The Celtic and Irish Cultural Society is proud to announce its partnership with Tucan Media Limited in the production of the “London Zone - Guide to and Irish Summer 2005″

London Zone magazine’s “Guide to an Irish Summer” offers its readers a guide to great events around London of Irish interest including the Crawley Irish Festival, the Bank of Ireland Irish Race Night at Sandown Park and the Guinness Premiership Rugby Union Double Header at Twickenham Stadium. In addition, the magazine features a number of informative articles and advice on the best places to visit in the Britain and Ireland. The magazine will be distributed at venues across London and the southeast.

London Zone magazine will be launched on Thursday 21 July 2005 at the Barbara Stanley Irish Art Gallery at Putney. During the launch, the gallery will be exhibiting a collection of new works from popular Irish artist, Graham Knutel. The launch is an invitation event - please email London Zone Managing Editor: Sarah Finucane.

The Bank of Ireland Irish Race Night, July 27 2005, is part of the Sundown at Sandown evening season and includes live traditional music, Irish dance shows and modern Irish rock from U2 UK, the popular U2 tribute act. The event will also be well attended by the cream of London Irish’s rugby stars. Tickets are available from Sandown online at www.sandown.co.uk or by phone on 01372 470047 (please quote “London Zone”).

The Guinness Premiership Double Header, 3rd September 2005, kicks-off the English domestic Rugby Union season. The Twickeham hosted event features London Irish versus Leeds Tykes and Wasps versus Saracens. Tickets are available from ticketmaster on 0870 902 0000 (please quote “London Irish”).

The Celtic and Irish Cultural Society receives funds from the Irish government to support its objectives in the area and fund the Crawley Fleadh Week.

THE DION COMMITTEE, based at the Irish Embassy in London, recommended to the Irish Government that funds should be made available to fund the Crawley Fleadh and assist in the running of the Celtic and Irish Cultural Society. Dion funds support activities organised in support of the Irish community in Britain.

Partnership with the Dion Committee provides unique funding for the aspirations of Crawley’s sizeable Irish community. It will allow a greater investment in community events and ease the financial constraints that many arts based groups face. Funding for 2005 amounts to Stg£5000.

The Crawley Fleadh Week provides cultural events leading into the 10th annual Crawley Irish Festival. The 2005 event will be Crawley’s second, providing a mix of informative historical discussions, dance, music, cookery and arts. In addition, the second Crawley Fleadh will uniquely target young people and families with a Celtic Art Workshop, a concert evening and a workshop of Irish musical instruments.

Founding chairman of the Celtic and Irish Cultural Society, Bob Martin, commented:
“The Society is yet to reach its 2nd birthday yet we have received substantial support. The support of the Dion Committee adds to the support of Tourism Ireland received in June. These additional funds will assist in organising the Crawley Fleadh and in making the 10th Crawley Irish Festival the biggest and best ever”.

The Crawley Fleadh takes place between Saturday 20th August and Sunday 28th August 2005, culminating at the Crawley Irish Festival on Sunday 28th August.