Manchester Irish Village gives out over 500 free presents at Children's Street Party

1,200 turn out for Manchester’s Irish Village Christmas Celebration

Levenshulme’s Irish traders clubbed together to stage a massive Christmas Street party for the children in the village, situated in South Manchester.

Over 1,200 members of the community braced the sub zero temperatures to join in the annual festive celebration to officially turn on its Christmas Tree on Friday 9th December on the village Green. The area which is home to one of the biggest Irish communities outside of London holds event every year to celebrate its Christmas display and bring some festive cheer to local families.

The Levenshulme traders had joined forces with the City Council to pay for over 500 free Christmas presents to be given out to local children. The award winning Irish entertainer – Joe Casserley from the Full Irish Radio show dazzled the crowd with his routine as Manchester’s very own Irish Elvis. Whilst St Mary’s Junior School choir performed a number of traditional Christmas carols.

The Switch On was officially carried out by the Rt Hon. Sir Gerald Kaufman,MP alongside local Irish councillors. Manchester’s two Premiership Football Clubs; City and United also sent over their mascots - Moonchester, Moonbeam and Fred the Red to entertain the crowds.

Lawrence Hennigan , whose Irish roots stem from Attymass in County Mayo and is the director of The Levenshulme Pub Company said, " The event was again a huge success and despite the cold, some 1,200 local residents turned out to support the community celebration. I would like to thank the Council as well as the Levenshulme Traders, who were really generous in enabling us to give away over 500 free presents. Children as young as four weeks old met Santa - who certainly had his work cut out."

"The switch on was a major success and has capped an amazing year for our community. The Levenshulme Festival broke all records, our 'Levenshulme Means Business' event helped promote our local businesses. Next year we are looking forward to the annual Irish Festival in March and we have just found out, that the Olympic Torch will come to our village on the 24th June."

Declan Mulhern who is also from Attymass in County Mayo who just bought the popular Irish Pub "The Horseshoe" was there with his son Keelan and his brother Aidan. They are pictured here with Manchester United’s Fred the Red. He commented “It was a fantastic evening and one which we were delighted to get involved with.”

The events main sponsors are Manchester City Council, Asda, Tesco, The Levenshulme Pub Company, Sanderson James Estate Agents, intime Taxis and the Horseshoe Pub with contributions from other local traders and organizations in the area.