BASTILLE DAY BASH HEADS TO IRELAND

DUBLIN is to go French for a day in memory of Irish revolutionary Robert Emmet.

The city council plans the country's largest ever French fete to celebrate Emmet's failed bid to throw the British out and celebrate Bastille Day, the day on which French peasants revolted and overthrew the aristocracy.

A spokesman for the event said: "This will be the first large Bastille celebration in Dublin since 1803 when the celebrations preceded Robert Emmet's rising."

While Parisians celebrate the French revolution, Dubliners will get a chance to enjoy the sights, sounds and foods of France from Thursday until Sunday in the Smithfield area. In association with Emmet 2003, La Fete de la Bastille will also feature pike carriers in period dress who will parade through the city centre to St Patrick's Cathedral where they will officially open the Liberties Festival.

The fete will feature a French-style market from 10am to 5pm, Thursday to Sunday. On Saturday and Sunday, there will be free family entertainment, including a re-enactment of activity in Dublin during the French revolution led by costumed characters.

Bastille Day is France's most important holiday and is marked by a huge military parade on the Champs-Elysees in Paris.

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