YOU CAN celebrate St Patrick's Day without flying to Ireland with plenty of events taking place around France on March 17 and the following weekend.

Pubs and bars will come alive with people drinking Guinness, wearing top hats, listening to live music and getting into the spirit of an Irish knees-up.

This list is a work-in-progess: we'll be adding more events as soon as we get them so check back often.

If you are organising event, let us know by email: community@connexionfrance.com

BRITTANY

March 20: A demonstration of Gaelic football at 14.00 in Gaël (35). Parade through the streets with pipe band from Ploermel at 16.00 (children are welcome to join in the costume parade). The local hall will be transformed into a giant "Irish pub". Entertainment in the evening in the form of a concert including "Irish trio" & "Ined Noz" Food & drink served all evening. Entry fee for the evening only €5. Tel: 06 28 75 16 07.

March 20: Fête de la Saint Patrick in Salle Polyvalente, Talensac (35) from 20.00. Tel: 06 31 81 81 31 or e-mail:
yvette.sauvage@hotmail.fr

DORDOGNE

March 13: The Fiddlers Rest, Thiviers.

March 17: Irish Pub, Périgueux, music with Dulcimer group;

March 17: The Black Duck, St Crépin et Carlucet, Live music

March 17: L’Entente Cordiale, Abjat-sur Bandiat.

March 20: Château, Limeuil

March 20: Black Duck, St Crépin et Carlucet, Duck and Guinness with gifts.

March 20: Celtic Legends, Irish dance show, Bergerac Cultural Centre at 20.45. Call 05 53 57 71 51

GIRONDE

March 19: Bordeaux British Community St Patrick's Day Party. See www.bordeauxbritish.com

DEUX-SEVRES

Theil (79): St Patrick's night soirée with live music and dancing. Association PARLER-PLUS. See www.parlerplus.com

PARIS

March 7: The Celtic Dances and The Scottish Pipe Band perform at 15:00. FL'Olympia, 28, boulevard des Capucines. Metro: Opéra or Madeleine. Tel: 08 92 68 33 68

March 17: Concert de la Saint-Patrick. North Cregg. 19.30, entry €15. 5 rue des Irlandais. Metro: Place Monge. RER:Luxembourg. Reservations: adoherty@centreculturelirlandais.com or 01 58 52 10 30

March 20: Nuit de La Saint Patrick. European and French music concert. Palais Omnisports de Paris Bercy. 8 Boulevard de Bercy. 20.00

Disneyland: Mickey, Minnie and pals go green and sport shamrocks for Disneyland Resort Paris' St Patrick's Day celebrations. The festivities include Celtic music and parades on Main Street USA, Irish dance troupes and free face painting on the Castle Stage.

MONACO

March 17: Saint Patrick’s Day Concert with Irish orchestral music performed by students of the Academie de Musique Fondation Prince Rainier III, followed by a reception at the Princess Grace Irish Library (invitation only). The concert takes place at 20:00 at the Chapelle de la Visitation. Contact the Princess Grace Irish Library for reservations, Tel: +377 93 50 12 25.