Leeds to celebrate Irish history

The Irish Arts Foundation has organised a full programme of events, including a day of lectures around themes such as John Ford’s portrayal of Ireland on the screen, the 1916 Easter Rising and Irish parliamentarians killed in World War One.

The event - in collaboration with the Centre for Irish Studies at St Mary’s University, Twickenham - will be held in Headingley Enterprise and Arts Centre from 11.30am on Saturday, March 19.

There will also be traditional Irish music sessions at The Garden Gate, Whitfield Place, Hunslet, at 2.30pm on Saturday, March 5, and at The Harp, Cromwell Street, Lincoln Green, from 2pm on Thursday, March 17.

MP Greg Mulholland will give a talk about the Irish community in Otley at the The Manor House, Walkergate, from 7.30pm on Thursday, March 10 and Irish comedian Dylan Moran will perform at Leeds Town Hall at 8pm on Wednesday 16.

A St Patrick’s Day parade will set off from Cookridge Street at 11am on Sunday, March 13, followed by a celebration with live music and dancing, stalls, food and displays in Millennium Square. Irish History Month was first celebrated in Leeds in 2007 and is aimed at celebrating the positive contributions that Irish people have made to the city, as well as to introduce more people to Irish arts, heritage, culture and history.

It is supported by the Irish Arts Foundation, Leeds City Council and the Irish Government through the Emigrant Support Programme.

Visit www.irisharts.org.uk for a full programme of events.