Every March, the streets of Luton come alive with vibrant hues of green as the local Irish community and those like me who share Irish ancestry celebrate St Patrick's Day. Sounds of drums and bagpipes fill the air, with Irish music proudly playing from floats as people march through the town of Luton.

As a third-generation Irish descendant, St. Patrick's Day means a great deal to me. Throughout the years, my grandad and I have proudly carried his county's flag in the parade, a tradition that has been a part of my life since childhood. My grandad would lovingly purchase green ribbons in the market in the days leading up to the event and my sisters and I would decorate our hair with them on the day.

St Patrick's Day is a celebration of the rich history of Irish people. Many years ago, a huge number of Irish people, including my family, migrated to Luton.

To celebrate, Beds SU held a St Patrick's Day cocktail evening. There were delicious, themed cocktails, with Irish music playing. I had a fantastic night. I even managed to try and have a go at Irish dancing and convinced some others to join in whilst wearing a Guinness hat given to me by the student union staff.

My years of volunteering at the Luton Irish Forum, a community centre for the Irish in Luton, have deepened my connection to my family's roots in Ireland even more so. Hearing similar accents to my family's makes me emotional, as my Irish granddad has since passed away, so this year's St Patrick's Day is even more special to me, as it'll be in his memory.

St. Patrick's Day in Luton is always a fun-filled day. With the parade, there's always something different to look at.  There are many different stalls selling traditional Irish food, with live music on the stage in the town square and talented Irish dancers in the mall. Pubs throughout the town also play Irish music well into the night.

St Patrick's Day in Luton is a day for fun and entertainment, but it's also about learning Irish history and celebrating the different cultures within the town, with everyone coming together to partake in all the enjoyment.