One of the highlights of this years’ Tyneside Irish Festival will be a lively ball at St James’ Park in aid of north east cancer charity the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.
Sir Bobby’s widow, Lady Elsie Robson, will be one of the guests of honour at the Emerald Ball on Friday 15 October for what promises to be a sparkling evening of music and laughter.
Hosted by Cork City’s storyteller ‘Pat the Hat,’ the Emerald Ball will feature music from the Michael Muldoon Irish Show Band, Irish cabaret dancing, a four-course dinner and disco. The star auction prize is a beautiful emerald necklace donated by Richard Sinton Jewellers, which organiser Tony Corcoran hopes will help raise a substantial total for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.
Tony, director of the Tyneside Irish Festival, says: “This is a chance for the Irish community on Tyneside to celebrate and show their appreciation of what The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation has done for the region. We are also very much aware that many Irish patients also benefit from the pioneering work of our hospitals.
The Emerald Ball is just one of the events organised by the Tyneside Irish Society for its annual festival, which this year runs between 8 – 24 October. Now in its 24th year, other Tyneside Irish Festival events include visits by star performers such as the singer Frances Black, the original De Dannan and the Wildcats of Kilkenny as well as performances of a new drama ‘Fences’, by the Beg, Borrow, Steal Theatre Company.
The Tyneside Irish Festival was established in 1985 and is renowned as the UK's largest Irish Cultural Festival.
It is the perfect opportunity for audiences to extend their experience of Irish culture during the two week festival of traditional and country Irish music, drama, ceilis, talks, storytelling and poetry.
Lady Elsie says: “I’m looking forward to the Emerald Ball and I’ve no doubts it will be a wonderful evening.
“The emerald necklace donated by Richard Sinton is stunning and I hope it will create a great deal of interest in the charity auction.
“It is very good of the Tyneside Irish Society to choose to raise money for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation. My family and I very grateful for the efforts of everyone involved.”
Tickets for the Emerald Ball are priced at £40 and are available from Tourist Information, Market Street, Newcastle upon Tyne. For more information please call: 0191 2220398 or logon to www.tynesideirish.com
