THE fountains in Trafalgar Square will turn green for the second time on Sunday, March 12, to greet the tens of thousands taking part in the capital's celebrations to mark St Patrick's Day. This year's festivities are being organised in partnership with Tourism Ireland, with Guinness & Co also on board as a sponsor for the first time.

London Mayor Ken Livingstone, who is backing the celebrations, said: "On St Patrick's Day Londoners get the chance to celebrate and enjoy all things Irish.

"This year's events, organised in partnership with Tourism Ireland, will include the annual parade through the centre of London, with Irish bands and floats, a free festival in Trafalgar Square, a traditional Irish dancing Ceili in Leicester Square and an Irish food fair with Irish music in Covent Garden."

More than 4,000 musicians, dancers and Irish community representatives will take part in the parade through central London, which this year features Circus Bizarre, a special piece of street theatre by Irish Street Theatre company Macteo that was a highlight at last year's Dublin parade.

Performers in Trafalgar Square include Hothouse Flowers, award-winning singer-songwriter Gemma Hayes, acclaimed traditional band Altan and rising stars the Chalets, plus very special guest Brian Kennedy.

Meanwhile Bap Kennedy, Declan O'Rourke, Claire Sproule, to name but a few will perform on the acoustic stage line up in Covent Garden - which is also hosting a two-day celebration of traditional Irish food, being organised by Bord Bia, the Irish food commission.

In Leicester Square, people will be able to take part in an outdoor Ceili. The best of ceili music and a caller will lead participants in a lively afternoon of traditional Irish dancing. There will be workshops on how to play the traditional drum, the Bodhran, as well as other Irish instruments.

Other workshops will include the fiddle with Elaine Walsh from London; the concertina with Colette Keaveney; whistle and flute with Nuala Hayes from Galway; and Uilleann pipes, plus the fiddle with Sinead Hayes also from Galway.

Leicester Square will also host a special exhibition by the Crafts Council of Ireland featuring the work of more than 20 specially selected designers.

Children visiting Leicester Square will also have the chance to meet Piggley Winks, Ferny the Bull and Dannan the Duck from the CBBC show Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks in the Celtic Kids Zone. Aimed at children aged 4-7, Jakers! is a unique concept, combining traditional values, state of the art animation and humour.

There are other events taking place in the capital throughout the week, including the London Irish Symphony Orchestra playing in St Paul's Church, Knightsbridge, the Irish in Prints exhibition at the British Museum, the Beckett festival at the Barbican, the Barbara Stanley Gallery Art exhibition at City Hall, plus Classically Celtic at St. Martin-in-the-Field.

The 2006 St Patrick's Day festival is supported by the Mayor of London in partnership with Tourism Ireland.