Arrays of Imaging Cherenkov telescopes have proven to be extremely powerful instruments for the investigation of the non-thermal universe. Very high energy (VHE) gamma rays (>100 GeV) have been detected from a wide range of astrophysical objects and VHE gamma ray astronomy is becoming an established astronomical discipline.
The field is developing rapidly and substantial gains in angular resolution and sensitivity seem to be possible with this technique in the near future. Four major installations are currently in operation, but extensions to these instruments are in progress and one-order of magnitude more sensitive instruments are in the planning stage.
This workshop is intended to survey the experimental and theoretical status of the field, to emphasise the links to other areas of astronomy and to particle physics, to show the role of the UK and Ireland in the current efforts and to highlight opportunities for the UK and Ireland in the upcoming instrumentation. We hope that this meeting will be an important step towards a significant British and Irish participation in future European activities in this field.
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