Support for the Manchester-Mayo Gathering was evident during events at last weekend’s Irish Tourism Festival in Levenshulme
Excitement is growing for the Manchester-Mayo Gathering 2013 as Taoiseach Enda Kenny sent his support for the event to organisers.
At an Irish Tourism Festival held in Levenshulme over the weekend, Ireland’s Mayo-born Premier declared his support for the Gathering events being planned by Manchester Irish brothers Lawrence and Tony Hennigan.
Mr Kenny met the pair in Mayo earlier this year, when they received a Mayo Diaspora Award for the Manchester Irish Festival team. Last week the Taoiseach sent a letter encouraging Manchester’s Irish community to support the Manchester-Mayo Gathering event. It was read out at their tourism weekend, organised to promote their 2013 event as part of the Levenshulme Festival.
“I would encourage anyone living in Manchester with a connection to Co. Mayo to make every effort to travel and join the celebrations at the Manchester-Mayo Gathering,” Mr Kenny wrote. “This particular Gathering will be taking place in Ballina in August and I have no doubt it will be a very enjoyable experience for those attending.” He added: “Throughout 2013, Ireland will open its arms to hundreds of thousands of friends and family from all over the world. This will be the people’s party, and the Gathering will kick-off in spectacular style at the New Year’s Eve Festival in Dublin as we enter 2013.”
The best of Irish dance, music, sports and culture were all on offer at the tourism weekend inLevenshulme, which was supported by The Irish Post. It further boasted a live Radio broadcast by the award-winning Full Irish Radio Show and a Massey Ferguson Vintage Tractor display.
Lawrence Hennigan said: “It’s been a fantastic Mayo weekend. We have had visitors from all over Britain. The village has very strong ties to Co. Mayo and we have wanted to put on this type of event for a long time.”
The Levenshulme Festival, now in its 14th year, runs until November 11. The Manchester-Mayo Gathering will run from August 1-9, 2013 and takes place in and around Ballina in Co.Mayo.
For further information or event listings contact the festival office on 07771 782104 or visit www.levenshulmefestival.co.uk
