Belfast is set to enjoy comedy, craic and culture this St Patrick’s day as part of a three-day festival.

This year’s Universities St Patrick’s Day Festival has a wide-ranging line-up of music, sports and film, as well as Northern Ireland comedian Kevin McAleer (below) topping the bill.

Queen’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Gerry McCormac said: “This year’s programme is particularly impressive and I congratulate the student leaders at both Queen’s and the University of Ulster for their vision and commitment in creating this major programme of spiritual and cultural events.”

The festival — hosted by Queen’s University and the University of Ulster — will also be staging an Ulster-Scots concert for the first time.

Nora Duncan, president of University of Ulster Students’ Union, said: “This festival is all-inclusive. It is for students and their families, local residents, community groups and anyone who may be visiting Belfast.”

The programme aims to celebrate St Patrick and bring together students and the community in south Belfast.

Queen’s Students’ Union Vice-President for Community Laura Hawthorne, said: “We have worked hard to ensure that it offers something for everyone.”