Irish Centre's 10th anniversary

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Hammersmith & Fulham Irish Centre - the only
Irish centre in Britain to run a weekly cultural programme all year round - is celebrating ten years in the borough next month (November).

Since it opened in 1995, the council-funded
centre in Blacks Road has played host to world famous musicians, writers and politicians - including author and former hostage Brian Keenan, Finbar Furey of legendary family band The Fureys, Shane McGowan with his
band The Popes and the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese.

As well as welcoming big-name entertainers, the
Irish Centre is home to the annual Irish Book Fair, regular ceili nights, art exhibitions and an extensive programme of Irish education courses for adults and children, where you can learn to play the fiddle, whistle and Celtic drum known as the Bodhran as well as study Gaelic and
join an Irish history or literature class.

Every Saturday the centre runs the Children's
Irish Saturday School, from which some of the rising stars of Irish
music and dancing are now emerging, and there is an annual Children's
Irish Summer School for music, dance and drama.

Rosalind Scanlon, artistic director of the
Hammersmith & Fulham Irish Centre, said: "There is nowhere quite like it
in London, or anywhere else in the country. We are the only Irish centre
in Britain that runs a cultural programme every week all year round.
Every weekend we present the very best Irish bands and musicians. It has
even been said that Hammersmith & Fulham Irish Centre is 'an Irish
national treasure in London'. There is something for everyone and you
don't have to be Irish to join in the fun."

Cllr Reg McLaughlin, cabinet member for social inclusion, said: "The
Hammersmith & Fulham Irish Centre plays a key role in supporting the
cultural and social life of the Irish community in west London as well
as providing vital educational and welfare services. Since the council
helped to set it up in 1995, the Irish Centre has become a vibrant hub
of Irish artistic and community activities."

Hammersmith & Fulham Irish Centre - key dates and facts:
6 November 1995 - The centre is opened by Ireland's then Tanaiste
(deputy prime minister) and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dick Spring.
30 November 2001 - The President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, visits the
centre.

November & December 2005 - The Irish Centre celebrates its tenth
anniversary with the publication of a book of photos from past events by
Franco Chen; two celebration concerts by musical legend Finbar Furey on
26 and 27 November and a night of Afro-Irish music and dancing at the
Celtic Caribbean Crossings event on 3 December.
More...

Independent and confidential advice for people of Irish descent is
provided at the centre by the Irish Support and Advice Service, which
can be contacted on 020 8741 0466.

October 29, 2005