Fáilte!
Dear Friends,
March is here, and with it comes one of the biggest celebrations in our calendar – St Patrick’s Day! We’ve also got some fantastic community news to share, from an exciting new dance studio opening to supporting Irish sport in local schools. Read on to find out more and to get involved.
Upcoming Event – St Patrick’s Day Celebration
Monday, 17th March 2025 – St Patrick’s Day at The Round House
Join us at The Round House for a fantastic evening of music, dance, and craic as we come together to celebrate St Patrick’s Day!
- Doors open from 5:00pm
- Live Music from Peter Mylett
- Performance from The Shamrock School of Irish Dance – North West
- Traditional Irish Stew & Soda Bread – Free for all guests
- Free entry – everyone welcome!
It promises to be a brilliant night celebrating our culture, our community, and our pride – so bring your friends and family along and let’s make it one to remember! ☘️
Complete Our Location Survey
As we plan for the future of Bolton Irish Association, we really want to hear from you, our community.
We’ve put together a very short location survey to help us understand how we can make sure our events and services are accessible and convenient for everyone.
It only takes a minute to complete, and your feedback will make a big difference in shaping our plans.
Please click here to complete the survey:
https://boltonirishassociation.co.uk/location-survey/
Your voice matters – help us make sure the Bolton Irish Association works for everyone.
A New Home for The Shamrock Academy of Irish Dance
We are delighted to share the news that The Shamrock Academy of Irish Dance will be officially opening their brand-new dance studio this month!
The official opening will take place on Saturday, 22nd March, and we are proud to have Vice Consul-General Deirdre O’Flaherty from the Irish Consulate for the North of England join us to cut the ribbon and help us mark this very special occasion. We will also be joined by Councillor Karen Hon (Great Lever Ward) and Martin & Annette Logan, hosts of the “Out & About in Manchester” Irish Radio Show & “The Irish in the UK” TV Show!
To celebrate, the academy’s talented dancers will put on a special performance, showcasing both traditional and modern Irish dance. Guests will also be invited to tour the new studio, meet the dancers, and even have a go at a few simple steps themselves!
The Shamrock Academy is dedicated to promoting Irish culture through dance, offering classes for children aged 2-18. Their work is not only about dance – it’s about building confidence, teamwork, and pride in Irish heritage. They regularly perform at community events and compete at both national and international levels.
This is a fantastic achievement, and we couldn’t be prouder of them!
Supporting Gaelic Football in Local Schools
We are also very proud to support a brilliant initiative promoting Irish sport and culture in local schools across Bolton and Darwen.
Working alongside the GAA, our community is helping to introduce Gaelic football to local schoolchildren, keeping our sporting traditions alive and encouraging a whole new generation to get involved.
You can read more about this exciting project here:
https://stbarnabasdarwen.co.uk/news/2025-03-04-year-5-gaelic-football
Would You Be Interested in an Irish Film Screening?
We’re exploring the idea of hosting a special Irish Film Screening at Bolton Central Library later this year – and we’d love to know what you think!
Would you be interested in an afternoon or evening enjoying a classic Irish film or perhaps something more modern that celebrates Irish culture, history, or storytelling?
This would be a great chance to come together, enjoy a bit of Irish cinema, and celebrate the rich storytelling tradition we’re so proud of.
If this sounds like something you’d like to attend, please let us know. Your feedback will help us decide if this is something worth adding to our calendar!
ICCM Drop-In Sessions Back in Action
We were delighted to see members of the local Irish community accessing support and advice at the first Irish Community Care Manchester (ICCM) drop-in session, which took place on 28th February 2025 at The Little John Tavern.
These monthly drop-ins offer a great opportunity to get practical advice, guidance, and support on a wide range of issues – or simply to have a friendly chat over a cup of tea.
The sessions will continue to run on the last Friday of every month during our Elders Luncheon Club, so if you missed the first one, there’s plenty more chances to drop by.
We’re so pleased to have ICCM back with us, and we encourage anyone who could benefit from their support to come along.
Stay Involved
Whether you’re joining us for St Patrick’s Day, sharing your views in the survey, or supporting one of these fantastic community initiatives, there’s something for everyone to be part of this March.
Together, we’re keeping Irish culture, tradition, and community spirit strong here in Bolton.
Sláinte agus sonas,
The Bolton Irish Association Team