Highlightsof the Manchester Irish Festival 2007

Ray HeffernanSaturday 3rd March

Highlights include AcousticFest at Levenshulmes M19 Bar with Dublin born singer songwriter ‘Ray Hefernan’ who wrote Robbie Williams worldwide hit ‘Angels’, Laura-Anne, Adam Kelly, Sean Whittaker, Charles Swift, Grand Reunion, Mark Wilmot, Simon Hopper Band, jordansenior and Ash Dean and Irish Music night with Singer songwriter Kieran Cunningham in the Union Irish Music Lounge

RossonieriSunday 4th March

Highlights include The Full Irish Family Fun Day at St Mary's Parish Centre in Levenshulme with Joe Casserley and the Full Irish Radio Show team from All fm Radio 96.1fm featuring the Rossonieri, Young Gifted and Green, the Keegan Kennedy School of Irish Dancing, the Justine Ward Mallinson School of Irish Dancing, Sean Dempsey Set Dancing and Special Guests.

M19 Open Mic Night Julia Hill performingMonday 5th March

Highlights include Irish Dancing Classes at St Mary's Parish Centre with the Justine Ward Mallinson School of Irish Dancing and the Open Mic Night Irish Festival Special open to all traditional and contemporary Irish Comedians, Musicians, Poets and Singers in M19 bar

Peter Kaye in the ProducersTuesday 6th March

Highlights include Irish Bulls Eye in The Pack Horse, a Fun Pub Quiz in the Union Irish Music Lounge and Mel Brooks smash hit musical "The Producers" with Peter Kay as Roger DeBris hired to put on the worst musical in Broadway history, which is running throughout the festival.

Grace KellyWednesday 7th March

Highlights include the ‘Around the Fire Irish Session’with traditional Irish flute player Grace Kelly and friends featuring a host of Irish musicians.

Guest musicians and singers are welcome.

Jason manfordThursday 8th March

Highlights include the Manchester Irish Comedian of the Year – Heat 3, the final heat of this years competition featuring ten finalists trying to get one of the last few places in the final. 

The Heat also features an appearance from the award winning comedian and XFM breakfast show presenter ‘Jason Manford’

Irish Festival MarketFriday 9th March

Highlights include the first day of the Irish Festival Market in Albert Square outside the historic Manchester Town Hall and ‘Young, Gifted & Green’s annual Irish Charity Concert hosted by Alan Keegan from BBC Radio Manchester with a special guest appearence from Dezi Donnelly.

Band from County HellSaturday 10th March

Highlights include Celtic Rock night with ‘the Band from County Hell’ in The Pack Horse, Levenshulme.

The award winning eight piece Celtic Rock band make an exclusive appearance at this years Irish Festival. 

Irish Festival ParadeSunday 11th March

Highlights include The Irish Festival Parade which starts at 12 noon at the Irish World Heritage Centre and progresses along Cheetham Hill Rd, Corporation Street and onto Cross St and around Albert Square, before returning to the Irish World Heritage Centre by the same route.

Jimmy DochertyMonday 12th March

Highlights include An evening with Jimmy Docherty and his Irish Band fresh from supporting Ronan Keating on his far eastern tour and the BBC Radio Manchester Irish Night Live Broadcast and Open Mic night in M19 Bar, Levenshulme featuring acts from the bar’s weekly open mic night and a whole host of Irish Comedians, Dancers and Musicians who are performing in this year’s Manchester Irish Festival.

Barry EvansTuesday 13th March

Highlights include the Irish Sports Quiz challenge in Hennigan’s Sports Bar with Quiz master Barry Evans. This year Hennigan's are throwing down the gauntlet and challenging all the other Irish pubs and associations to try and beat them in this fantastic battle of Irish Sports trivia.

Martin HoganWednesday 14th March

Highlights include ‘Around the Fire Irish Session’ with the Full Irish Radio show and traditional Irish flute player Grace Kelly. Martin Hogan and Annette Carey will be broadcasting the session live on All fm 96.9fm and on the internet for The Full Irish Radio show.

A Whist Drive (Tiomaint Fuist) at the Irish World Heritage Centre organised by Conradh na Gaelige Manchain (The Gaelic League Manchester) coincides with Seachtain na Gaelige (Irish Language Week)

YGG Huge Crowd ExpectedThursday 15th March

Highlights include the ever popular FINAL of the Boddingtons YGG Unsigned Bands Competition 2007 in The Pack Horse, Levenshulme with the six band finalists hoping to win over £1,000 worth of prizes. Support comes from Xfm 97.7 Manchester and top Irish Indie DJ James H.

Kick Me in the..Friday 16th March

Highlights include the ShamRocknRoll St Patrick’s Eve special featuring four of Manchester’s hottest new bands with Irish roots, The Times, The Manyanas, The Nouvelles and Kick me in the….

Indie DJ James H will keep the party going until the early hours.

David HSaturday 17th March

Highlights of St Patricks Day include the Undertones, Mark Radcliffe & The Family Mahone with U2 tribute ACHTUNG BABY at the Academy. The St Patrick's Weekend Family Fun Fair in Erwood Park, St Patrick’s Day Parties all over Manchester and the second night of West Life at the MEN Arena

Moya BrennanSunday 18th March

Highlights include Moya Brennan "The Voice of Clannad" at the Lowry, an afternoon of traditional Irish tunes and full on Celtic rock number in the Celtic Rock afternoon with ‘The Rossoneri in the Pack Horse and Irish Mothers Day with Irish singer songwriter ‘Peter Mylett’ otherwise known as ‘The Mayo Man’ performing a special Sunday afternoon concert for all Mothers in M19 bar.

80s LukeMonday 19th March

Highlights include the Manchester Irish Festival Comedian of the Year Final where Ten finalists compete to become the next Peter Kay or Father Ted. Plus compere Luke Bailey and special guest Manchester Irish comedian Jason Manford from XFM’s breakfast show.

POST Festival Events

Friday 23rd March

The Fullen Gaels Hurling club Fundraising night at St Kentigern's Social Club in Fallowfield where everyone is welcome to give support to the club since it's the first time that hurling has being back in the north for 12 years