Episodes

Ep 298 – 83 Year Old Michael Ellis Searches For His Missing Family

Michael Ellis came from Ireland to Manchester, England in the late 60s. Like many of his generation, this was the start of life’s great adventure. He was married, had three children and life was treating him well but for Michael, there was something missing. At just 4 weeks old, he had been fostered and since […]

Ep 297 – Jimmy Cricket Celebrates 50 Years in Show Business and Grace Kelly Turns 50!

This week on the Irish in the UK, we have a theme of 50! In Part 1… We meet up with Jimmy Cricket as he prepares to celebrate 50 years of laughter. He’s certainly had a fantastic career and many adventures along the way. We join him at the Plaza in Stockport and get the […]

Ep 296 – The Amazing Taaliyah Bates Dances and the Nottingham Shamrock Club

In Part 1… We’re in Huddersfield meeting 12 years old Taaliyah Bates. She’s a late starter to Irish dancing, only putting on her shoes in August 2022 but already has mastered many complex dances. What makes it a challenge for Taaliyah is that she’s blind. Working with her dance teacher Rebecca Kane, Taaliyah has learnt […]

Ep 295 – A New Book about St Patrick and Healing Mass in Moss Side, Manchester

In Part 1… Eric Foster thought that he knew all the facts about St Patrick but after extensive research, he found that most sources were unreliable. This led to his book, “Becoming St Patrick”. Who was St Patrick and why is he such a significant part of Irish Life? Watch and you’ll find out! In […]

Ep 294 – Paddy Kennedy, Manchester Utd player in the 1950s and Mary Houghton, Britain’s oldest care-worker

In Part 1… Paddy Kennedy was born in Dublin in 1934 and grew up to become a great footballing legend. As Irish School Boy’s captain, he led his team to victory against England at Goodison Park and around this time, was scouted for Manchester United. He went on to become one of the “Busby Babes”, […]

Ep 293 – Birmingham Irish Association Toy and Warmth Appeal

This week, we’re in Birmingham at the Irish Association, joining them as they organise a collection for those finding the cost of living crisis challenging. The Birmingham Irish community has always stepped up in times of need and between the Association’s Maurice Malone MBE and Eddie O’Connor from Bishop Challoner Catholic College, this year has […]

Ep 292 – Black Swan Re-Opens in Luton and the Annual Birmingham Bombing Memorial Service.

In Part 1… We’re in Luton for the re-opening of the Black Swan pub. A syndicate of fourteen friends got together to bring new life into one of the oldest pubs in the area. The pub has a distinctive approach, having an Irish bar and an English bar running side by side. At a time […]

Ep 291 – The “Nearly New Year” Special! Some Highlights of 2022

To start, we’re at Worsley Park Marriott Hotel & Country Club to play a few rounds of golf with Damien Brickland from Eurogold. Damien has sponsored Irish in the UK for the five years that it’s been on your screens. This yearly golfing extravaganza brings together people from the construction industry and is a celebration […]

Ep 290 – The Christmas Special! Some of the Highlights of 2022

Join Martin as he looks back over some of the great stories of 2022… We start in London to see the performers at Scoil Rince Céim Óir, a traditional Irish Dance School founded and run by Hilary Joyce-Owens. For thirty years now, Hilary has guided her dancers to world-class success. We chat with Hilary and […]

Ep 289 – The London Galway Association Annual Dinner Dance

Celebrating 66 years of the Galway Association, it’s the annual dinner dance at the Clayton Hotel in Chiswick. Covid put a halt to the last few years but now the event is back, bigger and stronger. Musical entertainment from Martin Ruddy (yes he’s a Mayo man but they let him in!) and interviews with the […]