THE IRISH community in Swindon needs to become more community-minded, according to one of its leading members.

People of Irish origin are the largest ethnic group in Swindon, but this has not stopped several Irish clubs and associations from folding in recent years.

Now Patsy Moloney, who organises regular Irish evenings at Swindon's Thistle Hotel, has warned that these events will also go by the wayside if more people do not turn up and support them.

"No matter what Irish organisation put on an event, it is hard work to get more than 200 people at an event," said Mr Moloney, 57, of Helston Road, Park North.

"The council tells us that the Irish are the largest ethnic group in Swindon. But in the past we have lost the Irish Club in Dowling Street and the Shamrock Football and Hurling Club.

"The Irish event will fall away soon if we do not get the support, so I am asking the community to come along and support our next event on May 18. We are keeping Irish culture alive in Swindon, as well as giving the Irish community somewhere to have a dance, a chat, and a drink."

Mr Moloney is hoping that two big names will draw in the crowds to the five-hour concert at the Thistle Hotel this month, including Shawn Cuddy, the Irish country music star who is playing in Swindon as part of his 10th anniversary tour. John Quinn is the support act and Henry Wymbs, the presenter of the popular BBC radio programme Irish Eye, will also be at the event to pick the winning tickets in a prize draw.

First prize in the draw is a return ferry trip to Ireland for up to five people and a car, while the fact that the bar on the night will be open until 1am could be another attraction. Mr Moloney's services to the community have twice been recognised by the Irish Embassy in London, which invited him to ambassadors' receptions in 1996 and earlier this year.

He helps organise Swindon's Celtic Academy of Irish Dancing, and profits from the May 18 evening will go towards taking young dancers from the academy and their parents to a dance contest in Weston-super-Mare in June. Mr Moloney is also currently involved in organising Swindon's Old Town Festival, and in organising Swindon's own Irish dancing event, or Feis, in February 2003.

Tickets for the Irish evening on May 18 are available, priced £8 each, on Swindon 642368.