Learn Europe’s Oldest Language

Irish Gaelic is Ireland’s official language and will be an official language of the European Union from 2007. This event provides everyone an opportunity to get to know it a little more and get to know some everyday phrases. Refreshments will be provided at this introductory class.

The class is taught by Marie Aine Dhrainne who teaches at schools throughout London. The class is aimed at beginners to the Irish language and experienced Gaelic speakers are encouraged to participate and give assistance.

Irish Gaelic is spoken principally in small rural communities known as the Gaeltacht. Until the 1850s it was spoken by the vast majority of Ireland’s population, today it is spoken by a small collection of communities as a first language but taught extensively in Irish schools.

Irish Language Classes will run throughout the year in Crawley so you will have the opportunity to learn even more.

Irish Stand-Up Comedy Night

ERIC LALOR ¦ BRENDAN DEMPSEY ¦ TARA FLYNN

Three of Ireland’s best emerging comedians will decend on Crawley - for one night only - to bring a bit of Craic to High Street venue BAR MED. The Fleadh organisers have lined up three of Ireland’s hottest properties. As well as being fine comedians, their sidelines include movie direction (Brendan Dempsey is an award-winning director), an acclaimed voice artiste (Tara Flynn is the “No New Messages” voice of O2 Ireland plus an Irish Rab C Nesbitt (Eric Lalor - according to comedy site, Chortle).

Come on down to BAR MED to enjoy a great night of comedy and paint the town green with the Irish in Crawley.

Tickets are available in advance from BAR MED or on the door

About the Artists

ERIC LALOR: Eric Lalor was walking through Ballymun shopping centre in Dec 2004 when he saw a poster looking for any wannabe stand-up comedians who fancied doing comedy workshops. He went along to an audition, got picked, did a documentary called Joy in the Hood with Des Bishop and now does stand-up comedy regularly all over the country! He recently bought a new shed for his back garden and it’s nice. In addition to the Fleadh, this year saw him perform at the Bud Light Comedy Revue in Dublin’s Iveagh Gardens, Oxegen Music festival as well as the Edinburgh Fringe.

“Excellent, bellyachingingly funny, fast moving..” - Kilkenny People

“Flawless…it’s like Rab C got Irish, got eloquent, but stayed scum” - Chortle UK

BRENDAN DEMPSEY: Brendan began 2005 at the end of record breaking five month run on the West End in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Two years on and now based in London. He continues to perform his stand up from The Comedy Store London to the Nant-y-Finn Motel, Llandisillio. He’s been invited to comedy festivals in Montreal, Melbourneand his first Tomatoes Tonatoes Tomatoes festival in Finland. An award-winning director for his first short film Barking Mad, whether as a stand up or on film from Father Ted to Waking Ned, audiences worldwide have enjoyed Brendan’s work.

“Funny as Fook … bordering on amazing … you’ll laugh non-stop for over an hour … razor sharp wit, intelligent and crude insights, and relaxed quick delivery” - beat - MELBOURNE

“Absolutely amazing … hilariously funny. The audience, are in stitches.” - HOT PRESS, DUBLIN

TARA FLYNN: Tara began her career as an actress in Dublin in 1990, working extensively in theatre, radio and children’s TV. One of Ireland’s top voice artistes, she is the ‘No new messages’ voice of the O2 mobile phone network there. In 1995, she began doing comedy as a founder member of singing trio The Nualas, and she joined the Dublin Comedy Improv in 1999. She began doing stand-up 3 years later, and has performed all over Ireland as well as at comedy festivals including the Edinburgh Fringe and Melbourne International Comedy Festival. As a panellist, she has been invited on The Panel (Channel 10, Australia and the Irish version for RTÉ with Dara Ó Briain) and The Big Bite (RTÉ), as well as many radio shows. Her radio play Ma, Pa and Dangerous to Know has recently been repeated on RTÉ1, and she has been a regular columnist for both the Evening Herald and Irish Independent.

“Gorgeous performer; richly enjoyable” Chortle UK

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“The Shadow from the West: a consideration of the role of Ireland and the Irish in English Literature”

Lecture and talk led by Paul Quinn

This lecture/talk will argue that the changeable relationship between Ireland and Britain is mirrored in the treatment of Ireland in English literature and also informed the treatment of those writers from Ireland who achieved success while writing in English.

Many Irish writers in English have occupied a difficult position; living in the shadow lands between an Irish society into which they do not appear to fit and a British world from which they are often excluded.

By an examination of a range of texts and the biographies of a range of authors, the paper will demonstrate how the variable relationship between the Ireland and her nearest neighbour – suspicious, hostile, mutually dependent – has impacted on English literature.

Dr. Paul Quinn is currently an Associate Tutor at the University of Sussex

Jack Navin “25″ Card Drive

The game of 25 is very popular in Ireland so we’ve included it in our publicity for the Fleadh.

For more information please contact Eugene on (01293) 402 677.

Live Music with Brogue at the Cherry Tree

Local band “Brogue” will play live traditional and Irish music at the Cherry Tree.

Come all for a few pints of the black stuff (make sure its Cola if you’re driving)! 

Classic Irish Film plus live music

The 1934 documentary “Man of Aran” will be screened prior to a question and answer session from a relative of those involved in the film. Live music follows. Refreshments are available.

Places are limited and should be booked in advance by calling Shannon on 07815 055281. This is so that we can arrange catering. Please let us know by Wednesday 7 November.

Live Music: Simon Hurdman and Tim Minogue

About the Film:

Man Of Aran (1934) is a documentary film by Robert J. Flaherty on life on the Aran Islands off the western coast of Ireland. It portrays characters who live in premodern conditions and their hardships, documenting their daily routines such as fishing off high cliffs, farming potatoes where there is little soil, and hunting for huge basking sharks to win their liver oil for lamps.

Irish Karoke Night at the White Hart

Get yourself down to The White Hart and enjoy yourself with a lively pub atmosphere and some great Irish tunes. The only difference is that they make the tunes and you sing the songs.

A great night of Irish Karaoke at a great real pub at the centre of Crawley Town Centre, right on the high street. We all know the tunes but if you can’t quite remember the words; the Karaoke will help you out!

Come on down and enjoy the fun!

Cooking the Irish Way

Corporate executive chef, Frank Coughlan, will guide guests through modern cusine with an Irish flavour during a hands on class designed to teach visitors gourmet culinary styles.

Frank Coughlan is the Corporate Executive Chef at the new Wembley Stadium and won the Champion of Irish Food Award in 2007 at the Irish Post Awards. In 2006, he headed the corporate team in charge of the hospitality cuisine at the Ryder Cup.

Spaces are limited for the this event so please reserve your space in advance by calling 07815 055281.

About Frank Coughlan

Frank Coughlan undertakes to deliver the finest of foods, whatever the audience or size of venue. The pinnacle of his culinary year is The Championships, Wimbledon and this year the Ryder cup in Ireland where he was responsible for catering for over 30,000 people throughout the event. At the end of the Ryder cup he received an award from the Irish Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, for his contribution to the promotion of Irish food.

Frank has worked and trained with some of the greatest chefs in the land: Ken Holm, Gary Rhodes, Brian Turner and Richard Shepherd – England’s first Michelin Star chef. Frank Coughlan enjoys entering competitions and he has won many Gold and Silver Medals for his signature dishes. He was a member of the Gold Medal winning team of the Culinary Olympics held in Germany in 2000.

Frank has also worked outside the traditional kitchen environment and was responsible for Compass’ main production unit which supplied food for the Café Royal, Cumberland Hotel, Eurostar and many more.

Set Dance Class with Tomas O’Dea

Thomas O Dee presents an evening of Irish dance that anyone can get involved with and have a go. Set dancing provides a fantastic opportunity to keep fit and learn some new moves! Get some Ceili experience under your belt - you’re always welcome.

The class is regularly organised at the Emerald Club by Tomas O’Dea and his club members. The event is not a one off, anyone can continue to practice and become a regular member of the class that meets weekly at the Emerald Sports and Social Club at Southgate Avenue, Crawley.

Come along, have a go, and have a lot of fun!

10th Anniversay Tour

The International smash hit Spirit of the Dance is one of the most successful shows ever to come out of Ireland and has been seen by more than thirty million people in fifteen countries worldwide.

Irish in origin and bursting with raw energy, this explosive and powerful show combines breathtaking Irish Dance with dance styles from around the world in this heart-pounding production.

Featuring highlights from the past decade, thunderous applause, standing ovations and sold out crowds at every performance Spirit of the Dance is one of the greatest dance shows ever.