Coronation Street star hosts Celebrity packed Charity Gala for festival

Pride of Eireann International Awards staged during Festival

One of the major highlights of this years’ Manchester Irish Festival will be the VIP packed ‘Pride Or Eireann International Awards evening’. The special Gala charity event is being hosted by Coronation Street and Boyzone star Keith Duffy and is in aid of the ‘Hearts & Minds’ charity.

The prestigious celebration is to be held on St Patrick’s Day -Saturday 17th March at The Point Venue at Lancashire Cricket Club in Manchester.

Joe Casserley the UK co-ordinator of the event said “The Pride of Eireann Awards were inaugurated in 2008 and take place every four years to mark outstanding achievements within the Irish community, along with highlighting the work carried out by some of the lesser well know organizations and individuals in England ,Ireland and beyond. Previous winners have included Keith Duffy, Brendan O’Carroll (aka Mrs Brown), Eamonn Holmes and Gloria Hunniford to name but a few. Our winners come from many different areas such as the world of TV, Music, Sport, Media, the Irish community and charity organization’s. The one thing that they all have in common is that they inspire others and are all worthy Ambassadors for Irish Culture.”

The event features a gala dinner, during which the awards will be presented. It promises to be a star studded and unmissable evening with a whole host of celebrities in attendance who will receiving awards as well as helping to present them.

The nominated charity for the dinner is Hearts and Minds, an organization to which Keith Duffy a former recipient of one of the inaugural awards has close links and who are doing fantastic work supporting families affected by Autism in both the UK & Ireland.

Alan Keegan the voice of Manchester United and Old Trafford’s Theatre of Dreams will be on hand as MC for the night ensuring all goes to plan. There is an incredible line up of entertainment from a number of acts including the King of Swing – ‘Cole Page’ and stunning Irish female vocalist ‘Redd’ along with the International Irish singing star ‘Brian Kennedy’. Guests will also be treated to a show stopping Irish dancing set from the cast of ‘Essence of Ireland’ as well as Manchester’s very own Celtic Rock super-group ‘The Last Drop’.

Tickets cost £60 per person and tables of ten are £600. Reception will be 7pm, dinner served 7.30 prompt, dress code is Lounge suits and party dresses.

For further information Tel 0161 973 1856, Mobile 07855 443 360 or email
info@prideofeireann.com or visit the website on www.prideofeireann.com