Manchester Irish Fesitval 2012: 100,000 revellers expected for parade
Europe’s biggest Irish festival takes place this month as the Manchester Irish Festival 2012 comes to town.
The festival, established in 1996, celebrates all things Irish and runs from the March 2 – 18. Endorsed by the Irish Prime Minister, Enda Kenny, as biggest Irish Festival in Europe outside of the Emerald Isle, the organisers are aiming to make it the biggest Irish celebration in the world.
One of the major highlights of the festival takes place this weekend with the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade on Sunday, expected to attract over 100,000 revellers and 1000 participants.
The parade, led by the Lord Mayor of Manchester and other dignitaries, will travel a three mile route from leaving the Irish World Heritage Centre at 11:30am, passing through Cheetham Hill Road, Corporation Street, Cross Street, John Dalton Street, Lloyd Street and Albert Square before arriving back at the centre at 2:30.
The organiser of the parade, Brian Kennedy, is encouraging Mancunians to turn out in force. He said: “It is a great free day out for all the family and everyone in Manchester wears something green and puts a smile on their face.”
Popular Irish musicians The Dubliners and eccentric songbird Sinead O’Connor are among the headliners performing at the parade, which has hosted international sensations Riverdance and the Lord of the Dance in recent years.
As well as the parade the festival has a range of other activities to get involved with, including musical and comedic performances, art exhibitions, a Bob Dylan & The Clancy Brothers tribute night and a Ladies day for the females to enjoy.
The parade isn’t just for the Irish among us, however, and the organisers are welcoming support from all sections of the community.
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Tony Hennigan, Festival Press Officer, said: “It is not geared exclusively to people with Irish roots, it is open to all and attracts a proud spectrum of visitors.”
The Irish Festival Community Market continues to run in Albert Square this weekend, finishing up on Sunday which is expected to be its busiest day. The market is well worth a visit for a taste of Ireland, selling traditional Irish foods such as soda farls and potato bread.
If you’re looking for an authentic Irish souvenir a visit to the stall selling Irish turf burners is a must. Flanagan’s Irish Coffee House and O’Brien’s Bar are also worth a visit for a beverage or two.
The Manchester Irish Festival finishes up on Sunday March 18, the day after St. Patrick’s Day, with a range of events designed with Mother’s Day in mind.
Tommy Fleming, favourite of Irish mothers everywhere, will stage a performance in the Opera House from 7.30pm and a ticket to this is certainly a wise choice for a Mother’s Day present.
The organisers "expected"
The organisers "expected" 100,000 in 2010 too and it was more like 10,000. So why keep on "expecting" 100,000 when every year only 10,000 turn up?
And after the 2012 event they claimed that 100,000 had attended. This is untrue as the photographs show very clearly.
All of this brings the event and Manchester itself into disrepute. In particular the Council and Councillors should be very careful about parroting any of this propaganda because better things are expected of those in public life.
The piece clearly says
The piece clearly says 'expected' ie because it was published before the event. So how has the paper fallen for anything?
Read things properly in future.
I'm disappointed that
I'm disappointed that Mancunian Matters is falling for the spin. You should deal in factual reporting and hard evidence. Not just regurgitate press releases that are put out by people who have every reason to exaggerate.
Here is the truth about the size of crowds on the day (including photos):
http://www.g7uk.com/photo-video-blog/20120321-photographs-expose-the-mar...
Money is being withdrawn from various Council services and other events while this parade continues to receive funding. Is that decision also made on the basis of "100,000" watching the parade? If so, that is a misuse of public money.
Get tucked paddy
Get tucked paddy
There's a St George's Day
There's a St George's Day Festival and Parade in Manchester every year. You would think that if the people with their whiney comments were such big patriots they would know this. The English patron saint was Turkish, something the meatheads don't know either.
I'm Irish, love the festival, and also love the St George's one as well.
As for Mr Idiot's comment about the IRA bombing Manchester - that was done by the IRA, not by Irish people. The Irish community in Manchester has always taken a strong line against any violence apparently carried out in our name.
Totally agree. I think a pint
Totally agree. I think a pint of Guinness but St Patricks Day might as well be named Guinness Day but its over commercialised nonsense. Why do all cities, London does all well and New York, celebrate Ireland's national day and not England's or Scotland and the Welsh one?
Lets all celebrate st Georges
Lets all celebrate st Georges day !
st Patricks day ok.st Georges
st Patricks day ok.st Georges day we c'ant have that it might be considerd wayist !
How many people will turn up
How many people will turn up to a St George's Day parade - 100,000 I think not.
This fascination with all things Irish is largely founded on booze and I would like to see a celebration of the English patron saint, after all isn't Manchester in England.
It's also not that many years since the IRA tried to destroy the city. Not right. I know expect some angry Paddies to respond
M
M
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