Life & Style

Manchester Irish Festival: What's on for St Patrick's Day

THIS year’s Manchester Irish Festival runs until Saturday March 19 with a packed line-up planned over the coming week, including a grand parade on March 13.

The festival, of which The Irish Post is the media partner, is this year celebrating its 21st anniversary.

What's on...

Friday, March 11
Launch of the Manchester Irish Festival
Manchester Town Hall from 7pm

The Lord Mayor of Manchester, Cllr Paul Murphy and the Manchester host an evening at the Manchester Town Hall, celebrating the best of Irish in the region.

Eamonn O’Neill and former Manchester United player Paddy Crerand will official open the Manchester Irish Festival.

100-year-old Maggie O'Malley will also be present on the night.

Maggie was born in Co. Mayo a couple of months before the 1916 Rising. As the evening's special guest she will focus on what Ireland and its Diaspora has achieved over the last 100 years.

Last year's Lord Mayor of Manchester Naeen Hassan, Chair of Manchester Irish Festival Councillor John Flanagan, Member of European Parliament Afzal Khan, Greater Manchester Police Commissionaire Mr Tony Lloyd at the Manchester Irish Festival launch Picture: Kevin Gallagher

Until March 13
Manchester Irish Markets and O’Briens Bar
Noon – 6pm

The Manchester Irish Markets will remain open until Sunday, March 13.

For many years, Irish traders and local Manchester Irish businesses and charities have set up stalls on the cobbles of Albert Square (just outside Manchester Town Hall), giving a great Irish community feel to the city centre.

Drop by to sample the best of Irish goods, souvenirs, food and drink.
Sunday, March 13
Manchester’s St Patrick’s Parade - celebrating 26 years of the parade in Manchester

Before the parade, a Gaelic Mass will be said at the Irish World Heritage Centre, Cheetham Hill from 9.30am with the Redemptorist Centre of Music Concert Band from Limerick City taking part in both.

Parade timings...

The parade will leave the Irish World Heritage Centre at noon, and will make its way to Manchester Town Hall for around 1pm.

This year the parade will focus on Myths and Legends to mark 21 years of the Manchester Irish Festival.

Walk the Plank who have previously assisted in Derry Capital of Culture and the Manchester Day Parade, have worked with five county associations (Donegal, Galway, Longford, Mayo and the Claddagh Association of Irish Dance) to being a special quality to the festival.

Look out for the Galway races, St Patrick and the snakes, Grace O’Malley, and the fishermen and women of Donegal.

This year's St Patrick's Day parade takes place in Manchester on March 13 Picture: Danny Claffey

History of the Manchester Parade...

The Irish World Heritage Centre held their first St Patrick’s Day Parade on March 17, 1990 when they paraded to St Chad’s Church.

Ever since 1992, the parade has made its way to Manchester Town Hall, Albert Square.

In previous years, we have been joined by Taoiseach of Ireland Bertie Aherne, and Ministers Brendan Smith and John O’Donaghue.

Tens of thousands of people turn out every year to join in the celebrations and watch the parade as it makes its way into the city centre.

After the parade, Céilí and Set Dancing will take place in the Great Hall, Manchester Town Hall from 2pm.

Wednesday, March 16
Irish Association ‘Around the Fire’ Tradfest
O'Brien's Bar, Albert Square from 7pm

The Irish Associations in Manchester are holding a night of music, dance and storytelling in a traditional ‘Around the Fire’ tradfest.

The associations play a crucial role in Manchesters Irish community and during the festival.

Free and open to all.

Turning green...

This year, the Manchester Town Hall will not be turning green, rather the Town Hall and its clock will turn the colours of the Irish flag to mark 21 years of the Manchester Irish Festival, and to commemorate 100 years since 1916.

The main clock face on the Manchester Town Hall will be white to symbolise this iconic year and peace in Ireland.

Where events are taking place...

Events happening across Greater Manchester include The Irish World Heritage Centre, Chorlton Irish, O’Sheas, English Martyrs, The Shamrock, Waxy O’Connors, Bar Pop, St Anns Stretford, Duffys Chorlton, The Albert Inn and many more.