Rain and a GAA boycott contribute to a lower than usual attendance at the London Irish Festival but spirits are still high.
The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) boycotted the London Irish Festival because organisers refused to allow stands publicising the cases of the Birmingham Six and Guildford Four.
While torrential rain failed to dampen the spirit of the London Irish Festival, it did keep the numbers down from the usual one hundred thousand attendance at the festival each year over the past thirteen years. However, it was the GAA's boycott rather than the weather which most annoyed the organisers.
Festival Chairman Seamus Troy expresses his disappointment at the GAA's decision not to take part in the festival.
An estimated twenty thousand people turned up for the day-long festival comprising eighteen bands and singers alongside traditional musicians and dancers. Irish Banks, Airlines, Travel Organisations and Bord Fáilte were all represented with stands at the event.
Dancing in the rain in less than traditional attire.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 3 July 1988. The reporter is Mike Burns.
