Ambassador’s Visit to the Coventry Irish Society Irish Ambassador, Martin Fraser, received a very warm welcome at the Coventry Irish Society & formally opened the Mo Mowlam Library. Coventry has a thriving Irish community and has long been a place where the Irish have found a home. People of all generations came out to welcome the Irish Ambassador to GB, His Excellency, Martin Fraser, during his visit to the Coventry Irish Society on the morning of 21 November 2024. The Ambassador was welcomed by music from Christy Pepper and from musicians at Cardinal Newman School. During the visit, he was presented with gifts from Coventry by Elliott and Bridget McCarthy of Christ The King Primary School. CEO of the Coventry Irish Society, Simon McCarthy, said: “It was a privilege to host the Ambassador during his visit to Coventry & to show the vital work that our charity does, from providing a social space for our members, supporting survivors of mother and baby homes, promoting culture and heritage, and providing advocacy and advice on welfare matters and healthcare support. As a charity, we rely entirely on donations and grants to be able to provide the important work that we do. We very much appreciate the support that we have been given by the Government of Ireland’s Emigrant Support Programme for many years and were pleased to have the opportunity of showing the Ambassador around our centre, which includes our Exhibition, “Irish Heart, Coventry Home”. The Ambassador took the time to meet with so many people during his visit and to hear about their own experiences and contributions to life here in Coventry. All aspects of Irish life were represented; from talented musicians, Irish language enthusiasts, Irish dance schools, and the GAA”. The Ambassador formally opened the Mo Mowlam Library at the Coventry Irish Society during his visit and paid tribute to Mo, who grew up in Coventry, and was a key architect of The Good Friday Agreement, a copy of which is on display in the Library. Solicitor, & Co-Ordinator at the Coventry Irish Society, Caroline Brogan, said: “We’re delighted that the Mo Mowlam Library is now open for our members to enjoy. It provides a wonderful collection of books on Irish language, history, culture, heritage, politics, places of interest, & fiction. Mo is one of my heroes, so this is a beautiful tribute to her and reminds us all of the significance of The Good Friday Agreement and our duty to past and future generations to make sure that it is fully protected and implemented”. November 2024\ See highlights from the day in the short video below.

We’re delighted that our Irish Language School, named after the late Margaret Keane, has completed another successful term. Sixteen students have completed an 8 week course with teacher, Nollaig Doughan. Due to demand, a continuation beginners+ course will be provided next year. Registration will open in mid-January 2025 for an 8 week course to commence on Thursday 20 February 2025. We will also be holding an Irish Language Day on Saturday 8 March 2025, which will include a language taster class in the morning, bi-lingual walking history tour around Coventry city centre in the afternoon, and a social evening with a pop-up Gaeltacht and quiz. More details to follow in the New Year. For any queries relating to Irish language in Coventry, please contact our Caroline Brogan: caroline.brogan@covirishsoc.org.uk 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 in the New Year 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.