Caffrey's Irish Pub is hosting the Irish Music Festival (photo: www.caffreys.cz)

It seems that no matter where in the world you go, you will find an Irish pub there. This attests not only to the popularity of Irish beer and culture, but also to the fact that many Irish people have left their home to seek their fortunes elsewhere. Prague is no exception, and where there are Irish pubs, you can be sure that the local Irish (and non-Irish) will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day when March rolls around.

And in Prague, you can go totally Celtic by enjoying the Irish Music Festival (March 13-21) – a whole week of Irish music, now in its ninth year. As in every year, the festival features not only bands straight out of Eire, but also representatives of the Czech Republic’s lively Celtic music scene.

The festival opens with Prague’s own Bran, performing on Friday, March 13 at 8pm. Probably the best known Czech Celtic band, Dun an Doras, plays Sunday, March 15 at 1pm and Wednesday, March 18 at 8pm. And coming from Ireland are Celtic Whisper (Limerick), Station 65 (Kildare), and Dave Morrissey (also from Kildare). All shows are at Caffrey’s Irish Bar on Old Town Square (no. 10). A complete schedule can be found at www.irishmusicfestival.cz.

Looking for a good pint of Guinness elsewhere in Prague? There’s plenty of other Irish pubs to choose from

• The Shamrock Pub, Wenceslas Square 56
• J. J Murphy’s Irish Bar, Tržiště 4, across from the Irish and American Embassies
• Molly Malone’s, U Obecního dvora 4, near Haštalské náměstí in the Old Town