In Part 1… We are in Liverpool spending and evening at L’Olivetto restaurant. Since the foundation of The Irish in the UK, L’Oivetto and Eurogold have been our sponsors and we speak to Managing Director, Damien Brickland about the restaurant’s continued success. L’Olivetto is a popular haunt for Nathan Carter and his family and we chat to Nathan about how the restaurant is one of his “go to” places.

L’Olivetto has recently undergone an extensive refurbishment and has launched a new menu. A great evening out with traditional Irish entertainment where you never know who you might meet.

In Part 2… Brothers Pearse GAA in Huddersfield has been in existence since 1954. We join the club for a special celebration hosted by the Mayor of Kirklees, Cahal Burke at Huddersfield Town Hall. Cahal is a former player and speaks fondly of his time at the club. With special guest Sean Hopkins, President of the GAA in Britain, we pay tribute to those that formed and maintained the club that we see today.

For more information…

L’Olivetto menu and booking… www.lolivetto.co.uk telephone 0151 724 5169

Brothers Pearse can be found on Facebook

Watch the Irish in the UK every Thursday night at 7.30pm on SKY 186 or Freesat 162. Repeated on Tuesday at 1 pm

We spend the day in Birmingham at their Parade and then join them for an evening music festival.

Lots of brightly coloured floats, flamboyant people and VIPs galore!

Among others, we chat with Maurice Malone, CEO of the Birmingham Irish Association along with Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands.

We also talk with Ciaran Healey about his upcoming Pairc Festival and the day rounds off with a concert by Nathan Carter so something for everyone!

For more information…

Birmingham Irish Association… www.birish.org.uk

Pairc Festival… paircfestival.com

Craic by the Creek… craicbythecreek.co.uk

Watch the Irish in the UK every Thursday night at 7.30pm on SKY 186 or Freesat 162. Repeated on Tuesday at 1 pm

In Part 1… We’re at Manchester Hall with a host of Mayors and Councillors for an event organised by Sarah Mangan, Consul General of Ireland to the North of England. Taking place just before St Patrick’s day, this evening of entertainment is an opportunity for Ireland to say “thank you” to all those that made the UK their home and supported their families back across the Irish Sea. Guest speaker, Norma Foley, Ireland’s Minister for Education pays tribute to those that sacrificed everything to support themselves and their loved ones in the days before Ireland’s prosperity.

With traditional Pipe music from Fianna Phadraig Pipe Band and dynamic traditional dance from the Ward-Mallinson School of Irish Dance, it’s an empowering evening.

In Part 2… We’re at the Whitaker Museum and Art Gallery in Rawtenstall as they set up for a St Patrick’s Day “weekend” art installation centred on Michael Davitt and featuring the words of Mary McAleese, former President of Ireland. This carving, created by Noah Rose features an exchange of stone from the Michael Davitt Museum in Straide, Co. Mayo. We chat with Noah and the museum’s Creative Director, Gaynor Saville.

For more information…

Ward-Mallinson Dance on Facebook

http://www.fiannaphadraigpipeband.org/

www.thewhitaker.org

www.michaeldavittmuseum.ie

Watch the Irish in the UK every Thursday night at 7.30pm on SKY 186 or Freesat 162. Repeated on Tuesday at 1 pm

It’s cold and windy! It must be the St Patrick’s Day parade in Manchester. Despite the decidedly Mancunian weather, the community turned out to celebrate Ireland’s Patron Saint, braving strong winds and evil temperatures.

Starting with Mass at the Irish World Heritage Centre, we were joined by a host of VIPs including Sarah Mangan, Consul General of Ireland and a small army of Mayors and Sheriffs!

We spoke with Parade sponsor, Aidan McGeary of Blue Machinery and also Fr Ray of St Chads, who has been “bringing out” St Patrick for a good few years.

Lots of colourful floats, excited people and all round good will.

For more information…

Irish World Heritage Centre… https://iwhc.com

Watch the Irish in the UK every Thursday night at 7.30pm on SKY 186 or Freesat 162. Repeated on Tuesday at 1 pm

This week, we’re in London at the Clayton Hotel celebrating with Parnells GAA at their annual dinner dance. Formed in 1951, Parnells are a Gaelic football club based in North West London.

The club is flourishing and thriving, with a membership of over 500. There is a lively social side with annual dinner dances, along with golf days and fundraising events that are always great occasions.

Parnells is family orientated and welcomes members from all backgrounds, anywhere in the UK, Ireland and anywhere else in the world!

We chat with club president Willie Moffat, chairman Dennis Diggins and many of those that make the club what it is today.

Parnells GAA can be easily found on Facebook and at parnellsgaa.com or call 07803 415358

For more information…

Music by Peppered Aces

Irish dancing by Murchu Duiginn School of Irish Dancing

Watch the Irish in the UK every Thursday night at 7.30pm on SKY 186 or Freesat 162. Repeated on Tuesday at 1 pm

In Part 1… Pat Fallon from Rochdale is 90 but it’s hard to believe! Watch the man go! Dancing like a 20 year old, singing, telling tall tales; he’s certainly got it all going at 90! We chat with Pat and his daughters about his busy life and being a weightlifting champion back in the day.

A great day of entertainment with song, dance and comedy, courtesy of Jimmy Cricket.

In Part 2… Across to the Warrington Irish Club and Sam Maguire drops by for a visit. In case you didn’t know, Sam is the solid silver trophy awarded to the All Ireland Football Champions. Not often out of Ireland, Sam makes a whistle-stop tour of the North of England and spends a day in Warrington along with his personal escort, Dave McEneaney.

Martin Lonergan of the Warrington GAA managed to secure the visit and we talk to him about the significance of Sam stopping by.

The club is packed full of people wanting to have their photo taken with Sam along with Jacqeline Brereton, club manager and Sean Hopkins, President of the GAA in Britain.

For more information…

Warrington Irish Club and GAA can be found on Facebook

Watch the Irish in the UK every Thursday night at 7.30pm on SKY 186 or Freesat 162. Repeated on Tuesday at 1 pm

This week we’re at the Irish Embassy in London at an event hosted by the Deputy Irish Ambassador, Orla McBreen. The day was organised to celebrate the Nottingham St Patrick’s Day Festival and pay tribute to all those that have contributed to its success over the years.

We speak to Gerry Molumby about organising such a complex festival and hear from the Chairman of the Nottingham Irish Centre, Pat Murphy about their plans to upgrade the Centre.

No Nottingham event would be complete without Robin Hood and the Sheriff and both make an appearance.

Great music from Roisin Hickey, Sean Cannon and Louis Walsh make the day a memorable event.

Nottingham’s festival takes place on Sunday 17^th March in the Market Square from 11.30 and is free to attend.

For more information…

If you think you may be able to help with Nottingham’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations go to www.nottinghamstpatricksfestival.org.uk

Watch the Irish in the UK every Thursday night at 7.30pm on SKY 186 or Freesat 162. Repeated on Tuesday at 1 pm

In Part 1… We’re in Huddersfield with Rebecca Kane, of Kane Irish Dance, to see her receive an Excellence in Teaching Award. Presented by the Lord Mayor of Kirklees, Cahal Burke, this award is a global recognition of excellence and clearly shows Rebecca to be at the top of her game. With live music from Michelle O’Leary and an interview with the leader of Kirklees council, Belfast born Catherine Scott, it’s a festival of “Irish-ness”.

In Part 2… Across to Manchester to meet Cath Noone and her husband Pat. Cath has been a volunteer for the last 50 years and has given so much to the local community. Her and Pat have many stories to tell about moving to England and meeting up. We hear from Patrick Morrison from Irish Community Care as he explains why Cath has received a life-time achievement award and the importance of volunteering.

Fancy volunteering for Irish Community Care in Manchester? Call 0161 205 9105

For more information…

Kane Irish Dance is on Facebook and kaneirishdance.com

Irish Community Care Manchester is on Facebook and www.irishcommunitycare.com

Watch the Irish in the UK every Thursday night at 7.30pm on SKY 186 or Freesat 162. Repeated on Tuesday at 1 pm

In Part 1… We’re in Manchester at the Irish World Heritage Centre for an evening of great music from the Kilkennys. A mix of traditional and new music will get your feet tapping. We talk to Davey Cashin from the band and also meet up with Sam Mcintyre, the organiser of the event.

In Part 2… Across to Leeds and to Kennedy’s Irish Centre Shop. Don Kennedy has run his shop at the centre since the 70s and has some great stories to tell. Born in Dublin, Don became a world class basketball player, he was also a professional musician and a record sales entrepreneur!

For more information…

Irish World Heritage Centre can be found at iwhc.com and on Facebook

The Kilkennys are on all social platforms

The Leeds Irish Centre can be found on Facebook

Watch the Irish in the UK every Thursday night at 7.30pm on SKY 186 or Freesat 162. Repeated on Tuesday at 1 pm

In Part 1… Founded in 1889 at Ashton in Makerfield, The Brian Boru club was established by a group of Irish emigrants who left for England over 130 years ago. We spend an evening at this culturally significant club, taking in the great history and traditional music and dance.

We’re joined by the Chairman, Tom Moran and Cultural Devotement Officer Maxine Williams and talk about the role the club plays within the local community.

With so much rich heritage, the Brian Boru sticks to its core promise: “to promote Irish history, culture, music and dance”.

In Part 2… We spend time with Tommy McLoughlin, Manager of the Leeds Irish Centre and talk about their recent redevelopment. In these difficult times, the Leeds Irish Centre is successfully filling a gap in the market and whilst others contract, the Centre is expanding.

The Leeds Irish Centre as well as being a local hub, is also the birth place of televised darts. Next time you hear them shout “one hundred and eighty!”, think back to the 1970s and “Indoor League” presented by Fred Trueman, complete with a pipe and a pint.

And to end the show, we have Chrissy Mac and his band playing “Diamond Dreams”.

For more information…

The Brian Boru and the Leeds Irish Centre are both on Facebook and also have their own websites.

brianboruclub.com

theleedsirishcentre.co.uk

Irish Community Care can be found on www.irishcc.net

Comhaltas UK.. www.comhaltas.co.uk

Chrissy Mac.. www.chrissymacband.co.uk

Watch the Irish in the UK every Thursday night at 7.30pm on SKY 186 or Freesat 162. Repeated on Tuesday at 1 pm