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Thousands expected for summer festivals  By
Elaine Sheridan & Trevor O’Sullivan
Thousands of Irish people in Britain are set to enjoy a summer of mirth
and merriment with a range of festivals kicking-off next weekend in the
north and south of England.
Over the weekend of Saturday, June 30 two of the biggest and best Irish
events will take place in London and Halifax.
And from Gaelic games and ceili dancing to homemade Irish food and traditional
music there promises to be something for everyone to enjoy.
Halifax Irish Festival is the biggest of its kind in the north of England
and takes place from Thursday, June 28 to Sunday, July 1.
The four-day cultural extravaganza is now in its 16th year and promises
to be the best yet with a wide range of activities for all ages to enjoy.
Live entertainment will be provided by various artists over the weekend.
Event organiser Peter Timmons said: “We’re very excited this
year with the new touches we’ve added. The new format is much better
and we’re sure the people will agree.
“I’m really looking forward to the céilí revival
night which is something we’d love to get off the ground.
“We’ve definitely upped a gear with the entertainment this
year and I’ve no doubt that it will be well received. The signs
are good so far and the feedback is all very positive.
“It should make for a brilliant festival in all.”
And the Southwark Irish Festival also returns this year as one of the
highlights of the London-Irish summer celebrations.
The event will take place at Peckham Rye Park from Friday, June 29 to
Sunday, July 1.
The festival is in its 19th year and is the largest Irish summer festival
in the south and one of the most successful Irish get-togethers in the
county.
Festival organiser Anne Benn attributes the continued success to the superlative
activities they manage to acquire year after year.
She said: “We get upwards of 5,000 people attending the festival.
We have got a lot of Irish homemade food stalls coming this year from
places like Westmeath, Mayo and Cork. The Gaelic football match which
takes place on the Saturday is one of the highlights of the weekend.
“Other events involve two traditional Irish musicians visiting from
the west of Ireland and we have more London county associations than we
have had previously.
“There are fun runs for the children and other fun events like carry
the barrel and the still enormously popular tug-of-war.”
Anne says nobody ever leaves the festival dissatisfied.
And the festival organisers go to great lengths to provide visitors with
essential facilities such as free parking, free attendance and unrivalled
disabled access.
She said demand for this year’s festivities had surpassed the organisers’
expectations.
She said: “There are coaches coming for Peterborough, Derby and
buses from Luton and other regions throughout the country. The Crawley
Irish Festival will support us as well.
“People even fly over from Ireland to attend. I know of people who
are flying over especially and staying locally. It’s tremendous
the effort people like that make to attend and it embodies the success
of the festival.”
For further details on Southwark Irish Festival telephone Ben Cahill
on 07958 903410. For further details on Halifax Irish Festival contact
Peter Timmons on 01422 381055.
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