Leeds Irish Centre on York Road celebrates more than five decades of gigs

The Leeds Irish Centre has been at the heart of community life on York Road since 1970. Over more than five decades it has hosted weddings, wakes, dances and sporting nights, and along the way it has become one of the city's most interesting places to catch a gig.

The centre opened in June 1970, and the Yorkshire Post marked its 50-year history with a feature that captured just how much has happened under its roof. Manager Tommy McLoughlin had by then run the venue for 45 of those 50 years, a remarkable record of dedication.

Music fans have plenty of stories to tell about the place. Oasis played the Irish Centre in August 1994, with Noel and Liam Gallagher on stage in the early days of their rise, and the gig has become part of Leeds music folklore.

Today the main room holds around 800 people, making it a valuable mid-sized space between the city's small clubs and its larger arenas. Alongside concerts, the centre continues to host sporting events and dances throughout the year, keeping its community roots firmly in place.

Its live music calendar has become increasingly impressive. In 2025 the stage welcomed acts including Chat Pile, Grace Petrie and Osees, and listings for 2026 and 2027 include names such as Aldous Harding, Sugar, Bodega and We Are Scientists, with Protomartyr booked for February 2027.

That blend of touring alternative bands and community events gives the Irish Centre a character all of its own. Few venues can boast a calendar where a wedding reception, a darts night and a cult American band might all fall in the same month.

For many Leeds families, the centre is woven into personal history, whether through celebrations, gatherings or a memorable night out. For gig-goers, it offers a roomy hall, a friendly welcome and a sense of being somewhere genuinely rooted in the city.

The Leeds Irish Centre is on York Road, a short journey east of Leeds city centre. Upcoming concerts and events are listed on the centre's website and through major ticket sellers, and popular shows are well worth booking early.