A Tapestry of Time: The Enduring Irish Presence in Coventry
February 5, 2024
The rich history of the Irish diaspora in Coventry weaves through four centuries, marking a story of resilience, community, and contribution to the city's growth. 

A significant surge in population occurred during the 19th century, driven by the Famine. Over a span of two decades, Coventry witnessed a staggering 120% increase in its Irish population. The neighbourhoods of Calidcotts Yard, Gosford Street, and Jordan became focal points, providing a home for Irish migrants seeking refuge and opportunities.

In the 20th century, a new wave of Irish migration was propelled by economic prospects, drawing individuals to Coventry's flourishing industries. Notably, the Irish found employment in silk production and the burgeoning automotive manufacturing sector. Post- World War II, their contributions were actively sought for essential services such as hospitals, public transportation, and construction. Often overlooked, the Irish played a pivotal role in rebuilding Coventry after the war, leaving an indelible mark on the city's infrastructure and development.

By 1961, the Irish-born population had burgeoned to 20,000, constituting nearly 6% of
Coventry's total inhabitants. The community's presence was not confined to specific areas but spanned across the city, with Coundon, Radford, and Earlsdon emerging as popular settlements. This dispersion facilitated a widespread influence of Irish culture, enriching Coventry's social fabric. Such influence was particularly evident when 2014 saw President Higgins visit Coventry, a symbolic recognition of the hard work of Irish people in crafting Coventry into the city it is today.

In the present day, the Irish community continues to thrive, contributing to the vibrant diversity of Coventry. While maintaining a deep connection to its roots, the community has embraced various neighbourhoods, adding to the cosmopolitan character of Coundon, Radford, and Earlsdon.

As Coventry's landscape transformed, so did the narrative of the Irish community. Beyond the historical landmarks of Calidcotts Yard and Gosford Street, the spirit of the Irish persists in the city's very foundations. From labouring in factories to rebuilding Coventry after the ravages of war, the Irish have left a remarkable imprint on the city's past and present.

Article by Kate O’ Mahony

‘Irish Heart, Coventry Home’ our oral history exhibition is on permanent display at CIS
offices. Viewing is between 2-4pm Monday to Friday.



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Lá Mór na Gaeilge - Irish Language Day 2025

January 24, 2025
The Coventry Irish Society are delighted to open registration for this year’s Lá na Gaeilge / Irish Language Day which will take place on Saturday 8 March 2025, for all levels, as part of the Coventry Irish Society’s St Patrick’s Festival and Seachtain na Gaeilge 2025 (Irish language week). 1. Taster Irish Language Class Áit / Location: Ground Floor, Quaker Meeting House, Hill Street, Coventry CV1 4AN Arrival: 9.15 – 9.25 am Session ends approximately 11.10 am to allow a short break before the next activity. The group are welcome to stay together, on location, during the break. Múinteoir / Teacher: Nollaig Doughan The session will be suitable for all levels and will include various activities, including the opportunity to learn the Irish National Anthem, as Gaeilge (which might come in handy for the rugby later!). 2. Síulóid / Bilingual Walking Tour of Coventry 12.00: A fascinating síulóid /walking tour around historical city centre sites will be led by Christy Evans and will take approximately one hour. Christy writes a column, in Irish, for The Irish World. Christy is a gaeilgeoir and has dedicated his life to teaching and promoting Irish. His notable achievements include being the European Commission Language Ambassador for Irish, Winner of The Pride of Ireland Award 2007, and Founder of Coláiste na nGael. Coláiste na nGael - Wikipedia Christy has written a short Irish / English guide booklet on Coventry and this will be provided to participants on the day. The meeting point and end location are TBC, but will be around the Cathedral / Broadgate area of Coventry. Adults booked on the tour may bring children with them, free of charge (1x child per parent / guardian / carer who is fully responsible for the child’s supervision and care at all times). Please ensure that a child’s place is booked in advance, at the same time as purchasing the adult’s ticket. Attendees should wear comfortable footwear and suitable outdoor clothing as this will be an outdoor event. They may also wish to bring a drink / light snack. 3. Free-time or option to join the language group for the Six Nations Rugby (Ireland v France) Áit / location: The Hearsall Inn, Craven Street, Coventry CV5 8DS Am / Time: approximately 1.45 pm – 4.15 pm. This part of the day is not formally organised by the Coventry Irish Society and so we cannot reserve seating (or control the result!!), but we do hope that Irish speakers will stay together to keep speaking Irish and to sing the Anthem, as Gaeilge! 4. 7.00 pm Pop Up Gaeltacht & Bilingual Quiz Áit / Location: The Hearsall Inn, Craven Street, Coventry CV5 8DS Am / Time: 7.00 pm – 9.00 pm Over 18s only Tickets Adult Full Day Ticket £10 members / £12 non-members. This includes the Taster Session, Walking Tour & Evening Quiz. Adult Half Day Ticket £6 members / £8 non-members. This includes the Walking Tour & Evening Quiz. This will be a popular day and advance booking is essential. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis. Tickets do not include food / drink. Admission to watch the rugby game is free. Please contact Caroline Brogan, at caroline.brogan@covirishsoc.org.uk or telephone 024 7625 6629, or visit our office at Eaton House during office hours, to obtain a booking form and arrange advance payment. On receipt of payment, a confirmation email will be sent to you as proof of booking. Leibhéal / Level: The day is suitable for all levels, from fluent speakers, to beginners. Where possible, we will try to tailor the level of Irish to the attendee. All activities will be bilingual.

Registration for Spring term now open - Scoil Ghaeilge Margaret Keane - The Margaret Keane Irish Language School

January 20, 2025
We’re delighted that our Irish Language School, named after the late Margaret Keane, is returning for a Spring term from February 2025. This 8 week course will commence on Thursday 20 February 2025 and will run until Thursday 17 April. The Spring Term class will continue to use the below text book and will pick up where they left off at the end of the Autumn Term 2024. The course book is not included within the cost of the course fee and students may wish to purchase this themselves. For anyone who missed the Autumn Term but who would like to join the Spring Term course, then they are very welcome. As the classes will be continuing from work covered in the Autumn Term, those registering this term will need to have some basic level of Irish. £55 per student for members of the Coventry Irish Society / £60 per student for non- members. The course fee is for a course consisting of 8x classes and is payable in advance to the Coventry Irish Society by 12 February 2025. Please contact Caroline Brogan: caroline.brogan@covirishsoc.org.uk or telephone 024 7625 6629 to obtain a booking form. Registration closes 12 February 2025. Would you like to write for our website? We would like to include a section on our website dedicated to An Ghaeilge. If you may be able to provide a few hours volunteering time to help us write a welcome section, as Gaeilge, with links to helpful resources, then that would be ar fheabhas! Please contact our Caroline Brogan: caroline.brogan@covirishsoc.org.uk if you may be able to help.

Meet the author - Dennis Carey

January 9, 2025
If it’s a land war they want, there are people prepared to fight back. In 2016 Mayo-born author, Dennis Carey, released An Untilled Field, a historical story of the violent eviction of the Walshe family in 1870s rural Ireland. Based on true events the story focused on sixteen-year-old Liam Walshe who watched his parents being taken away by the Royal Irish Constabulary leaving him homeless and caring for his four-year-old brother Aiden. As his adventure unfolds, Liam makes contact with representatives of the Irish National Land League, the organisation founded at the Imperial Hotel in Castlebar in 1879 to fight for justice for land tenants. Almost nine years later, Dennis has released the book’s gripping sequel, Land Wars. The stories are set, predominantly, in County Mayo during the Irish Land Wars of the late 1800s. In both books, Dennis draws on actual events in England and Ireland to bring the harsh history of this period to life on the page. “I owed it to young Liam Walshe and the other main characters in the first book to continue their story,” Dennis said. “Unfortunately, in the sequel, life doesn’t get any easier for Liam and his family. If anything, it gets more dangerous.” Dennis has been writing since leaving Further Education in August 2014. This is his fifth novel. Along with An Untilled Field his other titles are The Ditcher, Sins of the Mothers, and Killing Alma. He will be here at Coventry Irish Society on Tuesday 28 th January 2025 at 2.00pm to talk about the books and the inspiration behind them. Copies of all of his books will be available to sign and dedicate after the talk.
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