1916 rebellion in London to independence and empire, this tour has it all. After Dublin, London was the city most connected to the Easter Rising. Not just as the seat of government from which the rebels fought to break free but through the deep connections many held with this city. This lively tour will turn the walk from Trafalgar Square to Whitehall into an amazing journey through the changes released by the rebellion. This is the London side of the story. Come and relive the excitement of those times.

Meet at South side of Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square.

Walk 2: Where the String Broke

Saturday 18 March, 2pm

From dancing and drinking to finding somewhere to doss, Camden is probably the capital of Irish London. Find ballrooms, pubs, churches, hostels and the characters who gave this place its vibrant Irish reputation for so long. Come and hear about lumpers, impresarios, navvies, writers and musicians on this fascinating walk.

Meet at Camden Town Tube station (Kentish Town Road exit).

Walk 3: The Emerald City

Sunday 19 March, 2pm

This stroll takes in Ludgate Hill, along Fleet Street, into the Temple and ends in Covent Garden. Come and discover some amazing Irish connections and meet some of the great names of the Irish past. Stopping at pubs, churchyards, statues, courthouses and theatres – this walk will bring Irish London to life. Prime Ministers, politicians, press barons, poets, playwrights, revolutionaries and aristocrats - all play their part in this amazing story.

Meet at main steps of St Paul's Cathedral.

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