The Manchester Irish Festival

9th-18th March 2001

Friends of the Irish Festival

Join Friends of the Manchester Irish Festival
The Irish Festival Organsing Committee have agreed to launch a ‘Friends of the Irish Festival’ programme in 2001. Now in it’s 6th year, our Irish Festival has grown from strength to strength to become one of the foremost events of it’s kind in the UK.

Why do we need a ‘Friends of the Irish Festival’ scheme?
Staging a festival with as much content and depth as our own relies on an enormous commitment from organisations and individuals within the city. Most of their efforts are given freely. Some supporters give hard cash or gifts in kind. For others the festival provides a showcase for their talents and enthusiasm. However to continue year on year and ensure the future success the festival needs to be put on a firmer financial footing.

For example:

• At present there is no permanent festival office.
• Nobody is working to co-ordinate sponsorship and generate income for 2002.
• News and information about the festival is patchy and there are no resources to support even a simple mailing list or newsletter.
• Nobody is promoting the festival year-round attracting big names to come to the festival in the future.

What will the ‘Friends of the Irish Festival’ scheme achieve?
The scheme will help maintain the elements of organisation needed to build next years Irish Festival (and beyond). It will enable to Organising Committee to be more effective and strategic in their thinking and planning and will provide seed-corn resources to allow more funding, grants and such like to be achieved at an earlier stage.

Who should become a ‘Friend’ of the Festival?
We are looking for people or organisations who can afford to give something back to the Irish Community in Manchester. By supporting the festival with a donation each month or annual subscription you can generate the much needed income to ensure future success.

How can I get involved?
• You can get involved in one of three ways:
• Your organisation or company can become a CORPORATE FRIEND – This costs £250 a year.
• You can join as an individual or not-for profit oranisations as a FULL MEMBER – This costs £60 a year
• You can support the festival as an ASSOCIATE MEMBER – This costs £30 a year.

What will friends get in return for their support?
• News and information about plans and activities in Manchester’s Irish Community
• Up to date information about future Irish Festivals.
• Invitations to prestige events such as the civic launches held at Manchester Town Hall.
• Priority booking for events and socials.
• Accreditation listing status as a ‘Friend’ in future publicity.

If you would like to become a ‘Friend’ of the Festival please contact

Councillor Patrick Karney,
Manchester Town Hall,
Manchester, M60 2LA
or telephone 0161 234 3168
e mail Mcririshfest@aol.com.
mcririshfest@aol.com

We are delighted and honoured that, Irish President, Mary McAleese has accepted an invitation to be the ‘First Friend of the Manchester Irish Festival’