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Sun 30 August 2009 (12pm - 7pm)

The festival is a non-for-profit event that never fails to impress as it attracts up to six thousand people to Crawley for the one day event.

There were concerns earlier in the year that the festival might have to be cancelled because of the current economic climate. This lead the organisers to embarke on a major volunteering recruitment drive to help out where specialist people were contracted to do before. With the help of articles in the media and the FIS website the response was encouraging and the necessary numbers are now in place to deliver the festival.

With traditional, ballad, country and modern music played out over two live music stages as well as the Irish dance open platform competition and the famous Ceili marquee.

There's also a special children's entertainment marquee involving games, song and story with particular emphasis on Irish traditions and folklore.

In addition, sport and cultural identity are featured prominently with GAA sports, a funfair, workshops, food and craft stalls and displays, with the added attraction of a licensed beer tent and Gaelic games shown on the big TV screen.

The festival has a great musical line up....

• Shawn Cuddy and his band is headline act on the main stage sponsored by J MURPHY & SONS LTD with Kathy Durkin, Martin Ruddy, The Olive Stones and Reelstrings.
• On the Trad Stage sponsored by O'CONNOR UTILITIES LTD there is Siansa, Brogue, Flying Toads, Crannog and Dun the Vale providing the entertainment.
• In the Ceili Marquee the newly formed Celtic Crunch will have the feet tapping with encouragement from caller Tomas O'Dea
• The Open Platform dance competition always draws a great crowd to the dancing display marquee where the spectators will be treated to some special dance displays by Crawley's dance schools.

It's a great day out for all the family - so come to Southgate Playing Fields in Central Crawley (or type in RH10 6 HG in your Sat-Nav) and enjoy the craic!

Entry: Adults £5, Concessions £2, Children £1,

'All this would not be possible without the help of the many stewards and extra volunteers who answered our call earlier this year. We thank them in advance for pledging their support and making the festival possible.'

Check out www.celtic-irish.co.uk/festival for more info about the festival.

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