The 2015 and 20th Annual Crawley Irish Festival takes place on Sunday 30th August in the grounds and buildings of The Hawth Theatre, Crawley, West Sussex.

We’ve put together some of the best entertainment to enjoy. This will be our most diverse festival yet so check out what’s coming up.

It’s free entry from Noon, so get yourself down to The Hawth to enjoy the fun.

John Mc Nicholl is headlining the Dome Stage

MAIN STAGE… MC Gerry Molumby

• 12.00 NOON – Emerald Element
• 1.30 – Strawdogs
• 2.30 – Opening Ceremony with Gerry Molumby introducing special guests
• 3.00 – John McNicholl
• 4.45 – Dun the Veil
• 6.30 – MAIN STAGE CLOSES

TRADITIONAL STAGE… MC Patrick O’Connell

• 12.00 NOON – Brogue Irish Folk
• 1.15 – Nuala Dalton (flute and vocals) and Friends.
  • Ciaran Hanna on concertina, Chris McGuire on Box and Anthony McGrath on guitar
• 2.30 – Irish Mist
• 4.00 – The London Lasses and Chris O’Malley
• 5-30 – Arís with Chan Reed on fiddle and vocals and Kevin Scanlon on guitar
• 6.30 – TRADITIONAL STAGE CLOSES

The London Lasses and Chris O’Malley are topping the bill on the Traditional Stage

CEILI DANCE in the Studio

• 2.30 to 4.30 – with Tony Kearney

7 HR MUSIC SESSION in the bar area… MC Patrick O Connell

Celtic Crunch and Reel strings are central to this area where all the bands playing the other stages put in 15 to 20 minutes each adding to this 7 hour music session. This proved a real success in the past and with some added extras will add a great ‘craic’ to the day.

Storytelling with Deirdre

CHILDREN’S ENTERTAINMENT
Running till 5.00 Children are catered for in the festival play area with a mini fair, football, art workshops, songs and storytelling by Deirdre O’Byrne with particular emphasis on Irish traditions and folklore.

IrishTV
IrishTV.ie who broadcast on Sky 191 and Freesat 400 are visiting with a film crew to record this year’s festival with the show being televised the following week.

IRISH DANCE
Ceili Dancing Arena is always a focal point where newcomers are always welcome to join in. Watch out for the future members of Riverdance with dancing displays by local dance schools.

Sport on the BIG SCREEN will show the All Ireland Football Semi-Final between Mayo and Dublin.

OTHER STUFF

• In the Tennyson Room, Prof Mary Hickman gives a talk on ‘Ireland and its diaspora’
• Celebrated photographer Gerry Molumby has a fantastic display of his Irish photos from all over.
• An Siopa… don’t forget to call and stock up on your Irish Produce.
• And lots more