THIS week it feels as though the Brighton Irish Society has come of age.

As any reader who has helped to set up a voluntary society knows, it’s not all fun.

Meetings – although vital – are often a chore, and finding potential members can be tedious.

But now we know all the hard work has been worthwhile. We are very proud to sponsor The M Boat, a theatre performance for the Brighton Festival Fringe.

We are an open, friendly organisation, and one of our main aims is to celebrate Irish culture in all its forms.

The M Boat is a great example of this culture and runs until Saturday, May 21, at The Eagle in Gloucester Road, Brighton.

It’s set on a River Shannon barge transporting Guinness across Ireland in the 1950s.

The author is Eddie Alford, a former drama teacher, who kickstarted his playwrighting career with an MA in the subject from the University of Sussex.

Ty Galvin, who is chairman of the Brighton Irish Society, will be onhand to chat before and after performances.

We are a small group, but we are growing.

You can visit our website at www.brightonirish.co.uk.

Bridget Whelan, secretary, Brighton Irish Society, Ditchling Road, Brighton