The Crawley Fleadh is a celebration of traditional Irish culture taking place during the month of November in and around Crawley, West Sussex.

The Crawley Fleadh – pronounced flar - is a traditional festival celebrating Irish culture through a variety of different art forms and activities. The 2007 event is the fourth of what has become an annual celebration as part of Crawley’s cultural calendar. Organised and run by the Crawley based Celtic & Irish Cultural Society and funded by the Dion Fund - the Irish Government body that supports Irish Organisations in Britain - this year’s event features a wide range of different activities including music, comedy, dance, film, sport, story telling and cookery.

Award winning comedian Eric Lalor, who has headlined at venues and festivals in Ireland and the UK, including the Edinburgh Fringe and the Bud Light Comedy Revue in Dublin, will host an Irish stand up comedy night at Bar Med in Crawley High Street on Monday 19th November. With his fast moving style, Lalor, who has been described as ‘excellent and bellyachingly funny’, will be joined on stage by the very tall Brendan Dempsey performing his well crafted and subtle brand of intelligent, witty stand up and the very funny, fresh, sexy, animated girl next door, Tara Flynn.

The Irish Cookery Evening at Oriel High School in Maidenbower, on Tuesday 6th November, gives people the opportunity to learn the secrets of an Irish kitchen and gain some expert culinary tips for cooking the Irish way with award winning Chef Frank Coughlan, Corporate Executive Chef at the new Wembley Stadium and the 2007 Champion of Irish Food Award Winner.

The classic 1930’s documentary film Man of Aran will be screened at the Emerald Sports and Social Club in Southgate, on Friday 9th November. A dramatic depiction of the primitive lifestyles of fishermen and farmers living on the Ireland’s west coast, the film is renowned for its spectacular cinematography of land and seascapes and for its gritty realism. Live music and light refreshments will also be provided.

The fleadh also includes GAA sports and storytelling activities for local children in the schools.

Other events include live music at the Cherry Tree in Faygate from Brogue on Friday 9th November and various activities at the Emerald Sports and Social Club including a lecture on The Role of Ireland and the Irish in English Literature on Thursday 15th November, a charity 25 Card Drive on Saturday 10th November and taster sessions for anyone wanting an introduction to the Gaelic language or Set Dancing.

Further details are available from http://www.celtic-irish.co.uk/fleadh2007 or Shannon Mackey-Witton on 07815 055281