The King Steals the Show at Irish Festival Launch

This years 2010 Manchester Irish Festival civic launch at Manchester Town Hall erupted when an Irish Elvis Presley (aka the award winning broadcaster Joe Casserley) appeared in the great hall in front of a packed room of celebrities and invited members of the Irish community.

The popular presenter of Manchester’s Full Irish radio show had the audience screaming for more when he made his Royal appearance as The King of Rock n Roll to kick start the opening night of this years fifteenth Manchester Irish Festival on Friday 5th March.

The civic launch was hosted by the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Alison Firth. She is pictured here being serenaded by Joe during his performance.

Award winning broadcaster, writer and Irish Mancunian Terry Christian helped the Lord Mayor to officially launch what is now Europe’s biggest Irish Festival.

The Guinness loving Terry said “It is a honour to help launch this years Manchester Irish Festival. My late parents, who came from Dublin, would have been really proud to see me do it.”

During his speech, Terry paid homage to Manchester’s second generation Irish community who had contributed to the city’s new musical heritage. These included the late Tony Wilson (founder of Manchester’s annual inthecity music conference and ground breaking TV journalist), the late Rob Gretton (Founder of Factory records, manager of New Order and co-owner of the world famous Hacienda club), The Smiths, Oasis and The Courteeners.

Entertainment on the night featured performances from the highly acclaimed Keegan Kennedy School of Irish dancing who performed a piece from their sell out Charity Concert for The Christie Cancer hospital, which this year raised over £10,000.

Other star attractions included the international tenor Martin Toal, the Oldham Scottish Pipe Band, Irish Country star Stephen Smyth, a choir from St.John Fisher & St.Thomas More R. C. Primary School in Wythenshawe and the award winning Morgan School of Irish Dance.

The evening was hosted by Evelyn Grealey from BBC Radio Manchester’s Irish Citizen Manchester, which is broadcast every Monday evening and is the UK's longest running Irish radio show.

Pictures shown here are by the festival's official photographer - Ged Noonan
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Opening Night

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For more pictures from the event click on the Irish Post's Danny Claffey’s Facebook Photo album on the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=634777405&ref=nf#!/photo.php?pid=5554730&id=710176419&fbid=384354951419