Mr. Gary Dunne:

It is an interesting question and one I could talk about for hours. It depends on the event. For example, we had the Cork songwriter, Mick Flannery, playing in the centre two weeks ago. The event was sold out. Four hundred people attended as part of the Culture Ireland 60th anniversary concert series which David mentioned. One of our new volunteers carried out a survey at the desk. He asked where people had heard about the gig and whether they were Irish or non-Irish for market research purposes. Up to 40% of the crowd for that gig were non-Irish.
We had the famous Bothy Band piper, Paddy Keenan, in the week after and 77% of the audience were Irish. That is a mix of Irish-born people and people who identify as Irish. Even within the Irish language it depends on the level. In the beginners class 70% of those who attend are Irish. It is a different split at intermediate level and nearly 100% of those in the advanced class are Irish.
In terms of the people who come to our events, it depends on the events. I could talk about them all day. In terms of our motivation, we are trying to do at least two things at the same time. First, we offer a taste of home and an opportunity to celebrate their roots and identity to Irish people in London. Second, we are funded by bodies such as Culture Ireland, whose primary aim is to promote Irish arts on the international market and we are building relationships with TimeOut, The Guardianand the Evening Standardto bring the very best of Irish programming to London audiences. That echoes David’s reference to partnership events with the South Bank and Goldsmiths where we are in place almost as consultants and bring the best of Irish to their markets.