John Commons, Lawrence Henniganm and Cllr. James Hennigan at the Mayo weekend launch
Levenshulme village in South Manchester is to be turned Green & Red for a special weekend to celebrate County Mayo in the West Coast of Ireland at this years 2012 Levenshulme Festival. The 'Mayo' Weekend will be launched on Friday 2 November and run until Sunday 4 November it is one of the highlights of the 17 day community festival. The Levenshulme Festival which is now in its fourtenth year runs from Friday 26 October until Sunday 11 November and features over 200 Art, Community, Clubbing, Dance, Food, Music, Sport, Literature and Theatre events, making it the biggest and most diverse community festival in Europe.
The Mayo weekend will features a host of free live traditional Irish Music concerts and Irish dancing displays plus an under-age Gaelic Football Tournament and Vintage Tractor display. The special weekend which aims to give visitors a taste of life in the beautiful West Coast of Ireland is being sponsored by The Irish Post, Tourism Ireland, Guinness and Levfest. The event is being used to promote the forthcoming Manchester-Mayo Gathering event in Ballina, which is a week long festival from Thursday 1 to Friday 9 August.
Lawrence Hennigan, the President of the LevFest, said "We are really excited about the Mayo weekend and are expecting a number of visitors from Ireland and the rest of the UK to descend upon the village for the Mayo Gathering. The village is home to the biggest Mayo community outside of London and we have wanted to put on this type of an event for a long time. The idea had come from a meeting with An Taoiseach Enda Kenny (The Irish Prime Minister), who asked us to get involved with promoting tourism in Ireland and the 2013 Gathering Project."
More information is available by contacting the festival office on 257 2484 or logo onto www.levenshulmefestival.co.uk
Alternatively pick up a special free 64 page colour brochure from one of the 45 participating venues in the village.
Mayo Weekend Highlights
Friday 2nd November 2012
Levfest Launch of Mayo weekend
The Horseshoe Inn, 14 Chapel Street, Levenshulme
8 pm - late.
Admission: Free
This is the official launch night for Mayo promotional weekend sponsored by Tourism Ireland, Guinness and The Gathering, which aims to give visitors of a taste of the West of Ireland.
Tonight's launch features a free night of traditional Irish Music and Dance from Manchester's 'Dirty Old Town' club night featuring contemporary Irish Dance performances from The Reel Deal Dance Troop and top Trad tunes from Shake the Barley. Get in early to get a seat, remember you do not have to be from County Mayo to enjoy this fantastic night of Irish Culture. Follow us on Twitter @mayogathering
Friday 2nd November 2012
Levfest Mayo Halloween Ball
The Union Inn, 845 Stockport Road Levenshulme, Telephone: 0161 224 1271
9pm - late
Levfest Mayo Halloween Fancy Dress Bal. It's the scariest night of the year!!!!! It will be a scream, dress up in your scariest Red and Green costume and join in the fun. Lots of prizes, for the best costumes.
Admission: Free
Saturday 3rd November 2012
Levfest Mayo weekend - Live Traditional Irish Music with Paudie OShea
Hennigans Sports Bar, 908 Stockport Road, Levenshulme, Manchester M19 3AD
Telephone: 0161 224 1271
9pm - 11pm
Irish Night with the fantastic multi-talented Paudie O'Shea
Admission: Free
Sunday 4th November 2012
Levfest U10's & U12's GAA Blitz
Cringle Fields
1pm
A fun filled afternoon of Gaelic sport
Admission: Free
St Marys Gaelic Athletic Association. Contact Brenda Harkin 077467 98609
Sunday 4th November 2012
Levfest Mayo weekend special featuring Joe Casserley & the 'Full Irish Radio team'
The Horseshoe Inn. 14 Chapel Street, Levenshulme
1pm
Admission: Free
Mayo weekend special featuring Joe Casserley & the 'Full Irish radio team', who will be broadcasting their award winning show live for ALL on 96.9fm.
Live entertainment starts at 1pm with Donal Scally, The Irish Rovers, Kevin Deasey, Shake the Barley and many more. Ged & Karen finish the Night off. Plus Vintage Tractor Display.
Sunday 4th November 2012
Manchester-Mayo weekend with live Irish Music Session from Grace Kelly & Friends
The Union Inn
5pm - 8pm, Admission: Free
Manchester-Mayo weekend with a Traditional Irish Music Session 5pm - 8pm from Grace Kelly and Friends sponsored by Tourism Ireland and The Gathering 2013 in County Mayo. bring along your own instrument to join in the Craic.
