THE spirit of the Emerald Isle will invade York Barbican on February 22 on the six-week tour of Essence Of Ireland.

This celebration of all things Irish is going back out on the road from February 20 in the lead-up to St Patrick’s Day, taking in town and cities across Britain until the end of March. The only other Yorkshire date will be at Huddersfield Town Hall on March 5.

Set against the backdrop of Ireland, England and America in the 20th century and inspired by true events, Essence Of Ireland tells a story of love, joy, happiness and heartache through music, song and dance.

This emotional, nostalgic rollercoaster ride combines original energetic, inspiring choreography with ever-popular Irish songs such as Galway Girl, Tell Me Ma, The Irish Rover, You Raise Me Up, Song For Ireland, Danny Boy, Carrickfergus, Ireland’s Call, Wild Rover, Whiskey In The Jar, Molly Malone and Dirty Old Town.

Ross Mills, director and co-writer, says: “The Irish have a cultural identity like no other and that pride in their cultural identity, heritage and traditions, manifests itself in the global phenomenon that is St Patrick’s Day.

“The six-week tour aims to really capture that authentic Irish feeling and celebrate this infectious heritage, which is now shared by all cultures worldwide. It’s so much more than just a dance show – it’s a unique combination of music, song and dance that’s locked together by a compelling storyline.”

Dubliner Ged Graham, the show’s creative director, co-writer, lead vocalist and narrator, says his Irish heritage is very special to him. “It really defines who I am,” he says, ahead of his seventh tour with the show. “As an Irishman who has spent most of my adult life away from Ireland, I wanted to create a show that would give everybody an insight into being Irish.

“We set out to tell one man’s story that would really reflect the experience of every Irish man and woman who left Ireland’s shore and, most of all, a story that the audience would relate to. This, I believe, is the reason behind the success of the show to date. Then add the fact that us Irish folk don’t need an excuse for a party. It’s a great craic.”

The Prestige Productions cast for Essence Of Ireland is made up of multinational dancers and vocalists, all with Irish roots, led by principal dancers Richard Hancock and Samantha Fisher and dance captain Lianne Stubbs and vocalist Katie Sanders. Musical arrangements are by the band’s keyboards player, Liam Holmes.

Creative director Ged Graham has been a professional musician for 25 years, including recording two albums with The Borderline Showband, whose line-up also featured Kevin Kennedy, alias Coronation Street’s Curly Watts.

Ged spent several years in The Flight Of Earls, playing traditional and contemporary Irish music and toured throughout Britain as of the Guinness house band. Latterly he has worked with Eurovision Song Contest winner Dana and he has just released his first solo country album, Standing Outside The Fire.

• Tickets for February 22’s 7.30pm show can be booked on 0844 854 2757 or online at yorkbarbican.co.uk