Belfast St Patrick’s Music Festival takes place from March 13 to 17. The event features concerts, workshops, dance, pipe bands and a free festival village in the Cathedral Quarter.

Performers include Dougie MacLean, The Bow Brothers, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh’s band, Andy Irvine, Michael McGoldrick with the Music Generation Cavan Monaghan Cross Border Folk Orchestra, Brian Finnegan’s Hunger of the Skin band with Heidi Talbot and Toby Shaer, Ursula Burns, Brìghde Chaimbeul, Michael Rooney, Becky Ní Éallaithe, Mick O’Brien and The Olllam’s Sean O’Meara.

Highlights on Saturday March 14 include Dougie MacLean and Ursula Burns at Mandela Hall and Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh Band and Andy Irvine at Mandela Hall.

On Sunday March 15, Brian Finnegan’s Hunger of the Skin with guests performs at Empire Music Hall. A pipe band extravaganza at City Hall features Campbell College Pipe Band, Clonoe Independent Pipe Band and Major Sinclair Pipe Band. The Beartla Ó Flatharta Céilí Band and Ronán Eastwood play at Empire Music Hall.

Monday March 16 events cover Moya Sweeney and Archie Churchill-Moss CD launch at Oh Yeah Music Centre, a trad picnic with Cleamairí Feirste and Belfast Wren Boys, kids céilí with Eimear Magee and bodhrán circle, and Michael McGoldrick Trio with Music Generation Cross Border Folk Orchestra at Ulster Hall.

Tuesday March 17 brings The Bow Brothers and Aoife Scott Band at The MAC for St Patrick’s Night Concert. Workshops run from March 14 to 17 at The MAC, alongside Highland piping competitions, set and céilí dancing, sessions and two pilgrimage walks led by Kiran Young Wimberly and Jim Deeds.

A festival village operates at Cathedral Gardens and Saint Anne’s Square. Belfast City Council will announce further activities.