English translation of the flyer
【Date】5th April, 2025 (Sat.)
【Venue】AOBA no KAZE Terrace (outdoor terrace/ lawn area)
【Address】International Center Station 2F, 2-1 Aobayama, Aoba Ward, Sendai
【Time】Performances 13:00〜17:00 / Greening ceremony 17:30
【What is “St. Patrick’s Day in Sendai”?】
“Daté na Ireland Matsuri – St. Patrick’s Day in Sendai” is the result of efforts of local performers of Irish music, who joined forces with an Irish lad living in Sendai to bring St. Patrick’s Day back to Sendai after 16 long years. For one night, one of the most iconic symbols of Sendai, the statue of Date Masamune, will be illuminated green, and the magic of Irish music will ring out across the slopes of Aobayama.
【Featuring performances by】
・ Sendai Irish
・ Weekend Fantasia from Barm’s
・ Tohoku University Celtic Music Research Group Iris
・ Irish Moonlight Ensemble
・ Trapezoid
・ Bochii Band
・ TRAD
※Order TBC
There will be an open music session after the event!
IRISH PUB CRAIC Ichibancho 19:00 ~
No reservation required to listen!
※Check our social media and website for details on joining in the session.
【Chairperson greetings】
Dia dhuit, a chara! (Greetings!)
My name is Eli, chairperson of the St. Patrick’s Day in Sendai Committee. Firstly, I would like to sincerely express my thanks for showing interest in “St. Patrick’s Day in Sendai 2025”.
My motivation for starting this event began with a wish to give back to Sendai. If it weren’t for the consideration and kindness of the people here, I would never have been able to find my place in Sendai when I first arrived here from Ireland. It goes without saying that this event would never have been possible either, were it not for the tremendous work and effort put in by those I have had the fortune of meeting here.
On St. Patrick’s Day everyone is welcome to join in the festivities. As the saying goes: “Everyone’s a little Irish on Paddy’s Day”. My hope for this event is that everyone that attends will be able to take part in the merriment and create their own special memories of Paddy’s Day, much like I have been able to for myself up until now in Ireland.
Whether you are a fan of Irish music and culture, have only learned about Paddy’s Day today, or just think it sounds like a bit of fun; we would love to see you at “St. Patrick’s Day in Sendai”. I encourage you to come lend your ear to the wonderful performances of Celtic music from across Sendai and Tohoku, and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with us in a uniquely Sendai fashion!
Tá súil againn go bhfeicfimid tú ann! (We hope to see you there!)
Daté na Ireland Matsuri – St. Patrick’s Day in Sendai –
Committee Chairperson Eli Unger
【Band profiles】※Order TBC
Sendai Irish
Sendai Irish is an Irish music club based in Sendai. We host practice sessions once a month, and you can find us performing at a wide range of events, including the Jozenji Streetjazz Festival.
Irish Moonlight Ensemble
The Irish Moonlight Ensemble was formed in 2012 following the Great East Japan Earthquake. We began as a duo, but now perform as a band of six. We’re proud to say the name of our band in Japanese（愛蘭月光楽団）has the most complicated kanji of any in Sendai! We are looking forward to meeting everyone!!
Weekend Fantasia from Barm’s
Weekend Fantasia from Barm’s is an Irish band that performs original songs. Our start can be traced back to 2019, in an Irish pub in Itsutsubashi called “Barm’s”. Our music will make you feel like you have stepped into a world of fantasy.
Trapezoid
Trapezoid are an instrumental band formed from four graduates of the Tohoku University Bluegrass Club. Like the name “trapezoid” suggests, the guitar and bodhrán form a base on which we perform our melodies on fiddle and flute.
Tohoku University Celtic Music Research Group “Iris”
Iris is a music club consisting of students from Tohoku University, which performs Celtic music with a particular focus on the Irish tradition. Our Irish music is energetic, and features flute and strings center-stage.
Bochii Band
Bochii Band was formed in 2000. We primarily perform Irish music and dance, but you can also find us playing Scottish and Scandinavian music as well.
TRAD
TRAD are a husband and wife duo that perform Irish music, in addition to traditional music from Cape Breton in Canada, which is home to many people of Irish descent. We are particularly fond of lively and up-tempo songs. We also host sessions at Irish Pub DOLAN’s in Hirosaki every month.
【What is St. Patrick’s Day?】(Often shortened to “Paddy’s Day”!)
St. Patrick’s Day is the largest festival in Ireland, and is held on the 17th of March every year.
On St. Patrick’s Day, people celebrate by wearing something green and taking part in parades. There are also traditional music performances and buildings are illuminated green. Ireland is also known as the “Emerald Isle” for its rich green landscape, and green is regarded as the national colour of Ireland.
Originally St. Patrick’s Day was a day to honour the death of St. Patrick, who spread Christianity to Ireland. However, the festival has since evolved to become a broad celebration of Irish culture around the world.
In Japan alone, there are large parades held around the country every year, such as in Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya and Fukuoka.
【Official website & social media】
Website: https://sendai-irish.main.jp/stpatricks/
X(Twitter): datena_ireland
Instagram: datena_ireland
【Location and access】
■ AOBA no KAZE Terrace (outdoor terrace/ lawn area)
Address: Subway Tozai Line International Center Station 2nd Floor, 2-1 Aobayama, Aoba Ward, Sendai
・Subway: Take the Tozai Line from Sendai Station in the direction of Yagiyama Zoo. Get off at International Center Station (3 stations away/ approx. 5 min). The venue is in the subway station (leave the ticket gates and turn right).
・By foot/ bicycle: Approx. 30 min walk or 12-15 mins by bicycle from Sendai Station via Aoba-dori Avenue (1.8 km).
There is a parking spot for bicycles or DATE BIKE shared bicycles at International Center Station.
・Car: There is paid parking at “Sendai Aobayama Exchange Plaza”, located next to International Center Station.
【Organized by】Daté na Ireland Matsuri – St. Patrick’s Day in Sendai – Committee
【Support】City of Sendai, Embassy of Ireland Japan, Irish Network Japan