The Manchester Irish Festival

9th-18th March 2001

LiveMusic

Van Morrison in Concert
Venue: Apollo Theatre
Date: 23/2/01
Tel: 0161 242 2560
Price: £21, £23.50
Time: 7.30pm
Details: “The perennially popular Irish troubadour returns to the Apollo after an eighteen month absence. Expect the usual mix of musical metaphysics and Celtic poetry that only Van the Man can deliver. This is one night only so book early!

Eamonn McCann
Venue: Irish World Heritage Centre
Date: 24/2/01
Tel: 0161 205 4007
Price: £6.00
Time: 8.30pm – late
Details: Country singer from Co. Tyrone.

Celtus
Venue: Lowry Centre
Date: 24/2/01
Tel: 0161 876 2000
Price: £10.50, cons: £8.50
Time: 8.00pm
Details: An electrifying 3 piece band from Northern Ireland, Celtus’ spectacular debut was opening for Sheryl Crow at London’s Albert Hall.

Flight of Earls
Venue: Irish World Heritage Centre
Date: 25/2/01
Tel: 0161 205 4007
Price: Free
Time: 1.00pm – 4.00pm
Details: Local duo from Manchester, ballads, up tempo

Irish Showband Show
Venue: Irish World Heritage Centre
Date: 25/2/01
Tel: 0161 205 4007
Price: £6.00 Time: 8.30pm
Details: Keith & Lorraine McDonald and the Showband Show.

Westlife
Venue: MEN Arena Date: 25/2/01
Tel: Sold Out
Price: n/a
Time: n/a
Details: Irish pop takes on the world and wins ! Because of ticket demand this concert is additional to more later in the year.

Damien McCarthy
Venue: Irish World Heritage Centre
Date: 3/3/01
Tel: 0161 205 4007
Price: £6.00
Time: 8.30pm
Details: Country singer – new to the country scene.

Frank McCafferty
Venue: Irish Association Club
Date: 3/3/01
Tel: 0161 881 2898
Price: £3.00, £2.00 members
Time: 9.30pm – late

Rare Old Thyme
Venue: Irish World Heritage Centre
Date: 4/3/01 Tel: 0161 205 4007
Price: Free
Time: 1.00pm – 4.00pm
Details: One of Manchester’s local ballad groups.

The Bogtrotters & Others
Venue: O’Sheas
Date: 8/3/01
Tel: 0161 236 3906
Price: Free
Time: 8.00pm – 1.00am
Details: O’Sheas has been one of the focal points of Irish entertainment over the last 10 years, this night brings together some of the most popular performers at the venue to record a special CD, celebrating St. Patrick’s week. Tonight features the ever popular .Bogtrotters’ and also stars "Culainn" Quare Craic and Barry James plus a gathering of celebrity guests. A night not to be missed !

Green Hot Clover
Venue: O’Sheas
Date: 9/3/01
Tel: 0161 236 3906
Price: Free
Time: 8.00pm – 1.00am
Details: This live band are all students at Salford University and have quickly established themselves as one of the finest live Irish acts in the Northwest. Their blend of Celtic rock / punk and ballads have made this band a must see’ act.

Ster
Venue: O’Sheas
Date: 10/3/01
Tel: 0161 236 3906
Price: Free
Time: 8.30pm – 1.00am
Details: Food served all day

Dermot Hegarty
Venue: Irish World Heritage Centre
Date: 10/3/01
Tel: 0161 205 4007
Price: £6.00 Time: 8.30pm – late

Irish Students UK – St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
Venue: Irish World Heritage Centre
Date: 10/3/01
Tel: 024 7667 9139
Price: £3.00 Time: 8.00pm – late
Details: The biggest Irish Student Celebration in the UK. Featuring the .Green Hot Clovers’ and all night entertainment. All welcome-regardless of age.

Quare Craic
Venue: O’Sheas
Date: 11/3/01 Tel: 0161 236 3906
Price: Free
Time: 4.00pm onwards
Details: See this acclaimed duo live – featuring the "RTE Traditional Musician of the Year" Desi Donnolly on the fiddle and the outstanding talents of singer / guitarist Keiran Cunningham.

Whiskey in the Jar / Flight of Earls
Venue: Irish World Heritage Centre
Date: 11/3/01
Tel: 0161 205 4007
Price: Free
Time: 1.00pm – 4.00pm

Quare Craic – Featuring Andrew Dinan
Venue: O’Neills
Date: 12/3/01
Tel: 0161 448 7940
Price: Free
Time: 8.00pm – late

Ceile
Venue: O’Sheas Date:
12/3/01
Tel: 0161 236 3906
Price: Free
Time: 9.30pm – 1.00am
Details: Food served all day

Gavin Hastie
Venue: Hennigan’s
Date: 12/3/01
Tel: 0161 225 2702
Price: Free
Time: 8.00pm – 11.00pm
Details: Visitors to Hennigan’s Sports Bar during previous Irish Festivals will be aware of this singer’s virtuoso performances. Born locally, Gavin’s repertoire includes his numerous self penned songs and extends to the best of Van Morrison & the Pogues
Sponsors: Guinness / Levenshulme.com

Quare Craic
Venue: Mulligans
Date: 13/3/01
Tel: 0161 288 0006 Price: Free Time: 8.00pm – 11.00pm Details: See this acclaimed duo live – featuring the "RTE Traditional Musician of the Year" Desi Donnolly on the fiddle and the outstanding talents of singer / guitarist Keiran Cunningham.

Cullain
Venue: O’Sheas
Date: 14/3/01
Tel: 0161 236 3906
Price: Free
Time: 9.30pm – 1.00am
Details: Culainn were formed in 1998 by John Bilek, the brother of Mike Harding and former members of Toss the Feathers and Rattle’n’Reel. Joined by a host of award-winning talented Irish Mancunian musicians, Culainn are a highly celebrated Manc/Irish export, fusing rock with traditional and even soul didgeridoo.

Quare Craic
Venue: O’Sheas
Date: 15/3/01
Tel: 0161 236 3906
Price: Free
Time: 9.30pm – 1.00am
Details: See this acclaimed duo live – featuring the "RTE Traditional Musician of the Year"’ Desi Donnolly on the fiddle and the outsatnding talents of singer / guitarist Keiran Cunningham

Manchester Irish Festival YGG Unsigned 2001
Venue: The Palace Nightclub
Date: 15/3/01
Tel: 0161 257 2484
Price: £3.00 Advance, £4.00 Door
Time: 8.00pm – 1.00am
Details: Six bands that have battled their way through the 3 heats will be competing for prizes worth £2000 in the final of a competition that has become a festival highlight over the years.

The Finalists are:
Code 424
Freeworld
Karma
Ordinary Joe
The Newds
Spinning Jenny

Sponsors:
Boddingtons,
Domino’s Pizza,
Cavalier Studios,
www.Levenshulme.com,
www.helpforbands.com and www.manchestermusic.co.uk

Fiddlers Green
Venue: Irish World Heritage Centre
Date: 16/3/01
Tel: 0161 205 4007
Price: £4.00
Time: 8.30pm – late

Last of the Breed
Venue: The Midway
Date: 16/3/01
Tel: 0161 224 6548
Price: Free Time:
9.00pm – 12.00pm
Details: Irish Country & Western band, based in Manchester. Their music ranges from Irish, through country and some pop in-between.

Slap & Tickle
Venue: O’Sheas
Date: 16/3/01
Tel: 0161 236 3906
Price: Free
Time: 9.30pm – 1.00am
Details: Food served all day

Conor McKay – ‘The Singing Brickie’
Venue: Irish World Heritage Centre
Date: 17/3/01
Tel: 0161 205 4007
Price: £10
Time: 8.00pm – late

Prodigal Sons – from County Clare
Venue: Irish World Heritage Centre
Date: 17/3/01
Tel: 0161 205 4007
Price: Free
Time: 1.00pm – 4.00pm
Barry James + Guests
Venue: O’Sheas
Date: 17/3/01
Tel: 0161 236 3906
Price: £10 Ticket in Advance
Time: 8.00pm – late
Details: Food served all day

Celtic Flame - St. Patrick’s Night Special
Venue: The Palace Nightclub
Date: 17/3/01 Tel: 0161 257 2484
Price: £5.00 Time: 9.00pm – 2.00am Details: Celtic Flame – Manchester’s newest Celtic Rock Group make their debut at the Palace after their sell out show at the Bridgewater Hall. They combine the good looks of the Corrs with the Celtic rock of the Saw Doctors which will guarantee a rip roaring St. Patrick’s night show. Please arrive early for this great annual event. DJs on the night will include Alan Keegan from BBC GMR and Tom Dee and Stu Lee
Sponsors:
Levenshulme.com

Liffey Street
Venue: Mulligans
Date: 17/3/01
Tel: 0161 288 0006
Price: Free
Time: 2.00pm onwards – late
Details: All the way from Dublin, this Celtic Rock Band come to Manchester on their UK tour. This band will have you .shamrocking’ to the early hours. Arrive Early.

Heartbeat
Venue: The Midway
Date: 17/3/01
Tel: 0161 224 6548
Price: Free
Time: 9.00pm – 1.00am
Details: New band started in the last six months. Their music is Irish Country & Western fused with more traditional sounds.

The Ranchers
Venue: Irish Association Club
Date: 17/3/01
Tel: 0161 881 2898
Price: £5.00 Time: 9.30pm – late
Details: Dance St. Patrick’s night away with the world famous Ranchers from Co. Monaghan. Irish dancers at this event will be from the Lally School of Dancing, many of whom are internationally recognised.

Adam Kelly
Venue: Hennigan’s
Date: 17/3/01 Tel: 0161 225 2702
Price: Free Time: 8.00pm – 11.00pm
Details: Anything goes with this singer / songwriter. Adam takes all his requests from the floor. So, if the .Irish Rover’ or .I Used to Love Her’ take your fancy, get down to Hennigan’s Sports bar for this free event.
Sponsors:
Guinness
Levenshulme.com

Celtic Flame