2020 Festival committee members

Tom joined a group of like-minded people in 2002 to explore the idea of putting on a small, public one-day event celebrating Irishness in Coatbridge, around St. Patrick’s day.  This event became the first St. Patrick’s Day Festival in Scotland in 2003.  Tom is currently the Festival Chairman and has served at every festival since its inception; he is second-generation Irish and has many family members in Dublin.

Janice joined the committee in 2004 and as the Festival Secretary, is delighted to play such an active role in promoting Irish culture, heritage and identity. She can also be found working in the Festival Shop each year. Janice is the daughter of the late James Nolan who moved to Coatbridge from Dublin in the 'fifties.

Agnes briefly joined the committee in 2004 before pressure of work caused her to stand down. She subsequently rejoined and currently serves as Festival Treasurer. Even when not on the committee, Agnes never left the Festival, volunteering for many duties and spending her spring holidays working in the Festival Shop.

Gordon joined the committee after the first festival in 2003. He brought enthusiasm and skill to the group, organising the first dinner dance, growing the own-brand festival merchandising and in securing sponsorship from local businesses, all of which helps keep the festival alive. He regularly attends every event during the festival period.

A committee member since 2007, Anne has been involved with the Festival as Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann representative since 2005, organising traditional Irish music for festival events. Born in Airdrie, Anne is second-generation Irish with roots in Dundalk, Co Louth and Warrenpoint, Co Down.  She continues to support the Comhaltas connection to the festival and particularly specialises in organising The Youth Stage and family events on festival day. 

Kevin O’Hanlon was a police officer in Coatbridge for 30 years, retiring from the Police in 2012. He has been involved with the Festival since its inception, initially as the liaison officer between the Festival Committee and Strathclyde Police and then as a member of the committee since 2008. Kevin’s main areas of responsibility are, the preparation of the programme, archiving, liaising with official agencies, advertisers and the press. Kevin grew up in Carfin and is third-generation Irish with his roots in Counties Kilkenny and Armagh.

Michael, who hails  from Coatbridge has been an active member of the committee since 2005.  His family have links with Granard, Co Longford, Kilmacrennan, Co Donegal and Annaclone, Co Down.