IRISH eyes will be smiling this week when Redditch Irish Society's annual cultural festival kicks off at the Kingfisher Centre on Saturday, writes Melina Cannon.

The week-long festival, which always begins on the last Saturday in April, will be opened at 1pm with an Irish dancing display performed by youngsters and Bob Brolly and his radio show.

Bob Brolly and his show band will also be performing at St Benedict's Social Club, Batchley, in the evening following a demonstration by the society's home-grown music students at 8pm.

On Sunday, there will be a free music session led by Pat Molloy, Seamus and Teresa Moran, Joe Leheeney, Pete Roberts and fellow artists from 8pm, again at the Rowan Road venue.

Society chairman Liam Kirwan said: "On Tuesday night there will be the first finals of the 25 card drive and on Wednesday, May 2, the second Gaelic games, entry to which will be free.

"There will be set and ceilidh dancing to the strains of the Haymakers band on Thursday, May 3, and admission to this costs £3.

"All three events take place at St Benedict's."

The festival culminates on Friday, May 4, with a Big Show Night at Arrow Valley Social Club, Matchborough Way, where there will be a feast of Irish dancing, singing and comedy for bona fide members and guests.

This will be followed by the end of festival dance at St Benedict's Social Club on Saturday, May 5.

Redditch Irish Society was founded in June 1997 after a successful festival in April that year.

The society now runs set dancing classes on Thursdays and music classes on Wednesdays.