The Irish Network Stevenage (INS) celebrated St Patrick's Day in style with their annual Shamrock Presentation to the Mayor, Cllr Margaret Notley, on Friday, March 17. 

The Presentation of the Shamrock is an international event and happens all over the world on the day dedicated to Ireland's patron saint.

Nearly 200 guests attended the event at Stevenage's Holiday Inn including Baroness Taylor of Stevenage, Sally Burton (High Sheriff of Hertfordshire), Cllr Richard Henry (leader of Stevenage Borough Council), Kevin Bonavia (Labour's parliamentary candidate for Stevenage), and representatives from local voluntary groups.

The Comet: From L to R: Baroness Taylor of Stevenage; Peggy Lyons (INS Vice Chair); Sally Burton (High Sheriff of Hertfordshire); Luke Donovan (INS Chair); Mayor Cllr Margaret Notley.From L to R: Baroness Taylor of Stevenage; Peggy Lyons (INS Vice Chair); Sally Burton (High Sheriff of Hertfordshire); Luke Donovan (INS Chair); Mayor Cllr Margaret Notley. (Image: Irish Network Stevenage)

They enjoyed a traditional bacon and cabbage lunch and entertainment, including traditional Irish dancing from performers based at the Grant School of Irish Dancing.

Mayor Notley thanked INS for the work it does in Stevenage, and the support it provides to older people in the town.

The Comet: Attendees were treated to a performance by the Grant School of Irish Dancing.Attendees were treated to a performance by the Grant School of Irish Dancing. (Image: Irish Network Stevenage)

Luke Donovan, chair of INS, said, "St Patrick’s Day is such an important day for the INS and our friends, and I am so pleased to see so many celebrating this day.

"It is fantastic to see how much we have grown over the last 13 years and how many people we support.

"Events like St Patrick’s Day are very important, it’s not just about celebrating the day, it is also about bringing friends together for an enjoyable afternoon.

"When I look around and see what the volunteers have achieved and how much everyone is enjoying themselves it makes all the hard work worthwhile."

The Comet: Cllr Jackie Hollywell with Cllr Richard Henry, leader of Stevenage Borough Council, at the St Patrick's Day event.Cllr Jackie Hollywell with Cllr Richard Henry, leader of Stevenage Borough Council, at the St Patrick's Day event. (Image: Irish Network Stevenage)

In keeping with the INS tradition, all proceeds from the St Patrick's Day raffle were donated to a good cause - this year, it was decided to give the money to the Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal organised by the Disaster Emergency Committee.

Peggy Lyons, vice-chair of the INS, said: "Our members and guests have been amazingly generous and we added our donation to the contribution, so we were very pleased to be able to donate £900 to this humanitarian cause."