Beijing, China (February 25, 2009) /ChinaNewswire.com/ — The Irish Ball, to be held on March 14 at the Kerry Centre Hotel, is a highlight of Beijing's social calendar. The annual black-tie occasion, this year themed "A Touch of Green," is also a great night of the best of Irish culture, food and culture in China. The Ball, which begins with a drinks reception at 7pm at the Kerry Centre Hotel, also marks St Patrick's Day, the national day of Ireland and the Irish Diaspora around the world.

Organised by the Irish Network China, a Beijing-based voluntary organisation linking Chinese and Irish friends and businesspeople, the Ball will also raise funds for Jinde Charities, a Hebei-based Chinese NGO which provides funding for disadvantaged school children and raises awareness of Aids sufferers in China.

Those lucky enough to get tickets for the event will be entertained by Ultrasound, a band flying in from Dublin to serve up a feast of rock and pop from Ireland, the land of legends like U2, Van Morrison and Enya. During the evening there will also be local Riverdance-style Irish dancing and a free flow of stout and whiskey at the all-night bar.

"The Irish Ball was one of the first expatriate balls in Beijing and it gets better every year," says Catherine Toolan, chairperson of the Irish Network China. "It's amazing how many people in Beijing know about St Patrick's Day. The Irish Ball is the best place to be Irish in Beijing!"

Tickets are priced RMB998. Get your's now as this is always a sell-out event. See www.irishnetworkchina.com for more details and email [email protected] to book tickets.

Irish Businesspeople Turn Teachers for the Community:
Keen to be part of the local Beijing community, the Irish Network China has adopted an English teaching programme: Irish executives and their friends volunteer a few hours every Saturday teaching English to Chinese seniors and unemployed people in Beijing's Chaoyang District. Students can show up every Saturday 10 – 12.30 and 14.00 to 17.00. Classes are free and always well attended – typically by 70 to 80 students – by a mix of age groups. "Our most senior student is 85 years old and our youngest is 10, but all of them share the same enthusiasm to learn English," explains Mark Godfrey, community relations officer of the Irish Network China.

Anyone who'd like to volunteer to teach can email [email protected]

CONTACT INFORMATION

• Mark Godfrey
  Irish Network China
  Mobile: 13910137447
  Email: [email protected]