Saturday 6th March

National Irish Studies Conference

9.30am - 3.30pm

Town Hall, Albert Square

Key Speaker in the morning is Bill Simpson, "Kelly's Book", Book of Kells & Trinity College Library - Dublin.

Key Speaker in the afternoon is Irish polar explorer Frank Nugent, author of "Seek the Frozen lands". Plus Workshops.

For Details contact Walter Cassin, 0161 445 9327

Saturday 6th March

Manchester Irish Festival Opening Party Night

10pm - 2am

Palace Nightclub, Levenshulme

£3

0161 257 2484

Tonight sees the opening party night for this year's Manchester Irish Festival. Tom Dee is behind the decks playing commercial dance and uplifting tunes to get the two-week party up and rocking.

Sponsored by WKD

Saturday 6th March

Tommy Dee's Disco

8pm

Pack Horse, Levenshulme

FREE

0161 224 4355

Tommy Dee plays a mixture of Chart, 70s and 80s and classic Irish tunes.

Saturday 6th March

Dance in Aid of Diabetes UK

Sharon, Aiden & The Strangers

8pm

English Martyrs Parish Centre

£2 in advance £3.50 on the door (Members £3)

0161 226 1107

Saturday 6th March

Manchester Irish Festival Opening Night Disco

9pm - 1am

Waxy O'Connors, The Printworks

FREE

0161 835 1210

Irish DJ from 9pm and special offers all day

Saturday 6th March

Irish Eyes

8pm

The Little Western, Moss Side

Saturday 6th March

Flight of the Earls

The Whalley, Whalley Range

8pm

Saturday 6th March

Culainn

O'Sheas Irish Bar, Manchester

10pm - 1am

£1

0161 236 3906

Culainn were formed in 1998 by John Bilek, the brother of Mike Harding and former member of Toss The Feathers and Rattle'n'Reel. Joined by a host of award-winning talented Irish Mancunian musicians, Culainn are set to join Toss The Feathers as a highly celebrated Manc-Irish export, fusing rock with traditional and even soul with didgeridoo.

Saturday 6th March

Shamrock and Lotus

Longsight Library,Longsight

1pm - 2pm

Join poets Bridie Baines and Reba Bhaduri for a poetry recital, a journey which spans from Shannon to the Ganges and reflects the life experiences of both performers.

Sponsored by Manchester Irish Writers Group

Saturday 6th March

Mrs Browns Last Wedding

The Opera House

£11.00 - £17.00

Brendan O'Carroll is Agnes Brown in the smash hit comedy Mrs Brown's Last Wedding. You will see Agnes as she tries to plan her son Trevor's wedding. There will be a stag party, a hen party and a dinner party . . . with a difference!

WARNING: USE OF STRONG LANGUAGE - NOT FOR THE EASILY OFFENDED.

TICKETMASTER 0870 401 9000* subject to booking fee

Saturday 6th March

Country Breeze Band

The Irish Association Social Club, Chorlton

8pm

Cost of entry - phone for details

0161 881 2898

Saturday 6th March

Stones in his Pocket

The Lowry, Salford Quays

3pm and 8pm

£14 - £18

0870 787 5780

This award winning play returns to Manchester as part of this years festival. Featuring 15 extraordinary characters Stones In His Pockets has taken the West End by storm and is a must see during the festival, for further details visit the Lowry Web Site.

Saturday 6th March

Set Dance Ceili

St. Mary's, Elbow Street, Levenshulme,Manchester

Johnny Redy Ceili Band

8.30pm

£5.00

contact Barbara Aherne 0161 740 4675