Hurling and Gaelic games in Britain took a major boost yesterday when London raised the inaugral Nicky Rackard Cup at Croke Park, the home of Gealic Games. London beat Louth 5-08 to 1-05 to win the title.
London went into the final as favourites, not a term often attributed to the Exiles and came out victors in a match that seemed to take everyone by surprise. Goals galore were the order of the day for London setting the standard with some great strikes and Louth were unable to regain a foothold - with five goals and eight points, London comfortably won by 15 points.
London GAA hope to receive a boost from the coverage of the Nicky Rackard Cup and GAA clubs in London will be looking to recruit. If you are interested in playing you should contact the London GAA.
The Celtic and Irish Cultural Society would like to congratulate the London Hurling and London County GAA board for accepting our invitation to attend the 10th Annual Crawley Irish Festival and show off London’s first silverwear. In addition, we would like you all to know that Men’s Hurling and Women’s and Men’s Gaelic Football will be played out at the LFN Group GAA Arena.
[London GAA]
The Celtic and Irish Cultural Society has finalised details of the second Crawley Fleadh, a week of activities that explores Irish music, comedy, history, art and culture.
The Fleadh begins Saturday 20 August and concludes with the 10th Crawley Irish Festival on Sunday 28 August. Funding for Fleadh events have been made available from the Irish Government and local corporate sponsors with any additional revenue donated to Crawley’s Saint Catherine’s Hospice and local schools.
The Fleadh begins on Saturday with a Celtic Art Workshop at the Friary Hall aimed at young artists at the heart of Crawley’s town centre. A Monday evening Ceili at the Emerald Club with live entertainment will give everyone the opportunity to get involved with some traditional set dancing. The Rat and Parrot will host some of the best Irish Comedy on Wednesday evening with award winning TV and Fringe regulars Kevin Hayes, Richard Holmes and Ian Hunter providing their unique mix of stand-up comedy.
The Fleadh is as much about cultural awareness as entertainment so a number of events will introduce visitors to Irish culture through history, cookery and language. Irish history will be hosted at Pizza Express on Tuesday evening with an open discussion on the 1840s Irish Famine aimed at students and people with an interest in history. Thursday evening will see an introduction to the Irish Gaelic language held at Crawley Leisure Centre. Irish has become more popular over the last several decades and this class will introduce the basics of the language. On Friday, Saint Wilfrid’s School will host an Irish cookery evening with acclaimed London chef Stephen Scuffel that will provide an Irish takeaway with the difference that will allow visitors a hands-on chance to cook up Ireland’s culinary secrets.
The Fleadh concludes on Sunday with the largest Crawley Irish Festival ever held with more music, sport and dance than ever before.
The Celtic and Irish Cultural Society hope that the Fleadh and the Festival are the most successful ever and wish that everyone throughout the southeast becomes a part of these exciting community events.
[Crawley Fleadh 2005]
