GET your Guinness at the ready as Warrington Irish Club has teamed up with Golden Square Shopping Centre to host the town's first St Patrick’s Irish Festival.

With live music, dance performances, a late night party and fundraising for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital - this all-day festival is not to be missed.

On Saturday, March 16, Golden Square’s Old Market Place will transform into Warrington’s St Patrick’s Irish festival from 11am, which will see entertainment from Warrington Irish Club dancers, Robinson Academy of Dance, Ward-Mallinson Dance, and the Rodgers Academy of Dance. Plus music from The New Silver Dollar, Tom Stenson, The D’ukes of Longbarn ukulele band and The Bogtrotters.

Shoppers and festival-goers will also have the chance to enjoy a Guinness bar as well as Irish stew until 6pm, then the St Patrick’s celebrations will move into Flanagan’s new Irish bar, all while helping to raise funds for The Gatherings charity and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.

Ian Cox centre manager at Golden Square, said: “We’re so pleased to have the opportunity to take part in Warrington’s first St Patrick’s festival this year.

“The Old Market Place is going to be buzzing with excitement, music and celebrations and we’re looking forward to seeing everyone having a great time. The Gathering/Warrington Irish Club has fundraised thousands of pounds for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital over the years, so we’re encouraging our shoppers and visitors to donate what they can for such a brilliant cause.”

Chris Whitehead and James Keenan members of Warrington Irish club added: “A Gathering was formed in Ireland in 2013, which brought people together through music, sport and dance. A group of members from Warrington Irish Club headed to a Latchford Albion A.R.L.F.C match against The Limerick Cowboys where they took part in The Gathering.

"In 2014, we formed The Gathering in Warrington with various events, projects and fundraising for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. Each year Warrington Irish Club host a St Patrick’s Day parade.

"This year with the help of councillor Mike Hannon and Ian Cox at Golden Square we have been able to launch the town’s first St Patrick’s Irish festival.”

Councillor Mike Hannon (LAB - Orford), said: “I was approached following last year’s St Patrick’s walk in Warrington and I thought this idea for a town-wide celebration was an excellent idea.

“Golden Square’s Old Market Place is an excellent location to host the festival and I was so pleased to receive support from Ian and the team at the centre. We hope to see the debut Irish Festival be a huge success and make this an annual event in the Warrington calendar.”