At the Hennigan O’Loughlin Feis, in Essex (14th-15th Jan), Irish dancers from the Crawley and Horsham based Mullin’s School of Irish Dancing were placed higher than any other dance school from Sussex.

In addition to the overall result, Bella Zanin took fifth place in the Under 9s Open Championship and Alicia Harris took ninth place in the Under 14s Open Championship.

The Mullins School regularly performs at the Crawley Irish Festival and at many of our events. She hosts a number of classes for children and adults. The Mullins Website gives more details.

Cathie Ryan has received an accolade from liveireland.com for her album “The Farthest Wave”. Barry received the Best Vocal Album of the Year “livie”.

LiveIreland.com is one of the best sources of traditional and themed music on the internet - providing two online radio stations, direct from Dublin, to the global community.

In awarding the accolade, the internet radio station commented:

“Cathie Ryan’s, The Farthest Wave may be the best vocal, traditional album we have EVER heard, never mind just this year. She is, beyond any debate, the pre-eminent Irish singer and song writer of her time. This album is so carefully thought out and so passionately performed, we continue to listen over and over and over again. Cathie is fearless. She cut to deep inside her heart, and shared all with the listener. This voice. God gave her the tools. She has built the mansion. A wonder. If you don’t have this album, your collection is not really a collection.”

Cathie Ryan will be performing at the Chequer Mead Theatre on 17 January. For more information or purchase tickets on 01342 302000.

The Clarion Hotel, Gatwick hosts this year’s Dinner Dance giving the local Irish and wider community a chance to have a sit-down meal, enjoy some entertainment and dance late into the night. Organised in association with the Celtic and Irish Cultural Society - all proceeds go to the Crawley Irish Festival and nominated charities.

The Dinner includes the announcement of Crawley-Irishperson of the Year. With music from Pat Nugent and Mustang and featuring dance displays from the O’Brien School of Irish Dancing the annual dinner dance has become a welcome addition to the local calendar.

Tickets for the event are available from John Nolan on 07956 317 492