Episodes

Ep 249 – The Leeds Irish Choir, Ernie Welch of the Old Star Pub standing in local council elections and Derek Ryan sings

This week… In Part 1, we’re in Leeds to meet Sean Rowland and the Leeds Irish Choir. Sean has worked in music all his life and decided to set up a choir in Leeds. Currently 60 strong and still looking for more singers. It’s all about singing as a group and soaking up that good […]

Ep 248- Mayor of Limerick visits Manchester, the Hare and Hounds pub in Gorton fundraises for a defibrillator and Nathan Carter sings

This week… In Part 1, we’re in Manchester to meet the Councillor Daniel Butler, Mayor of the City and County of Limerick. He’s here to strengthen ties between Limerick and the UK. Also, he awards a scroll from the people of Limerick to Dr Gerry Collins, a Consultant Surgeon, for all his contributions to the […]

Ep 247- Pantomime at the Liverpool Irish Centre, GAA pitches in Manchester and Dominic Kirwan duets with Marian Waldron

This week… In Part 1, we have front row seats for the 2022 Liverpool Irish Centre’s Pantomime. In a new take on Snow White, we are transported to Limerick to meet some weird and wonderful characters. Who is the fairest of them all? Snow White of course! Try telling the wicked stepmother that! Moving on […]

The Irish in the UK – Ep 246 – The reopening of the Irish World Heritage Centre, PADIS and JF Kennedy’s GAA football club

This week… Closed throughout much of the pandemic, we’re at the grand reopening of the Irish World Heritage Centre. We meet the team that have brought the building back to scratch and celebrate the return to “normal” with Sarah Mangan, Consul General for Ireland, cutting the ribbon. After being used by the NHS, it’s great […]

The Irish in the UK – Ep 245 – Percy French, songwriter, poet, artist, entertainer…

This week… William Percy French. You might not know the name but you’ll know the songs. “Are Ye Right There Michael?”, “The Mountains of Mourne”, “Phil the Fluter’s Ball” and dozens of others all written over a hundred years ago, some as far back as the 1870s. Percy, who was born in County Roscommon, wrote […]

The Irish in the UK – Ep 244- Ernie Welch of the Old Star Pub in Winsford and remembering Mark Tomlinson

This week… In Part 1… Last year, Ernie Welch underwent extensive surgery for cancer. He’s the popular and funny landlord of the Old Star Pub in Winsford. You can’t keep a good man down and Ernie published regular blogs about his fight back, helping others to deal with evil that is cancer. Having had a […]

The Irish in the UK – Ep 243- Harry Clarke windows at St Oswald & St Edmund Arrowsmith and Irish Democratic League of Britain

This week… In Part 1… Harry Clarke was a Dublin born stained-glass artist. Born in 1889, he was a leading figure in the Irish Arts and Crafts Movement. His windows at St Oswald & St Edmund Arrowsmith RC Church in Ashton-in-Makerfield are considered to be some of his finest work. We visit the church and […]

The Irish in the UK – Ep 242- Movema Dance and Coffee 4 Craig

This week… In Part 1, we’re in Liverpool to meet Maria Malone. She’s one of the founders of Movema Dance Company. She’s an amazing traditional Irish dancer but also is experienced in Bollywood styles, having appeared in films and adverts from India. Maria talks about her inspirations for setting up the company and we see […]

The Irish in the UK – Ep 241 – Bethlehem Boxing Club, Anne Marie’s Ladieswear and 25 years of Mulligan’s Funerals

This week… In Part 1, we meet Lee Murtagh who became the first Leeds born All Ireland Boxing Champion. He’s since set up the Bethlehem Boxing Club in Leeds. We spend an evening with him seeing all the action from young and old. Lee’s mum proudly looks after his Light Middleweight belt and he talks […]

The Irish in the UK-Episode 240 – Bishop Challoner Catholic College & Stronger Together Bereavement Group

In Part 1.. We meet Eddie O’Connor, Assistant Head Teacher at Bishop Challoner Catholic College. The college actively involves students in community projects and we reflect on their Christmas “shoe-box” appeal. Also, they’re talented children and we see and hear some of their performances. Ger Noone heads up PE and we celebrate sporting success through […]