Irish community in Manchester to host special concert in aid of terror attack victims
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Irish community in Manchester to host special concert in aid of terror attack victims

A SPECIAL concert in aid of the families of the 22 people killed in the Manchester bombing two weeks ago is to be hosted by the Irish community.

Mayo Manchester’s Tourism and Business Group are donating all the profits from the Gala concert being held in Ireland in the Ballina Arts Centre on August 5 to the Manchester Emergency Fund.

The fund was set up to help the families of the 22 people killed and 50 injured in the suicide bombing in the city a fortnight ago.

"We have all been shaken up by the major incident in our home city and were touched by all the messages of support from our friends and family in Mayo and around the world,” said Mayo Manchester’s Director, Tony Hennigan.

“We felt it was only right to do something during our six-day tradfest to try and support the people involved in this horrific act of terrorism.

"We are still looking for more performers from Mayo to get involved, any choirs or dance groups who would like to get involved can email me at [email protected] "

The annual concert is now in its fifth year with a cast of just over one hundred Irish singers, musicians and dancers from both Mayo and Manchester involved.

Performers from Manchester include Joe Keegan from ITV’s The Voice, the Fianna Phadraig Pipe Band and the Keegan Academy of Irish Dancing.

Mayo performers include sean-nós dancers Tommy Stenson and The Ganley Sisters, singer-songwriter Dennis McCalmont and Lavinia Gilmartin's award-winning Heroes for Hospice group.

This year’s gala will be hosted by Manchester United stadium announcer Alan Keegan, who is flying in from the Red Devils' USA Tour especially for the concert.

More information about the concert can be found at www.ballinaartscentre.com