Irish World Heritage Centre

Welcome to the Irish World Heritage Centre

The Irish World heritage Centre has been in operation since 1984 and was officially opened by Peter Barry, then Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the 2nd November 1986.

The Irish World Heritage Centre is the main venue for the Irish community of Manchester to socialise in a welcoming and friendly environment and pursue Irish cultural activities and celebrate the rich heritage of Ireland.

Over the centuries Irish people who emigrated have contributed to world progress. The Irish World Heritage Centre is dedicated to the achievements of those men and women, largely forgotten.

It is a celebration of their success, a recognition of their achievements and of the positive contribution they made in the countries which they settled and will be a continuity of Ireland's story embracing the Irish global family of over 70 million.

This web site offers you a virtual insight into the activities and cultural programme of the Irish World Heritage centre and the plans for its future development which will include an Irish Diaspora Museum, unique visitor facilities, sport complex and accommodation.

Our Supporters

I am please to send greetings from Ireland to all visitors to the web site of the Irish World Heritage Centre in Manchester.

The Centre has been a wonderful resource for the Irish Community in the Greater Manchester area since it opened in 1986.

It provides an ideal setting for the pursuit of Irish cultural activities and is a true compliment to the hard work of everyone involved, staff and volunteers alike.

I am particularly impressed by the expansion plans for the Centre and look forward to seeing them come to fruition.

This web site will be a valuable tool for all online visitors and I would urge you to take the time to explore it thoroughly. I am sure it will inspire you to visit the Centre itself.

All the best

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern TD