Where: Gloucester Irish Club, Horton Road, Gloucester GL1 3QA

When: Saturday, March 14,

Gloucester Irish Club is holding a St Patrick's Day Ball on Saturday, March 14, and is welcoming everyone to come along and celebrate and help its fundraising for the club and the community.

A huge Irish welcome to all is promised, with an evening of celebration and a three-course dinner and amazing live music from The Chip Shop Boys.

Committee member Brenda Mulligan-Poynton said: "As the only remaining Irish club/centre in the Midlands and South Wales region, our duty is to provide a range of support, advice and information to meet the welfare and cultural needs of the Irish community in this part of the country.

"Our motto 'Friendship & Hospitality' runs through the veins of the club. Our main objective is to be a centre for both our established Irish residents, second generation as well as the local ethnic and community groups. We place our culture, heritage and Irish traditions at the heart of all we do."

As well as hosting Irish language classes, traditional music lessons and adult set dancing, the club is home to the Sean Eireann Academy of Irish Dance and the Primal Amateur Boxing Academy which works with adults and young people.

Brenda added: "From small seeds all these activities are steadily growing as we are actively engaging with local schools and community groups, to build a stronger community around the club supporting activities to benefit mental health and a sense of belonging.

"We have a programme for the 'Young at Heart' which currently is our weekly Bingo sessions on Sunday evenings and then, following the refurbishment of our kitchen area, we wish to provide Sunday lunches and tea dances for our senior members. We have further plans to develop a dementia group and a playgroup too.

"To improve our club, we are actively fundraising to be able to improve accessibility to all with a new lift access, and upgrade toilets and disabled facilities for all, upgrade the skittles alley and entertainment areas. All upgrades are being done to provide a more comfortable and safer environment, and allow us to further outreach to all ages and needs of the wider community."

The St Patrick's Day Ball is being sponsored by McGurk and Langley Wellington LLP Solicitiors.

Tickets are £45 each and can be purchased at the club bar or are available at the club's Open Day this Sunday (February 16) from 12-4pm. Limited numbers.