MANCHESTER IRISH FESTIVAL AND THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE IRISH COMMUNITY IN MANCHESTER

That this House congratulates the Manchester Irish Festival and the Irish community for holding Europe's biggest Irish Festival, staging over 200 events and generating a record attendance of over 100,000 at its St Patrick's Day Parade alone; notes the huge contribution that the Irish community has made in Manchester; and further notes that from the building of the Manchester Ship Canal to building a world-famous team in the Busby Babes, or the music of the Gallagher brothers through to the comedy of Peter Kay, along with developing the Gaelic Athletic Association, the Irish have helped make Manchester the city it is today, ensuring that its rich Irish cultural thread runs through its city life, keeping it unbroken and helping it grow.