Everything to watch for at the Manchester Irish Festival 2025

Here is a rundown of everything you need to be keeping an eye out for this weekend ahead of St. Patrick’s Day in Manchester.

Transcript

00:00Hello and welcome to Manchester World, my name's Theo Houston-Betts and we are now

00:03barrelling towards St Patrick's Day, everyone's favourite excuse to get out onto the streets

00:07and drink unholy amounts of black gold.

00:10Here in Manchester though, we don't do things by half, and St Patrick's Day is only the

00:13tip of the iceberg this weekend as the 2025 edition of the Manchester Irish Festival gets

00:18ready to kick into top gear.

00:20The festival started last weekend and there have already been hundreds of events around

00:24the city, from dance workshops to Six Nations Watch Alongs to some top, top tier gigs, and

00:29there's more of the same going on this weekend.

00:31The purpose of this video is to try and draw your attention to some of the specific events

00:34and activities that look like a perfect way to celebrate Irish culture and its connection

00:38to the city of Manchester.

00:40Starting on Friday at the Union Inn, there's an exhibition celebrating 30 years of the

00:43Manchester Irish Festival with 30 iconic images from across the years being showcased.

00:47At the Keegan Academy of Irish Dance, there is, you'll never guess, an Irish dance class

00:52for those looking to take up an exciting new skill to celebrate the week.

00:55On Saturday, Mother Mary's Little Ireland Festival kicks off.

00:59It's going on from Saturday right through to Monday with over 30 live acts performing

01:02across two stages.

01:03Tickets will cost £5 if you book in advance, so don't dilly dally.

01:07Also on Saturday, Ireland are facing off against Italy in the Six Nations and there are a handful

01:11of great places to watch.

01:13Freya Island are still doing their Six Nations service, while the Union Inn and the Farmers

01:17Arms in Burnage also look like great options.

01:20At St John's in Chorlton Street, there's a St Patrick's Weekend extravaganza which

01:23will cost £10 for non-members, but there is a promise of great music, offers on Guinness

01:27and other drinks, and a best-dressed competition.

01:30There's lots more too, the St Patrick's Day Escape at the Central Library, the Secret

01:34Rave, a venue nightclub, the Bingo Lingo at Freya Island as well.

01:37So don't stay in this weekend, have a look around and go along to the thing that suits

01:41you the best.

01:42Happy St Patrick's Day everyone, sláinte.