| Manchester set for latest Irish festival
By Cornelia Lucey
The twelfth Manchester Irish festival kicks-off on March 3 with the Lord
Mayor of Manchester David Sandiford opening the event.
The 16-day bonanza is a city-wide celebration of Irish culture with top
musical acts, dancing, comedy and traditional food and drink.
Highlights this year include a traditional market with dozens of traders
who come across to take part in the traditional Irish markets a children’s
music day, an outdoor family fun day, a St. Patrick’s Day party
and the legendary mile-long St. Patrick’s Day parade.
On March 9 children from across Manchester get to have a go at all things
Irish at the Town Hall, from learning a tune on the tin whistle to getting
to grips with the accordion.
The event concludes with a showcase concert where everyone gets to show-off
his or her newfound skills.
The Irish Festival Parade on March 11 starts its journey at the Irish
World Heritage Centre in Cheetham Hill and then heads toward the city
centre, passing Manchester’s major landmarks on the way.
This year 40 floats will be competing for the title of Best Float, in
which the winner will receive a cash prize of £1,000 to be spent
on a pre-determined activity.
To mark St. Patrick’s Day the Manchester Academy is hosting an evening
of classic Irish anthems from Derry lads The Undertones.
Joining them will be BBC Radio 2’s Mark Radcliffe and The Family
Mahone with lively Irish folk-based drinking songs.
On March 18 a family orientated day of Irish music, dance and funfair
rides arranged by the Manchester City Council Parks Department will take
place in Errwood Park, Levenshulme and will be open from 12noon-7pm.
Last year the festival brought over 1million people together young,
old and families to enjoy Irish performers from exciting new musical talent,
workshops and ceilis to comedians and actors.
If you would like more information about how to hold or attend an event
during the festival log on to www.goingirish.com
n Key dates and festival highlights include:
March 3 Official Festival Launch at Manchester Town Hall
March 9 Irish Market
March 9 Music Day
March 11 The Irish Festival Parade
March 17 Ultimate St. Patrick’s Party 2007
March 18 St. Patrick’s Weekend Family Fun Fair and Outdoor Irish
Festival
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