Grandad TUBE 2 - Grandad H recollects his favourite prayer- 'Hail, holy queen' on our visit to Knock Shrine.  He is confirming tomorrow his appearance at the Gathering.  I bet he comes along...

MANCHESTER / MAYO GATHERING GETS MENTION IN PARLIAMENT!

Manchester's Lib Dem MP John Leech has praised the Manchester - Mayo initiative in Parliament.  The award winning MP commended the Gathering and acknowledged the contribution that the Irish have made in south Manchester. 

John's Early Day motion (EDM) reads - "That this House commends the Manchester-Mayo Gathering for celebrating, through its festivities from 1 to 9 August 2013, the deep and enduring cultural bond shared between the city of Manchester and County Mayo on account of the many Irish migrants and people of Irish descent who have helped to shape Manchester both physically and culturally; recognises South Manchester as home to one of the largest Mayo communities in the UK; and further notes that some of Manchester's most famous products, Manchester United and the music of the Smiths, the Stone Roses and Oasis, all bear testament to the great contribution of Irish heritage to Manchester's international identity."

REEK SUNDAY SEES 25,000 CLIMB CROAGH PATRICK!

Over 25,000 people climbed Croagh Patrick today to celebrate Reek Sunday Joining the pilgrimage were Joe and Tony Hennigan although it has not been confirmed that they made the early morning trek in bare feet.

Reek Sunday or Garland Sunday is a yearly pilgrimage in Ireland.  On the last Sunday in July pilgrims climb Ireland's "holiest mountain", Croagh Patrick (Cruach Phádraig) in County Mayo, traditionally in their bare feet.  The pilgrimage has been held yearly for about 1,500 years.

It is held in honour of Saint Patrick who, according to tradition, spent 40 days fasting on the mountain in the year 441, following Jesus and Moses.  In reality, the modern pilgrimage is a long-Christianised variation of a ritual that dates back to pre-Christian, pagan Celtic Ireland, celebrating the festival of Lughnasadh. Pilgrims come from as far as Australia, Europe the United Kingdom and United States to complete the climb. Scientific analysis of the climbers first occurred in 2006 and Mass from the summit was broadcast worldwide via RTÉ for the first time in 2008

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Approximately 20,000–30,000 pilgrims participate on the day, compared to an annual climbing total of more than 100,000. The Archbishop of Tuam leads the climb each year. 150 personnel from eleven mountain rescue teams from across Ireland, including the local Mayo Mountain Rescue Team (MMRT) for whom it is the busiest day of the year, as well as the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Civil Defence Ireland and members of Garda Síochána are involved in the climb.  Injuries ranging from cuts and broken bones to hypothermia and full cardiac arrest have occurred in the past.

ONLY 2 more places for JACK CHARLTON GOLF

Kevin Fitzpatrick, boss of St Kentigerns' - reports that there is only TWO places left for the Manchester / Mayo Golf Tournament in Ballina Ireland from 6-8th August.

The event, dubbed the Ryder Cup of the Gathering - sets Manchester against Mayo.  It takes place at Ballina Golf Club. 

Do you want to take on the might of Ballina Golf Club for St Kent's Golf Society? - have you got a number for Rory McIlroy?  

For details contacts Kevin at St Kents - the place to be!

GRANDAD TUBE 1:' MY ILLEGAL ENTRY'

Ever wondered where you are from and want to know the story? Well, I did and enrolled renowned broadcaster Lawrence Hennigan to ask the questions.  Joe, Josie or Grandad tells about his illegal entry on these shores in the first of our GRANDAD TUBE broadcasts...

Grandad H, left Ballina ages ago - and his decision to leave has led to... 7 kids, 19 grand kids and 12 great grand kids (a number that has been growing by the month)  Filmed in Ballycong - Joe reflects on his life and looks forward to the biggest movement of Irish Diaspora for generations!

Joe is also tells how he set eyes on Levenshulme as Lawrence H talks about the Mayo / Manchester Gathering, part of the North Mayo Gathering - 1st -9th August 2013...

'IT'S LIFT OFF' AS KEITH LAUNCHES MANCHESTER / MAYO GATHERING

Dancers from the award-winning Keegan Academy of Irish Dancing from south Manchester and Young, Gifted and Green were delighted when actor and singer Keith Duffy launched the Manchester / Mayo Gathering at a special event at Manchester Airport.

Keith has always been a big supporter of the Manchester Irish Festival and flew over especially to support the event. Keith even promoted the 10 day Manchester / Mayo Gathering to his 138,000 followers on Twitter...

Louise Keegan, choreographer of the Keegan Academy of Irish Dancing said - "We were delighted to meet Keith who has been a huge supporter of Irish culture in Manchester over the years.  His support is fantastic and he is welcome to come and try out some Irish Dance moves with us."  


Keith told his Twitter followers - "The connections between Manchester and Ireland are very strong, plans have been underway for a year!  120 events that include a performance by multi-award winning Lord of the Dance star - James Keegan, also from Manchester! Got to get them home for the celebrations!"

MANCHESTER - MAYO CONCERT PREVIEW!

Sometimes, I marvel at the stack of talent in small communities.  Take for example - Manchester, home to one of the biggest Irish Communities outside of Ireland in the world.  A look at some of the eminent Irish Musicians that have come from south Manchester is incredible.  Take for example Dezi 'Fiddles on Fire' Donnelly or former BBC Traditional Musician of the Year Michael McGoldrick or Flook's sensational Bodhran player John Joe Kelly...  

Then, there's our dancers from Manchester - led by multiple World Champion - James Keegan - principal dancer in Lord of the Dance no less. James is now teaching a new generation of dancers with his sister - award winning choreographer - Louise Keegan.

Music brings communities together and south Manchester is a classic example of that.  It's just like Rhosllanerchrugog in North Wales, a village of just 9,000 with at least FOUR World Class Choirs and has produced musicians like Llyr Williams Just like the people with Irish connections in south Manchester, the people of Rhosllanerchrugog have stuck steadfastly to their traditions and rightly so.

This brings me to the actors, musicians and dancers from Crossmolina, County Mayo.  Led by the impressive Sheila Mofatt.  I first saw this talented group at the premiere of their new production - The Emigrants’ Farewell at The Royal Theatre, Castlebar in April.  

To say this show was outstanding is an understatement, I felt like I was at the start of something massive.  All the participants were local to Crossmolina - which makes it even more of an incredible achievement.  I think I counted one musician playing at least 7 different instruments to an amazing standard! Produced by Atlantic Rhythm Productions, this outstanding bunch of Mayo performers, aged between about 6 and 60 produced an emotional, yet hilarious look at life in County Mayo in 1912.  The show had already wowed audiences in Boston, USA and Manchester - they took the show home and the 500 strong audience led by Tourism Minister Michael Ring TD were on their feet in raptures.  I won't tell you the story - you'll have to go and go and see it yourself!  Here's a sneak preview: http://www.irishtv.ie/the-emigrants-farewell/

Friday, 2nd August at Ballina Arts Centre sees Sheila Moffat's Atlantic Rhythm Productions join forces with Louise Keegan's Young, Gifted and Green as part of the Manchester / Mayo and North Mayo Gathering.  The talent on stage is going to be phenomenal and I for one can't wait.  I will post my review of the gig here next week, which also features Reel Rhythm Dancers, traditional band - Flatout, PJ Reilly, the Attymass Choir and Flute Player Carmel Gunning.

MANCHESTER AND MAYO HOOK UP FOR THE GATHERING!

Manchester joins forces with Mayo North for Gathering Project Manchester joins forces with Mayo North for Gathering ProjectManchester joins forces with Mayo North for Gathering Project

Manchester's newly formed Manchester-Mayo Tourism & Business group have joined forces with Tourism groups in and around Ballina to stage a special festival for The 2013 Gathering Project called the 'Mayo-North Gathering'.

The proposed festival will be launched in Attymass at the Father Peyton Centre on Thursday 1st August and run to Friday 8th August. It will be part of the Manchester-Mayo Gathering which will have festival hubs in Ballina and Attymass, but it is hoped that other parishes and surrounding towns will get involved in the new initiative which hopes try to boost tourism all over the North Mayo area.

Festival highlights already confirmed include the internationally famous Bonniconlon Agricultural, Ballina's Pearse Street Gathering and a Pre-historic Heritage Trail in Attymass exploring the areas links to its Celtic roots. The Festival has already enlisted the support of two of Manchester's major festivals - the annual Manchester Irish Festival and the Levenshulme Community Festival in South Manchester to help promote it.

Partners in the project already confirmed are the Manchester-Mayo Tourism Group, the Ballina Chamber, the North Mayo and Sligo Heritage group, the Fr. Peyton centre in Attymass, the Bonniconlon Show, the Ballina Salmon Festival, the Mayo North Tourism Group, the Ballina 2013 Gathering group, the Ballina Arts Centre.

Tony Hennigan from the Manchester-Mayo group said "The idea behind the festival is to try and tap into the UK market by staging a festival which coincides with their summer break. Manchester and in particular Levenshulme village in South Manchester is home to one of the biggest Mayo communities in the UK. We want to try and reignite the tradition of families from Manchester going back to Ireland for their summer holidays to meet up with friends and family. The Festival is planning to host a series of Art, Culture, Dance, Heritage, Music, Sport & Theatre events. We are looking for as many events as possible to be staged during the week. Other Possible ideas include a 'Golf Tournaments', 'Fishing Competitions', 'Heritage Trails', 'Manchester- Mayo GAA & Soccer tournaments', 'Irish Music & Dance Shows', 'Traditional Irish nights', 'Photographic Exhibitions' along with 'Clan and Parish reunions'. The festival is an ideal opportunity to extend the festival season in Ballina which is launched with the Ballina Salmon Festival at the beginning of July."

Deputy Minister Michelle Mulherin TD said "'The Gathering 2013 is not just an opportunity to give our Irish diaspora located all over the world a great homecoming which will make for a tremendous boost to our tourism industry for that year. Here at home, it is an opportunity for people in towns and villages, communities and parishes in our own area to pool talent and resources and reach out to each other like never before, to go beyond traditional divides to try and create homecoming events. Working together we can achieve great things and this can form a strong co-operative basis for how we develop and market all that is great in our area and grow our tourism sector in the future."

Vincent Roche the chair of the Mayo North Tourism Group added 2I think this is a great idea and are looking forward to working with Manchester to make this event one of the major events in Mayo."

For further information about the project and how to get involved in North Mayo you can contact the Ballina Tourist Office on 096 72800 or email ballinatouristoffice@gmail.com or visit www.northmayo.ie

For further information about the Manchester-Mayo Gathering email info@manchesteririshfestival.co.uk or visit www.manchesteririshfestival.co.uk or follow us @mayogathering on Twitter or contact Tony on 00447912512977