Lib Dems back worldwide Mayo Day campaign in Levenshulme
THE leader of the Liberal Democrats, Tim Farron, paid a visit to Levenshulme to back the worldwide Mayo Day celebrations planned for tomorrow.
Farron invited Mayo Manchester to the launch of the party's northwest capaign for the forthcoming snap general election in the UK, which is scheduled for June 8.
A delegation from the group met with Tim and the two candidates, Jackie Pearcey (MP candidate for Gorton) and Councillor John Leech (standing for re-election in Withington), who were happy to show their support for the Mayo Day initiative.
Lawrence Hennigan from Mayo Manchester commented: “It was great to chat to Tim, Jackie and John, as the Irish community are very concerned about Brexit and what it will mean for our close links to Ireland. It is great to see them supporting an anti-Brexit stance and supporting the Mayo Day initiative, which aims to develop our links with Mayo in the west of Ireland. It was great to see the world's media at the launch in Levenshulme.”
Lawrence added: “We have also asked the Labour party in Manchester to support the intiative, which is aimed at developing our tourism and business links with Ireland. The Labour councillor for Burnage, Carl Austin Behan, who is currently the Lord Mayor of Manchester, has asked the deputy leader, Sue Murphy, for permission to turn Town Hall the Mayo county colours of green and red. Fingers crossed that she gets behind the Mayo Diaspora in Manchester and gives her permisssion!'
Jackie Pearcey said the Lib Dems were 'only too pleased' to lend support to the Mayo Day campaign and other initiatives that build links with Ireland and Europe, while John Leech said it was great to see the initiative grow into a worldwide event for the Mayo Diaspora. “I managed to highlight the initiative in the House of Commons and I am delighted to continue my support in developing our links with Ireland,” he added.
Party leader Tim Farron said it was great to see groups like Mayo Manchester develop and strengthen ties with Ireland. “Ireland is our biggest trading partner and our party will do all we can to fight to retain our relationship with the Emerald Isle and the rest of Europe,” he claimed.
Levenshulme in south Manchester is home to one of the biggest Mayo Diaspora communities in the UK. Some of the Mayo Day highlights in Manchester and the UK this weekend include traditional Irish sessions by the award winning fiddle player Grace Kelly at The Horseshoe in Levenshulme tonight (Friday, April) and the Chorlton Irish Club on Sunday (April 30), plus the screening of the Mayo film Soulsmith, which will have its UK première on Tuesday (May 2) at the Derby Film Festival.
For more information on everything to do with Mayo Day 2017 see www.mayo.ie.