10 July 2009

Newry’s ‘Party on Down’ Concert will be held at Pairc Esler on Sunday 30th August 2009 with the Motto "A place where everyone is welcome –Family fun for all!"

Celebrating communities is a priority within the Southern Cluster Partnerships ‘Beyond Tolerance’ strategy funded by Peace III through the European Regional Development fund. This first event hosted by the Lead Partner Newry and Mourne District Council will be a family fun event, where everyone will be welcome, to join in the ‘Party On Down’ Concert @ Pairc Esler, which is to take place on Sunday 30th August 2009.

Newry & Mourne District Council, in association with co-organisers Newry City Centre Management and Michael Magill Entertainment were delighted to announce a new innovative event with an array of prestigious artists that will embrace the people of the Southern Cluster area (including Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Councils) to witness a truly memorable day packed with a dazzling array of entertainment for a true celebration of local communities.

The Concert promises to be the most speculator and biggest event ever staged in the City, hosting headline acts such as Britain’s Got Talent Escala, X Factors Eoghan Quigg, Brian Kennedy, The Saw Doctors and our very own Housem8s. Comperes for the evening are Five FM presenters Malachi Cush and Paul McKenna.

Tickets for the event go on sale Friday 10th July at the following outlets: Carlin Records, Sean Hollywood Arts Centre, Warrenpoint Town Hall, Kilkeel Sports Centre, Bumpers Day to Day – Burren, Tuck Shop – Warrenpoint, Spar - Bessbrook and other outlets. Tickets are priced £12.00 / £15.00 / £40.00 – Family Ticket – gates opening at 4.30pm.

Sincere note of thanks was recorded to main funding partner PEACE III Partnership and to the Special EU Programmes Body, the managing authority for the European Union’s Peace III Programme for the significant funding. Without their contribution this event would not be a major success and set the standard at which it is today. Peace III is a distinctive European Regional Development Fund aimed at reinforcing progress towards a peaceful society whilst promoting reconciliation.

Event organisers welcomed the opportunity to work closely with Mr Kevin Bell, Chairman of Down GAA County Board and Mr Noel Haughey, Chairman of Newry Shamrocks GAC on this exciting venture and for the use of such a speculator venue.

The event organisers are looking forward to engaging the whole community with a fabulous array of talent and are hopeful that many thousands of people will attend the open-air concert.

Speaking at the Launch Mayor John Feehan said, ‘I would particularly like to thank our main funding body Peace III Partnership for their contribution to this event, for without their input this event simply wouldn’t happen. I would also like to encourage our communities to come along on the day and celebrate peace together. Our district is developing at a very dramatic rate, the numbers of ethnic minority groups is increasing daily and we want to display our areas commitment to support cultural diversity, and what better way to do this than at a family event in the magnificent Pairc Esler Stadium’.

Clerk & Chief Executive, Mr Thomas McCall said, ‘We in Newry & Mourne are renowned for organise worldwide festivals and events and it is funding bodies like that of Peace III Partnership that has been one of the contributing factors to Newry & Mourne’s success in recent years. I hope that we can continue to build on this achievement. The organisers have planned a great action packed family fun evening with non-stop entertainment.... and it is believed a few special surprises will also be in store.’

Joint Chairs of the Peace III Southern Cluster Partnership Cllr Charlie Casey and Dr James McCammick said, “The Partnership through its Celebrating Communities priority is delivering a series of events across the cluster over the next 18 months. It is befitting that the first of these events should be hosted in the Lead Council area of Newry and Mourne. We would encourage everyone to come along and participate in this exciting event which has something to offer the whole family.”

Mr Jack Murphy, Chairman of Newry City Centre Management, spoke enthusiastically about the up and coming event. “Newry City Centre Management is delighted to be once again to be playing a part in co-organising such a prestigious concert with lead partner Newry & Mourne District Council, and the Southern Cluster Peace III Partnership. The line-up planned for the event is evidence that Newry is now firmly on the map in terms of hosting major artists at the Pairc Esler Stadium which is a venue second to none. Newry City Centre Management believe that the inevitable success of the day will act as a precursor for attracting additional interest in the future, both from promoters and top musicians and congratulated Michael Magill Entertainments for securing such a prestigious line up of celebrities.”