Teacher commemorated in Irish celebrations

Manchester Music Service teacher Gerry Smith, who died recently from cancer, will have two days of St. Patrick's Day celebrations by Manchester schoolchildren dedicated to her.

Around 750 primary school children from 25 Manchester schools will be taking part in music, song and dance to celebrate St Patrick's Day at Manchester Town Hall on Thursday 13 and Friday 14 March.

In both days, organised by Manchester Music Service, pupils will take part in workshop sessions in the morning, based on traditional Irish culture.

In the afternoon all pupils will take part in a fleadh starting at 1.25pm, where the young musicians and dancers will demonstrate their new skills.

Pupils will learn to play traditional Irish instruments including the bodhran, fiddle and tin whistle, learn some Irish dance steps and songs, as well as listening to some traditional Irish stories or learning about Celtic art.

Councillor Sheila Newman, Manchester City Council's Executive Member for Children's Service, said: "Last year's event for schools on St. Patrick's Day was very popular with pupils. It takes pupils outside the classroom for an enjoyable learning experience that gives them a chance to find out about and enjoy some of the livelier creative aspects of Irish culture. Manchester as a city owes a great deal to Irish people who came here to make new lives. It is also an occasion for reflection on the life of Gerry Smith, a teacher who was so influential in so many young lives."

Gerry, whose family came from Ireland, was 48 and lived in Bowdon. She continued to work from home co-ordinating music provision to schools for Manchester Music Service until a week before she died. Both days of the St. Patrick's Day celebrations will be dedicated to the memory of Gerry, who first initiated the project with Councillor Nigel Murphy.

Last October, former pupils of Gerry's organised a concert at St. Paul's RC High School, Newall Green, to celebrate her life.

Councillor Murphy said: "Gerry was an inspiration to everyone who met her. The Irish Festival school music days would never have taken place without her commitment and determination to make it happen. Over the last few years Gerry has managed to share her passion for Irish culture with thousands of Manchester children, so it is fitting that this years festivities are being dedicated to her."

The schools taking part in the St. Patrick's day events include: St. Patrick's RC, St. Elizabeth's, Ringway, SS John Fisher/Thomas More Catholic, Bishop Bilsborrow Memorial RC, St. Augustine's RC, Mount Carmel RC, New Moston, Crosslee Community, St. John Bosco's, St Wilfrid's CE (Northenden), St. Brigid's RC, Saviour, Crumpsall Lane, Old Hall Drive, St. Edward's, St. James CE (Gorton), St. Edmund's RC, Christ The King RC, Benchill, St. Francis RC, St. Catherine's, St. Mary's RC (Levenshulme), Birchfields, and the The Buzz.

The days have been funded by Manchester Irish Education Group, the Irish Youth Foundation and Manchester Music Service as part of this year's Manchester Irish Festival. After the 2006 events these groups were awarded the Irish Youth Foundation innovation award, which was presented at the Irish Embassy in London by the ambassador, David Cooney.

Media contacts:

Jane Lemon, tel 0161 234 3179, Dave Hulme, 0161-234-4610