YORK Irish Association will host a special night honouring the culture of Ireland at the city’s Barbican entertainment complex.
The event – which is partly funded by the City of York Council’s Barbican Concessionary Day programme – will be MC’d by BBC Radio York’s Elly Fiorentini and headlined by popular singer-songwriter John Spillane.
Set up in 2014, the York Irish Association was successful in its first bid for the Concessionary Day initiative, which sees just two local organisations awarded concessionary use of the Barbican venue to host a community event this year.
York Councillor Sonja Crisp, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism, explained: “This is a wonderful opportunity for a local organisation to put on a performance event in York’s biggest entertainment venue.”
The Irish event, which takes place on September 19, will also feature an Irish dancing performance by the O'Connor Academy of Irish Dance and music performances from Paula Ryan, Steve Campbell and regulars from the York Irish traditional scene.
Irish Ambassador Dan Mulhall will also give a talk on the night, the York Irish Association told The Irish Post this week.
Set up by Dublin-man Brendan Tannam - who moved to the city two years ago - and his girlfriend, fellow Dubliner Kate, the York Irish Association hosted its first St Patrick’s Day event this year.
The Association claims more than 1300 Irish-born people live in the historic walled city.
Regarding their upcoming Irish Culture Night, Mr Tannam explained: “We are delighted to have secured use of the venue as part of the lease agreement between City of York Council and the Barbican’s operators, SMG, where they offer a concessionary day’s hire of the venue to two community groups a year.”
He explained: “The event will feature a variety of performances, including Irish singer and songwriter John Spillane as the headline act, and all proceeds will go towards making sure the York Irish Association can continue to make a difference to the community in York in 2016."
Tickets for the event will be available on the Barbican's website and at the venue, costing just £14.
For further information about York Irish Association events click here or email [email protected]
