Tradfest Charity Irish session with Grace Kelly & Emma Sweeney & Friends
Wednesday 25 June 2008,
in aid of Calcutta Orphanage & Australia Youth Day Pilgrimage
All Bar takings being donated to two charities
Union Inn, Stockport Rd, Levenshulme,
Doors 7pm, Adm FREE
Family Ceili in aid of Australia Youth Day Pilgrimage
Thurs 26 June 2008
Features performance by three times World Irish Dancing champion - James Keegan,
plus Ceili and Disco
Doors 7.30pm,
St Kent's
Hart Rd, Fallowfield
Adults £3 adv,
£1 children advance, £4 doors
Mike McGoldrick & Musicians & St Mary's Levenshulme
Sunday 29th June
2pm-5pm
Proceeds to St Mary's Levenshulme World Youth Day Representatives & St Bernard's Youth to Lourdes
Advance tickets Adults £3, children £1
Tickets on the day - All £3
Manchester turned Green for Night of the Oscars
Palace Hotel
13th June 2008
Manchester's Palace Hotel in the city centre was turned green when the variety club of Great Britain in conjunction with the Full Irish Radio show from ALL FM staged their inaugural "Pride of Eireann Awards".
Dubbed as Manchester's very own 'Irish Oscars' the evening paid tribute to Manchester's wealth of Irish talent and creativity alongside a number of international Irish stars which included the likes of Keith Duffy from 'Boyzone' and TV personality 'Gloria Hunningford'.
The sell out event was packed with the city's Irish community and Irish stars from the world of Irish entertainment and media.
Entertainment on the evening was non stop from early evening to the small hours of Saturday morning. Upon arrival at the venue guests were greeted by traditional Irish music performed by musicians from South Manchester's 'Young, Gifted & Green'. The troupe also performed the opening for the Awards ceremony on the main stage with a short presentation taken from their recent sell out show at the Lowry Theatre.
Other entertainment on the night included a traditional Irish dance display from the Lally School of Irish Dancing, plus music performances from the 'Queen of Country' - Philomena Begley and Manchester fast rising Irish star 'Michael Muldoon'.
'James Keegan' the three times Irish world dancing champion jetted in from the 'Lord of the Dance' show to perform at the evening along with impromptu Comedy performances from Irish comedians Brenda Carroll (Mrs Brown) , Frank Carson and Jimmy Cricket. Even the compere for the evening – Joe Casserly put his dancing shoes on to give a slick song and dance routine with fellow Manchester musician Ged Graham and comedy writer and actor Phil Mealey.
Joe Casserley from the Full Irish said "It was a fantastic event, the setting was superb it really felt like you were at the Oscars. We even had our own giant replicas of the famous icons at the front of the stage. The evening was a great success and we hope to make it an annual event and one of the annual highlights in the city's Irish calendar. The entertainment was second to none and you would be hard pressed to get together such a wealth of talent on the same night again anywhere in the world."
One of the award recipients - Tony Hennigan from the award winning 'Young, Gifted & Green' who holds the record for the longest press releases ever written received an award for his work in the community and helping to raise just over £120,000 for different charities. He said about receiving the award "It was a lovely evening and it was great to see so many people from Manchester's Irish community share the stage with the other Irish celebrities. I was only too happy to accept the award on behalf of the work done by the troupe over the last twelve years. The dancers and musicians had a great time performing on the night in front of such a prestigious audience."
Other award winners were former Manchester United legend and Irish international 'Paddy Crerand' who is currently a pundit for Manchester United TV. Paddy won the Sports award. Media awards were given to 'Eamonn Holmes' the current anchorman for Sky News, TV Radio presenter 'Henry Kelly' and the 'Irish Post' newspaper for broadcasting media.
Boyzone member 'Keith Duffy' won a award for his work with the Autistic Society. The award winning Tv and Radio presenter 'Gloria Hunniford' from Armagh in Northern Ireland won the TV and Radio Award. Music awards were given to the legendary Irish Folk group 'Foster & Allen', traditional Irish musician 'Dezi Donnelly', the Queen of Country – 'Philomena Begley' and Irish showband star 'Dickie Rock' and major Irish recording star – 'Moya Brennan'.
Representing the world of Irish Comedy is 'Brendan O'Carroll', 'Frank Carson' and 'Jimmy Cricket'. Finally representing Irish Dance is Eileen Lally MBE and the three times world Irish dancing champion – James Keegan who also holds the title of being the youngest ever principal dancer with 'Lord of the Dance'. James was also one of the founding members of 'Young, Gifted & Green' and flew in from a European tour to appear in the troupe's recent charity event at the Lowry.
Community Awards included Fr John Aherne the parish priest of St Mary's Levenshulme and official chaplain of the ALL Ireland champion 'Kerry GAA'. Along with 'Sister Lucy' of Cornerstone, 'Tommie McKenna' from Irish Community Care, 'Kevin and Mary Maguire' of the Good Life Orphanage and 'Joe Cahill' from Manchester's GAA.
A special award was given by the Variety club to the Full Irish Radio show for their unstinting work in the community in promoting Irish culture and for having the vision and ability to help put on such a successful event.
The evening was jointly presented by Joe Casserley of the 'Full Irish' and BBC Radio Manchester breakfast show presenter 'Eamonn O'Neal'.
Photos by Bernie O'Brien
Photos by Tony Hennigan
St Patricks Weekend!
Photo by Tony Hennigan
Thanks to everyone who made the St Patricks Weekend Celebrations such a success this year in Manchester.
St. Patricks day got off to a historic start on Saturday 15 March, the first time it had been celebrated on this day since 1940.
There was a lively start in Levenshulme when a coach load of revellers from Belfast arrived at Hennigans Bar. Dressed as Leprechauns they visited the tradfest at m19 and joined in with the live Irish music and dancing. They had a great time and were still nearly standing at 8pm when they ventured back to their hotel. Hello to all the lads! It was a pleasure to see you.
Photo by Tony Hennigan
The pubs in Levenshulme were packed all through the St Patrick’s weekend with over one hundred Irish musicians, singers and dancers performing ending with the free closing party for the Tradfest closing party on Monday 17 March.
Irish Musicians from as far away as Belfast, France and Italy descended on the village to join in the party. Highlights included an exclusive gig by traditional Irish band 'Cluas' ( Gaelic for ‘Sound’) a five piece band who launched the festival at Manchester Town Hall.
Photo by Tony Hennigan
Next door at the Union Pub the award winning actor (MEN Award winner) and Irish singer songwriter Kieran Cunningham performed in another tradfest concert.
Lawrence Hennigan the director of the Levenshulme Pub company said “It has been a fantastic weekend with something for everyone. The tradfest family sessions were a massive success giving the whole weekend a real community feel to it. We have had children as young as five weeks old enjoying the celebrations along with people as old as eighty joining in the fun.”
Council of Irish Associations
Photo by Bernie O'Brien
The Council of Irish Associations Dinner Dance was held at the Irish World Heritage Centre on Friday 14th March 2008.
Ray Heffernan kick starts the St Patrick’s weekend.
Photo by Tony Hennigan
Ray Heffernan kick started the St. Patrick’s weekend celebrations.
The Dublin based singer songwriter appeared on Jason Mansford's Xfm Breakfast show in the morning of before performing a special intimate concert that evening in M19 Bar's first floor acoustic suite.
He was supported by Paddy O’Hare and Ash Mountain. Ray, the subject of numerous TV documentaries, wrote and sold ‘Angels’ to Robbie Williams
Channel M
Photo by Tony Hennigan
Some of the stars of St Bede's YGG Lowry show appeared on Channel M's breakfast show on Friday to showcase their talents.
The musicians are Pierce, Mairead and Fidelma shown with the Channel M presenters, Nicki and Theresa as well as Joanne Nield, Mrs O'Brien and Mrs Hussey. Also appearing were young dancers from the Keegan Kennedy school of irish Dancing.
YGG Unsigned 2008 Final
Photo by Tony Hennigan
This years Boddingtons YGG Unsigned 2008 was won won by "Syd Bozko".
Second place went to "Elivation" and third place to "The Score".
A packed out capacity crowd cheered all the bands throughout the night in a thrilling and entertaining final which was once again held at at the Packhorse Music Venue on Stockport Road in Levenshulme village on Wednesday 12 March.
The competition was supported by Levenshulme Pub company, XFM radio and Cutting room studios.
The full line up at the final was Astroband, Elivation, The Score, Joon, Syd Bozko and Seven Miles Out.
World Record in Levenshulme
Photo by Tony Hennigan
This years ‘Tradfest’ in Levenshulme set a new world record for the biggest Irish music session held in a Pub.
The Irish session was open to anyone who could sing, play the fiddle, pipes, guitar, harp, bodhran, drums, whistle, flute, accordion, squeeze box, banjo or Spoons.
The historic event on Wednesday 12 March was broadcast by the award winning ‘Full Irish’ radio show team from ALL FM on 96.9fm and it was also broadcast live on the internet to a world wide audience.
Photo by Tony Hennigan
One hundred and six people packed themselves into Union Irish Pub on Stockport Road in Levenshulme village to see the session led by the award winning Irish musician, Grace Kelly.
Grace, who runs a weekly Irish session at the pub every Wednesday night said “It was great to see so many people packed into one pub. We even had people joining in by stamping their feet and clapping along!
We would like to thank Joe Casserley, Martin Logan, Annette Carey and all the team from the full Irish for broadcasting it live. They did a brilliant job.
More photos by Tony HenniganYGG Lowry show raises £10,000 for Hospice
Photo by Loura Conerney
Students from the award winning ‘Young, Gifted & Green’ Irish troupe based at St Bede’s College and Prep School in Manchester have helped raise close to £10,000 for Francis House children’s hospice.
The special evening at the Lowry Theatre in Salford Quays was part of the opening celebrations for this years Manchester Irish Festival.
Special guests on the night included ‘James Keegan’ the three times world champion Irish dancer and current principal with ‘Lord of the Dance’ who flew in from a European tour to help out his former School.
Photo by Loura Conerney
Other award winning guests included Mike McGoldrick (BBC multi instrumentalist of the Year), Dezi Donnelly (RTE Young musician of the Year), Emma Sweeney(BBC finalist), Mairead Hussey, Nicola Cahill and the Keegan Kennedy School of Irish Dancing.
Tony Hennigan the director of the show said, “It was a great show, one of our best to date. The students have put in nearly one hundred hours of practice for the show which was choreographed by former pupil - Louise Keegan of the Keegan Kennedy School of Irish Dancing.'
Photo by Loura Conerney
We were the very first Irish Music and dance show at the Lowry so we created a little bit of history as well as raising a considerable amount of money for
the hospice. Manchester United’s stadium announcer – Alan Keegan helped us raise £4,100 on the auction alone.
We would like to thank our many sponsors (Bethel, Chartrange Limited, Chris O’Connor Promotions, Eamonn A.Kennedy Funeral Directors, The Levenshulme Pub Company, Total Plant Hire and the College), special guests and our compere for the evening – Joe Casserley of the Full Irish 96.9fm Radio show on ALL FM .
This is just one of many events that the College is organising for its annual Lenten appeal to raise money for different charities
Photo by Loura Conerney
The troupe was first formed in 1996 to help launch Manchester’s first Irish Festival. During the last thirteen years it has now helped raise over £150, 000 for different charities.
YGG has staged a number of sell out events at a number of prestigious venues including the 2,000 capacity Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, Manchester Town Hall, St Bede’s College, The Palace Nightclub in Levenshulme and the 6,000 capacity Royal Albert Hall in London for the BBC Blue Peter Proms
Festival Parade
Photo by Bernie O'Brien
Dancing leprechauns, marching pipe bands and shamrock brought alive the spirit of the Emerald Isle over the weekend in Manchester.
The annual Manchester Irish Festival Parade saw over seventy floats march from Cheetham Hill to Albert Square in the to the centre of Manchester and back.
This makes it one of the biggest Irish parades in the UK.
Photo by Tony Hennigan
Thousands of people lined the streets to cheer on the colourful floats from Manchester-based Irish associations, such as Roscommon, Donegal, Armagh, Fermanagh, Galway and County Down accompanied many other groups from across the north west.
The festival's president, Councillor Pat Karney, said that around 50,000 people attended the parade.
Photo by Bernie O'Brien
The Irish market was as busy as ever with market traders from all over Ireland including thre ever popular, "Mr Manchester Irish Festival Market" himself, Eamon Porter from Dublin.
He is shown above with Evelyn Greally of BBC GMR.
Former BBC presenter Michael Kierans welcomed all the floats into Albert Square
Photo by Bernie O'Brien
Sir Richard Leese was among many local politicians and dignitaries attending the event and is shown here in the Beer tent enjoying the entertainment.
More photos of the event by Bernie O Brien
Levenshulme Tradfest
Photo by Tony Hennigan
The opening weekend at this years ‘tradfest’ in Levenshulme village saw sell out concerts and Visitors from as far away as Germany, among them a number of celebrities!
Friday 7 March was the launch night which featured Claire Mooney, the Moving House band, Steve O’Donoghue and traditional Irish band ‘Odi’ from Wexford in Ireland. The award winning actor and singer songwriter Kieran Cunninghan headlined the Saturday night.
Photo by Tony Hennigan
James Cannon and the Sinners appeared in m19bar on Sunday and Sean Cannon, lead singer from Ireland’s legendary traditional Irish band ‘The Dubliner’s’ popped in to support his son.
Promoter James Hennigan said “The opening weekend exceeded all our expectations. It's been a great start to the festival. I never thought I would hear an Irish song sung in German!
Enjoying a pint of the black stuff with Sean Cannon of ‘The Dubliner’s was one of the highlights for me. His son’s band – ‘James Cannon and the Sinners’ were fantastic. They earned two encores. I can't wait for the rest of the festival. It looks like it'll be standing room only for St Patrick’s weekend."
Dana launches Manchester Irish Festival 2008
Photo by Bernie O'Brien
Ireland’s very own first Eurovision star and former MEP ‘Dana’ launched this years thirteenth Manchester Irish Festival at Manchester Town Hall on Friday 7 March.
During the launch she performed hits from her new album and of course a rendition of 'All Kinds of Everything' her Eurovision hit which involved all the festival committee and singers taking to the stage and the audience joining in.
Photo by Tony Hennigan
Evelyn Grealey from BBC GMR hosted the event, attended by the Lord Mayor Cllr. Glyn Evans, introducing Dana and ‘Lord of the Dance Star’ James Keegan who performed two show stopping dances on stage.
Also appearing at the Town Hall launch were poet Tony Walsh, singers Ged Graham and Kerry Firth, the Morgan School of Irish Dancing, St Bernards R.C. Primary School choir from Burnage and Traditional Irish Band ‘Cluas’.
Photo by Bernie O'Brien
Dana shot to fame in the 1970's when she won the Eurovision Song Contest representing Ireland with her song 'All kinds of everything' and went on to record thirty albums
She has recently returned to her first love of music, after representing Ireland as an MEP, and is about to launch a new album and book about her remarkable life.
Photo by Bernie O'Brien
James Keegan, a former member of 'Young, Gifted & Green' and three times world champion, is the youngest dancer to ever get the lead role in Lord of the Dance.
He flew in from a tour of Europe to help launch the festival and appear in St Bede's College 'Young, Gifted & Green' show in aid of Francis House Hospice at the Lowry.
‘Lawrence Hennigan from the festival website said “It was a great start to the festival.
Photo by Tony Hennigan
It was great to see James performing in Manchester again and of course Dana was fantastic. She had time for everyone and her songs brought the house down.”
Traditional Irish Band ‘Cluas’ are also one of the stars of this years ‘Tradfest’ which is taking place in Levenshulme.
They are appearing in the world record attempt at the Union bar on Wednesday 12 March and of course they will be performing during the St Patrick’s weekend celebrations at m19bar on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 March.
More photos of the event by Bernie O Brien
Photographer Bernie O Briens website
Photographs of Irish events around Manchester.
Prints or CDs available for purchase
Tradfest launch in Levenshulme
Levenshulme’s ten day tradfest was also launched on Friday 7 March at m19bar to a capacity crowd.
Acts appearing on the night were Levenshulme’s very own singer songwriter Claire Mooney and the Moving House band, plus Steve O’Donoghue from South Manchester and Irish group ‘ODI’ featuring Claire Odlum from Wexford in Ireland.
Irish World Awards 2008
Photo by Bernie O'Brien
Stars from stage and screen, the literary and music worlds, sport and the Irish community throughout Britain, including The Full Irish Team from Manchester, gathered on Monday 25th February 2008 for the Irish World Awards 2008.
The Full Irish Radio Show on Manchester's all fm ( 96.9fm) won the award for best Community Radio Station.
The Irish Ambassador, his Excellency David Cooney is shown here with Full Irish Show presenter Joe Casserley.
Photo by Lawrence Hennigan
The Galtymore Dance Hall in London was packed for the 21st annual Irish World Awards hosted by Irish World veteran racing columnist and RTE sports anchorman, Colm Murray.
As always, the Irish World Awards reflected the variety of Irish talent.
The Fureys received a Lifetime Achievement award for their contribution to music. www.thefureys.com
Members of the Miami Showband were welcomed into the Irish World’s Hall Of Fame with a special award
Photo by Lawrence Hennigan
Gerry and Joanne from the Southern Hotel in Manchester are the main sponsors of the Full Irish Radio Show.
John McNicholl, Imelda May, Jan O'Driscoll, Niamh Ni Charra, Tommy Fleming all received Awards in the singing categories with The Delorentos, receiving the Award for Best New Band.
Vince Power received an Award for his contribution to the Music Industry.
Photo by Lawrence Hennigan
There was an award too for Jon Culshaw, impressionist and star on both television and radio in “Dead Ringers”. He is shown here with Kath Hennigan of the Levenshulme Pub Company in Manchester, enjoying the evening.
There was also a Lifetime Achievement Award for Eileen King, while Neil Fetherstonhaugh received the Literary Award.
More photos of the event by Bernie O Brien
news story on www.theirishworld.com
Photographer Bernie O Briens website
Photographs of Irish events around Manchester.
Prints or CDs available for purchase
Sunday 9 March
Free Tickets for Post Parade Party with ‘James Cannon & the Sinners’ at M19 Bar
Download your free ticket
to see James Cannon & the Sinners
m19 Bar , Levenshulme
Eleanor McEvoy in M19 bar REVIEW
An appreciative audience packed into M19 Bar on Thursday 7th February 2008 to see the highly acclaimed Irish singer/songwriter Eleanor McEvoy.
It was a great pre-launch to the Tradfest part of this year’s Manchester Irish Festival. Eleanor played alongside Tim Edey, Brendan Power and Lucy Randall; there was also an impromptu performance with Mike McGoldrick of “Clannad” and “Toss the Feathers” fame.
Fans had travelled as far as 40 miles to watch the gig with one fan commenting “It was the best gig I’ve ever been to”. One of the event organisers, James Hennigan commented “It was a real pleasure to have Eleanor on as part of the Nu Routes tour. She really brought the house down when she sang her hit song ‘Only a woman’s Heart’ with the whole room echoing her words. It tingled the hairs on the back of your neck.
Eleanor is not your traditional Irish singer. She is a contemporary Irish singer songwriter who is not afraid to push the boundaries of Irish music. The Tim Edey band made a fantastic combination with Eleanor and their mix of traditional Irish tunes with more contemporary influences went down really well with the audience.”
The night gave everyone a real taste and flavour of what we are trying to do during the Irish festival for our ‘tradfest’ where we will be featuring both traditional and contemporary Irish musicians who are keeping our Irish culture alive. We are really looking forward to the Irish Festival and have put together a programme of events that will hopefully please everyone.
For further information about this Festival website,
and for any suggestions and queries please Email Us
Or contact us on 0161 257 2484.