Manchester community turns green and red

LEVENSHULME in south Manchester was turned green and red to celebrate the start of the two-week 2019 Manchester Irish Festival, which got underway last Friday and continues until March 17.

Councillors Damian Ryan and Michael Holmes, together with Neil Sheridan from Mayo County Council, flew over to Manchester to help launch the festival with the award-winning Fianna Phadraig Pipe Band, and to promote tourism in the west of Ireland and launch the countdown to the global Mayo Day celebrations in May.

The band, who were performing at the popular Levenshulme Market, then staged a short parade of the village which is home to one of the biggest Mayo diaspora communities around the world.

Councillor Ryan commented: “We arrived straight from the airport and all I could see when I opened the taxi door was the green and red of the pipe band performing on the high street.

“I am looking forward to welcoming the group on their return visit to Ashford Castle in Cong in August for the annual Mayo Manchester Tradfest.”

Tony Hennigan from the Mayo Manchester Tourism and Business Group, whose Mayo roots stem from Attymass parish in north Mayo, added: “It was great to get a visit from the Mayo council representatives to help us with the launching of our annual Irish festival and the countdown to Mayo Day.

“We are celebrating the 30th anniversary of my brother's Levenshulme Pub Company this year. We had a surprise visit from Mayo GAA stars Diarmuid O'Connor and Paddy Durcan last week and this week the council pop over - it is great to have such support.”

Levenshulme will host 30 free Irish events which are being sponsored by the Levenshulme Pub Company.

For more information about the Mayo Manchester Tradfest festival and Mayo Day, see www.mayomanchester.com.