The Manchester Irish Festival
9th-18th
March 2001
News and Reviews
The Irish Festival Committee wish to apologise unreservedly to Dominic & Eibhiln Gallagher who's phone number was incorrectly listed as being that of the Irish World Heritage Centre and Grove Club.
Because of this they have been inundated with calls - some late at night. Please check that you have the correct number before dialling to avoid any more nuisance for them.
Irish World Heritage
Centre
General Enquiries 0161 205 4007
The Grove Club
General Enquiries 0161 224 7624
Our thanks go to Mr & Mrs Gallagher for their kind understanding and patience in this matter.
Update 19th March 2001
St. Patrick's Parade Photographs
including those from Irish Post Photographer Danny
Claffey are now on the site
Update 8th March 2001
Manchester Irish Festival - Business As Usual
There have been a
number of concerns about the impact of the 'foot & mouth' crisis on
the plans for this weekends Irish Festival activities. The main
concern relates to individuals, bands and traders coming from Ireland
to the UK and then returning to Ireland. Clearly nobody wants to compromise
the measures put in place by the Irish Government to protect Irish livestock
and agriculture from the disease. With this in mind - a small number of
participants will not be travelling - especially those that will return
to areas of exclusion and of special agricultural concern.
However, there are however no plans to cancel the Festival Market and Parade. There are sufficient numbers of participants, traders and such like that the small percentage of people not able to travel - will have no real impact on the overall experience and quality of the planned events.
So it's business as usual - and consequently the Irish Festival reaches a climax this weekend with the staging of some key city centre activities.
Update 7th March 2001
Irish Festival Market - 9th / 10th / 11th March
The traditional Irish Festival Market will be taking place in Albert Square
in front of the Town Hall. From Friday through to Sunday (9th - 11th)
and operating from 10.30am - 4.30pm each day.
The market is sponsored by Manchester Markets / Stena
Line and Jury's Inn / Manchester.
Update 7th March 2001
Irish Festival Cafe 9th / 10th / 11th March
In support of the Irish Festival Market - the Town Hall's gothic staterooms
will be given over to the serving all manner of Irish goodies, food and
drinks. The festival Cafe returns in 2001 with an improved menu and facilities
that include a licensed bar and traditional entertainment. On Sunday the
Festival Cafe will operate even longer hours than usual - opening up to
6.30pm. The Town Hall will be open to people after the St. Patrick's Parade
for lively entertainment and traditional Irish hospitality.
Update 7th March 2001
St. Patrick's Parade -11th March
The St. Patrick's Parade will take place on Sunday 11th March. With over
60 floats, bands and community entries - the parade looks set to be bigger
and better than ever before. The route starts from the Irish World Heritage
Centre at 12 noon and then follows Cheetham Hill Road / Corporation Street
/ Cross Street and Albert Square - to be greeted by the Lord Mayor and
other celebrities at 1pm.
The parade is sponsored by Irish Ferries