Irish heritage bubbles over into St Patrick's Day

One in five Aucklanders can lay claim to Irish blood. Doubtless, many more will boast an Irish heritage, or at least an affinity, to help celebrate St Patrick's Day.

And if there's one nation that knows how to celebrate, it's the Irish.

The St Patrick's Festival is in its 11th year and has grown to encompass a week of Irish entertainment. But it all culminates in the big day today, with events spreading across Auckland City.

The hub of the action is the Muddy Farmer on Wyndham St. The road is closed with opening time at 7.30am for an Irish buffet breakfast and the obligatory pint of Guinness. The pub is hosting various live music and dance acts throughout the day.

Other Irish pubs hosting events include Pog Mahones, in Ponsonby; The Bog, in Parnell; O'Hagan's, at the viaduct; the Claddagh, in Newmarket; and the Dogs Bollix.

Elsewhere, the Connolly Irish Dancers appear alongside top Irish musicians on the ground level of the old Chief Post Office in Britomart Transport Centre from 7pm; Bishop Patrick Dunn leads a festival Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral, Wyndham St, at 12:15pm; and the Auckland Irish Society hosts a social evening in Grey Lynn.

Police said they worked closely with the council over road closures and special events and resources would not be stretched.

"It's not traditionally an event where we have any trouble and is one of hundreds we plan around all the time," said a spokeswoman.

St Patrick was a missionary whose aim was to convert the pagan Irish to Christianity. His first visit to Ireland was as a captive of Irish raiders.

After enduring six years of slavery, he escaped to Britain, but later returned to Ireland and began his missionary work. The legends of his miracles grew and spread throughout pagan Ireland.

Irish NZ

* Almost 20 per cent of Aucklanders are of Irish descent.

* The first Governor General, William Hobson, who signed the Treaty of Waitangi on behalf of the Crown, was born in Waterford.

* At least seven Prime Ministers were born in Ireland, or of parents who were born in Ireland.