The West London Irish Society was founded in 1953, with the aim of bringing people together and fostering social interaction. It actively supports individuals, organisations and projects designed to improve the lives of people living within the West London Irish Community.
The Society takes an active role in fund raising for many local charities. We have supported and made sizeable donations to many good causes, including amongst many others, the homeless, the Meadow House Hospice, the Harlington Hospice, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Cancer Research, the Lourdes Fund, the Motor Neurone Association, the Tiny Smiles Appeal, the Hillingdon Hospital Neonatal Unit equipment appeal, the Royal Marsden Cancer Campaign and the Cardiology Unit at Hammersmith Hospital.
The Society's committee consists of a small group of dedicated people, who work extremely hard to keep the Society afloat and to organise functions.
The Society's Annual Dinner Dance in 2009 took place at the Renaissance Hotel at Heathrow Airport, on Saturday, 5th December, 2008. Honoured guests included John McDonnell, M.P. for Hayes and Harlington since 1997, and his wife, Cynthia Pinto and John and Catherine O'Sullivan of the Allied Irish Bank. A cheque for £11,000 was handed over to British Heart Foundation, represented by Ian and Helen Stewart. A dance display was given by the Murchu Duigin School of Irish Dancing, with music provided by Impact. Some photographs are available on the Gallery page.
Previous events have seen Niall Toibin as guest speaker in 2007, when £12,000 was raised for Alzheimer's Concern and Ken Livingstone as guest speaker in 2008, when £12,500 was raised for the Royal Marsden Cancer Appeal. Some photographs are available in the archive here for 2007 and here for 2008.
The Society's next event is its Annual Dinner Dance, which will take place at the Renaissance Heathrow Hotel on Saturday, 4th December 2009. See the Events page for more details.