AN Irish dance troupe will mark its 25-year anniversary by turning the college where it was founded emerald green.
The iconic St Bede’s College in Manchester is the home of the award-winning Young, Gifted & Green Irish dance, music and song troupe.
It will turn green on March 7, when it will host a special event marking the group’s impressive anniversary.
The show will feature a number of former members of the troupe who have appeared in its shows during the last twenty-five years alongside a number of special guests.
Acts already confirmed include the YGG Choir, musicians, singers and dancers based at St Bede’s College, along with Lauren Carter, who was one of the first principal female singers with the group, and male principal singers Daniel Mellett and Andrew Farrell.
Former members of Shake the Barley Fidelma O’Brien and Mairead Hussey are also on the bill, along with the award-winning Fianna Phadraig Pipe Band.
Young, Gifted & Green was formed in 1995 by Tony Hennigan, the Head of Technology at the College.
With roots in Attymass, Co. Mayo, Mr Hennigan’s idea was to try and promote Irish culture in Manchester.
“I came from a family of seven and my parents always had Irish music playing in the house,” he told The Irish Post.
“But because of the Troubles when we were growing up, the celebration of our Irish culture was a very private affair for most of the time.”
He added: “It was a bit of a gamble when we decided to do something which would celebrate our culture openly and in places and venues which were not normally associated with staging such events, but the general public accepted us with open arms.”
To date the troupe has raised more than £210,000 for different charities through their shows.
Tickets for the anniversary event, which kicks off at 7.30pm on March 7, cost £15 and must be purchased in advance.
They can be bought from the college, by emailing [email protected] or online here.
