THE historic city of York will host its first St Patrick’s Day Festival this year thanks to a newly formed organisation which is bringing together all things Irish in the city.
Founded in May 2014, The York Irish Association – known locally as York Irish – has scheduled a weekend of events to celebrate Ireland’s national day, which will take place at venues across the city from March 14-17.
The group, set up by Dublin-man Brendan Tannam – who moved to the city two years ago, and his girlfriend, fellow Dubliner Kate, claims more than 1300 Irish-born people live in the picturesque walled city.
“York Irish is a community organisation we set up in May 2014 to raise awareness of and celebrate Irish culture and to bring together the Irish community and people with an interest in all things Irish in the city,” he told The Irish Post.
“According to official statistics, there were 1300 Irish-born people living in York in 2011 and in the past the Irish population made up nearly eight per cent of the population of the city,” he added.
“This all means that there is a substantial community of Irish born and descendants of Irish in the city today.”
More than 150 of those residents have signed up to the York Irish mailing list since the Association was formed and many more are expected to come out and enjoy a busy series of events the organisation has planned for 2015.
On January 29 musician and singer Paula Ryan will perform a solo gig for the York Irish group at The Gillygate Pub in the city from 7.30pm.
For February a traditional Irish Music Night and an Archive Day – exploring the journey of many Irish to York over the centuries – are also being planned.
But it is the March St Patrick’s celebrations that are expected to bring the most people out – when the best of Irish music, dance, food, drink and culture will be on display in the city’s St Sampson’s Square.
Run by a committee of volunteers, of which Mr Tannam is the Chair, York Irish’s 2015 programme of activities are being supported by Awards for All Lottery funding.
They also support the committee’s overall goal of “providing a basis for a sustainable York Irish Association for years to come”.
Mr Tannam added: “We have brought together an often isolated community in York to express its social and cultural identity. We are all about providing safe, enjoyable and inclusive activities for anyone interested while celebrating the unique connections between Ireland and the city.”
For further information about York Irish Association events email [email protected]
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