Ty Galvin was elected unanimously as Chair at the first annual general meeting held on November 23^rd. Ty, who is originally from Cork City, has lived in Brighton since the early 70s and was once an electrician on the Palace Pier.

Bridget Whelan is secretary and editor of the free email newsletter sent to anyone who wants to keep in touch with County Brighton activities. Garvan Hickey was elected treasurer.

Game on!

Following the fantastic performance of the Irish cricket team – and their fans - in the Caribbean you have a chance to repeat this – but in the more genteel surroundings of Hove actually.

The Blarney Army are coming to town and you can be there. The County Brighton Irish Society, (CBIS) have booked an exclusive marquee for the Sussex v Ireland match on May 28^th, Bank Holiday Monday.

Tickets are £25 each – and for that you’ll get into the County Ground, access to the marquee, a two course buffet and our own private, cash bar. There’ll be barrels of Guinness, bottles of Magners, wines and whiskies of the best etc. – and opportunities for all kinds of shenanigans.

We’ll have our own House Band, ‘An Poitin Stil’, playing – we’re also hoping to have a local Irish Dance group and we can guarantee plenty of craic. It will not be your normal Corporate Hospitality event – we can assure you of that, the only suits you’re likely to see are Leprechaun ones.

It’s going to be a massive day – and tickets are now on sale, by post only, from the Marketing Department at Sussex CCC.

We anticipate we’ll sell out so if you’re keen to go send the attached Order Form to the cricket club ASAP.

Any questions, please contact Garvan on 07802 641315 - or another committee member – or call CBIS on 07949 949954.

It will be a great day – we’ll see you there,

Garvan

County Brighton Cricket Deal Form.doc

Time: 2:30pm - Venue: Hove Bowling Club [Map]

Irish Afternoon in aid of the Martlets Hospice.  Tickets £8 buffet & music by Shamrock Disco.

From Midday at The Lectern, Pelham Terrace, Brighton [MAP]

Celebrate St Patrick’s Day with County Brighton.

The best in sport…
The best in music…
and the very best company

Happy Hour 12-1 p.m - £2 Guinness and all day drinks promotions

Live Six Nations Rugby:
All games live starting with Italy v Ireland at 1.30 P.M

Live All Ireland Club Finals:
Hurling and Gaelic Football finals from 1.35 P.M

5pm-8.30pm: Traditional Irish Music Session
Everybody welcome to join in!

9pm ’til late: Live Irish Band - “Missing the Ferry”

Further Information: 07949949954
Contact The Lectern: 01273 685 258

Time: 7:30pm - Where: Clarion Gatwick Hotel, Langley Drive, Crawley [map]

In the presence of representatives from the Irish Embassy and the Federation of Irish Societies, a display from the Mullins School of Dancing will feature during the night. A dance follows the dinner.

Tickets cost just £30 and we’d like to make up a County Brighton table If you want to come just contact us & we’ll be in touch - the craic will be mighty! The Crawley Society have given County Brighton every support and we know they throw a good party.

When: 9pm - Where: The Geese.., 16 Southover Street, Brighton  [map]

Hear the authentic sound of the tin whistle, fiddle and bodhran from County Brighton’s very own house band.  Great Music & Good Company.  Bring you own instruments if you’re a musician - you’ll be among friends.

British and Irish politicians have made visits to Irish communities in London, Manchester and Leeds over the past few months to conduct research that will result in a high level report on the Irish in Britain.

The report will focus on:

• the elderly Irish, especially those who emigrated in the post-war years
• health
• culture
• education
• returning emigrants

But of course the Irish Diaspora extends a lot further than just that of Manchester, Leeds and London and through The Irish Post you can voice your opinions on the important issues facing the Irish community in Britain.

You can e-mail: irishpost@irishpost.co.uk or write to

The Irish Post,
Cambridge House,
Cambridge Grove,
Hammersmith,
London, W6 0LE.

Have your say and we wouldn’t be offended if you mentioned the importance of organisations like County Brighton…

A new type of Guinness will go on trial in 142 pubs across the country; mainly O’Neill’s.

It’s red and it’s sweet we’re told and it’s going to be test marketed for between 3 and 9 months before a decision is made whether to launch it officially in the UK.

This is not the same as ‘new’ Guinness that is currently being tried out in Ireland.  That one is called a mid strength version and is a lot less alcoholic than your usual paint of plain.

Has anyone tried new Guinness in any of these versions?  Let us know.

If you’re name is Caitlin, become a piece of art!

Caitlin Griffiths is an artist and curator based in the West Midlands. She is looking for other women named Caitlin for her project ‘The Book of Caitlin’. Caitlins are asked to submit (via email) a photograph of themselves, their full name and a one word description of who they are. For example Caitlin Griffiths ‘Artist’.

Caitlin comments:

‘The Book of Caitlin’ is about two things - names we are given and names we give ourselves. I will be creating a book where every page contains a ‘Caitlin’ and the name is no longer a unique factor in defining who we are. The book will instead be ordered using the one word description from each women. Effectively we are naming ourselves…

Anyone interested in becoming part of this project should contact the artist at thecaitlingriffiths@hotmail.com