THE Lord Mayor of Manchester praised the ‘Irish contribution to civic life in the city’ while celebrating the Irish Post’s 45 anniversary last night.
Councillor Susan Cooley was among the guests who attended our special birthday bash held at the Irish World Heritage Centre in Irish Town Way, which welcomed popular Manchester United stadium announcer Alan Keegan as MC for the event.
Addressing those gathered for the special anniversary occasion, which also marked the start of St Patrick’s Festival activities across the city, Lord Mayor Cllr Cooley said: “It’s my privilege to meet communities across the city but I have had some of the funniest and warmest of times, and had the most laughs, when I have been with the Irish community.”
She added: “I can say that as I have been married to an Irishman for the last 36 years.”
A host of friends, readers and supporters of The Irish Post joined us for the Manchester event, including our man on the ground Danny Claffy, who has been a photographer for the paper since 1984 and continues to help us tell the story of the Irish in the city.
We even had the pleasure of meeting Co. Louth native Patrick Moore and his Salford-born wife Susan, who have been loyal readers of The Irish Post since its very first edition hit the newsstands on February 13, 1970.
“My biggest claim to fame is having bought the very first Irish Post and every one since for the past 45 years,” the Manchester-based Irishman told us during the celebrations.
Kevin Fitzpatrick of St Kentigern’s Irish club in Fallowfield also joined us for the event, bringing along his wife Tina and staff from the popular watering hole.
The St Kent’s team have a busting line up of gigs and gatherings taking place over the coming weeks in honour of St Patrick’s Day, many of which will raise money for local charities.
Manchester’s annual St Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival is due to be officially launched in the city on Friday, Manchester 13, while the parade kicks off at 11am on Sunday, March 15, from the IWHC.
