TRADITIONAL St Patrick's Day festivities are being extended as part of a month-long celebration of all things Irish in the North-East during March.
Passengers on the Tyne and Wear Metro network will have the chance to sample the flavour of the Emerald Isle, after system operator Nexus teamed up with makers of Ireland's favourite tipple, Guinness.
The highlight of the month-long festival of Irish culture and music will be on March 17, St Patrick's Day itself, when Metro customers can exchange their rail ticket for a pint of Ireland's legendary stout.
Passengers aged 18 and over are eligible to take part in the promotion, at one of five pubs to be found near stations dotted around the Metro network.
Free travel offers are also available as part of the event.
The festival was launched at Gateshead's newly opened Sage music venue yesterday.
Riverdance performer Kelley Byrne led a trio of traditional Irish dancers, while fiddler Tony Corcoran performed some popular tunes from the land of the leprechaun.
Apart from his musical role, Mr Corcoran is at the hub of many of the activities in his other guise, as chairman of the Tyneside Irish Society.
Further information on the Irish festivities are available on the Nexus website, www.nexus.org.uk
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