Manchester Irish Festival 2016 1 | Page 3

W elcome to the 21st Manchester Irish Festival. This brochure will keep you up to date with everything all the craic. If you would like to add your event to this brochure then please email [email protected] I am delighted that the annual Manchester Irish Festival has now reached its 21st year. It doesn't seem like 21 years since a few of us sat together for our inaugural meeting to set the festival up. Ever since, for the first few weeks of March, we have managed to turn Manchester green and create a two week festival. Manchester and especially Levenshulme, home to one of the biggest Irish communities outside of the Emerald Isle has always had great links with Ireland. Indeed the first Irish Festival was launched by the then President of Ireland Mary Robinson at Manchester Town Hall and has since helped Levenshulme launch a festival in Ireland. This year, venues throughout Greater Manchester are celebrating the city’s 21st birthday and Ireland’s centenary. From Irish comedy to music, literature and theatre there is something for everyone to enjoy at this action packed festival. It's great to see venues all over the city joining the five main festival hubs in Levenshulme, Chorlton, Fallowfield, Cheetham Hill and the City Centre in hosting some fantastic events. Don't forget - you don't have to be Irish to get involved. For a day to day ‘What's On’ Guide - go to www.manchesteririshfestival.co.uk or follow us on twitter @mancirishfest for up to the minute news. LAWRENCE HENNIGAN - MARKETING DIRECTOR OF WWW.MANCHESTERIRISHFESTIVAL.CO.UK