Nottingham Irish Studies Group will present the following events as part of Nottingham’s annual Irish Festival. All welcome: Fáilte.

Michael Collins: ‘The Big Fellow’. Historical talk by Pat Murphy on the great political leader of the War of Independence; Thurs 8 March, 7.30 - 9pm, Nottingham Irish Centre. £2 on the door.

Eavan Boland’s Famine Poems. Boland, one of Ireland’s finest writers, has written several times on the Irish Famine. We will read and discuss a selection of her poems on that topic. Fri 9 March, 2 - 3pm, Angel Row Library. Free. All welcome. No prior knowledge needed; all materials provided free on the day.

St Patrick: The man, the myth, the marches. Deirdre O’Byrne asks: how much we actually know about Patrick? Where was he from? What was his real name? Was he a saint? Find out more on Thurs 15 March, 7.30 - 9pm, Nottingham Irish Centre. £2 on the door.

Irish Storytelling for children. Irish tales of long ago, to the background of an exhibition of Irish art. Just like the way to the homes of the Little People, the entrance to the venue is hidden. If your Irish eyes are smiling, they will spot us on the boreen next to The Works, near the Council House. Watch out for street performers showing the way. Children get pictures to take away and colour. Sat 17 March, 1.30- 2pm, and 3 – 3.30pm, at ‘Forty Shades of Green', 14a Smithy Row, Nottingham NG1 2DH. Free. All welcome.

'Have a Go @ Gaeilge'. If you want to learn 'cúpla focal' (a few words) or polish up your rusty ones from long ago, join us for a fun, informal taster session at the Irish Centre 17th March, 4-5pm. Order a pint in Irish. Learn the Irish for 'Happy St Patrick's Day'. All welcome.