PREVIOUS EVENTS AT CICA LONDON
LOVE DANCE - A COMEDY
DEREK MURPHY STARS in LOVE DANCE
Cork-born actor Derek Murphy stars in the comedy Love Dance which runs at London’s Chiswick Playhouse from 10 November to 27 November 2021. Derek Murphy (Sequins, Organised Chaos; Dial M For Murder, Michael Friend Productions) has been cast in the hilarious and uplifting rom-com Love Dance at Chiswick Playhouse, alongside Jacoba Williams (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night, The Globe).
Directed by Lesley Manning (Ghostwatch, BBC) and written by the animator-turned-playwright Andy Walker (The Story of Tracy Beaker, CBBC), Love Dance tells the rocky path of the two most unlikely characters finding love.
This comic triumph explores the balance of highflying careers and motherhood goals with all the heart and humour of a rom-com. Inspired by a close friend of the creative team, the play follows accomplished surgeon Rose, who is desperate to have a baby but doesn’t want a long-term relationship. In exchange for a sofa to sleep on, lazy and immature musician Adam agrees to help her find a suitable father for her child all the while unaware he’s falling in love with her.
PUNCHY! THE MUSICAL
FIONA KELLY STARS in PUNCHY!
Dublin-born actor Fiona Kelly stars in a brand-new musical that will bring the soulful sounds of the 1950s to The Courtyard Theatre from Tuesday 2nd – Sunday 21st November. Drawing upon the real-life stories of everyday, working-class people, Punchy! The Musical follows one particular lost soul in post-war London.
The central location of the show is the Irish pub ‘The Jameson’s Arms’, with its landlady brought to life by Fiona Kelly. Fiona grew up in Carlow, and went on to train at The Gaiety School of Acting (National Theatre School of Ireland), and will be playing the role of Olive Jameson in Punchy!
The musical focuses on the timeless challenges people face today, as well as important themes of mental wellbeing. It’s a show anyone can relate to, whether it’s a dysfunctional childhood or the corrosive peer pressure of today’s social media. We all have our inner fears and conflicts, and Punchy! brings these conversations alive in a truly spectacular way.
Award-winning composer Jack Terroni’s soundtrack will be played by an onstage band. The incredible creative team also includes production consultant Joan Lane (The King’s Speech) and triple platinum-selling soundtrack producer Steve Brown (Laura Mvula; Magic Goes Wrong).
SENSATIONAL CITY OF DERRY INTERNATIONAL CHOIR FESTIVAL 2021
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR: Dónal Doherty
The sensational City of Derry International Choir Festival launches on 20 October with an unrivalled programme of world class, big-name live and digital choral events. With amazing online events, we thought your members might be interested in attending, tuning in online or even taking part in the festival.
This special festival (the only international choir festival of its kind in the UK) runs live and virtually from Wednesday 20 October until Sunday 24 October. Headline acts include the internationally acclaimed all-male chorus Chanticleer and award-winning vocal ensemble Tenebrae. Celebrating its ninth successful year, the Festival has been carefully planned to include a synchronised mix of in-person and virtual events throughout the city as part of an immersive programme of live and digital concerts, performances, workshops, podcasts, and other events.
SOUTH EAST FERMANAGH FOUNDATION
It is part of the CICA LONDON remit to promote and endorse good causes. South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF) is a UK-wide organisation with outreach in the Republic of Ireland and Europe that provides support to innocent victims and survivors of the Northern Ireland Troubles. The ‘LIVES’ project (Liberating Innocent Victims Empowering them to Succeed) is SEFF’s GB branch, with offices located in London.
The ‘LIVES’ project team has been operating since 2017 and is made up of advocacy workers, health and wellbeing case-workers and welfare case-workers. The project has provided support to more than 120 direct and indirect victims/survivors of the Troubles and we reach out to all who have been adversely impacted.
Those who have accessed our services have benefited from support directed to meet their justice, truth, and acknowledgment needs, as well as their emotional, psychological and physical needs.
Furthermore, we have just appointed two welfare case-workers who will be providing support with applications for the Troubles permanent disablement payment scheme.
SEFF is determined to ensure that GB-based victims/survivors have access to comparable services to their Northern Ireland counterparts. SEFF has campaigned vociferously on the basis of equality of access for all those innocents impacted by the Northern Ireland related troubles wherever they happen to be located.
We are reaching out and interested in opening up our services to more people who were innocent victims of the Troubles in NI and have subsequently moved from NI or the RoI to GB. If you, or someone you know, has been adversely affected by the Troubles, please get in touch. We are here to help. (OCTOBER 2021)
PATHWAYS VIRTUAL ART EXHIBITION by Bernie Joyce
This virtual exhibition by visual artist Bernie Joyce explores how the Connemara people and landscape inspired Patrick Pearse as a teacher, writer and leader. Pathways send the viewer on a journey back in time to when the Celtic Revival was in full swing. This was a period when artists, poets and writers turned their back on British colonial culture and looked towards their own Irish heritage. The paintings on show are accompanied with information on Pearse’s short stories, the Irish language and local history of his stay in Ros Muc on the west coast of Ireland. It gives a perspective on how the Cultural Revolution went hand in hand with the break from Britain and the lead up to the Easter Raising and the war of Independence.
Many people flock to Pearse’s Cottage in Ros Muc on Easter Sunday but due to the pandemic the commemorations are cancelled for a second year running. This exhibition has evolved with these changing times and its aim is to bring an alternative experience to people in a safe environment until the time comes that we may visit the cottage again. The viewer can roam through a gallery space and get up close to paintings in a social distant safe environment. There is a wealth of information available by clicking on the ‘i’ (information icon) beside each image which gives a wide range of local history. If you need more details feel free to get in touch if you need more information.
Patrick Henry Pearse (Pádraig Anraí Mac Piarais) was born 10 November 1879 and died 3 May 1916. He was an Irish teacher, barrister, poet, writer, nationalist, republican political activist and revolutionary who was one of the leaders of the Easter Rising in 1916. Following his execution along with fifteen others, Pearse came to be seen by many as the embodiment of the rebellion.
FREE IRISH HERITAGE FILMS
The Irish Film Institute is Ireland’s national cultural institution for film. It provides access to the finest independent, Irish and international cinema; it preserves and promotes Ireland’s moving image heritage through the IFI Irish Film Archive, and provides opportunities for audiences of all ages and backgrounds to learn and critically engage with film. The Collection features artistic and creative Irish documentaries. The Collection will be added to on an ongoing basis.
You can view for free a selection of heritage videos on the newly-launched global collection of films, the IFI Collection. These are available to stream worldwide on the online digital platform, IFI International.
WELCOME RE-OPENINGS!
With the lifting of restrictions in recent weeks we are pleased to announce the re-opening of the London Irish Centre in Camden and the Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith. Due to the continuous Covid pandemic activities are limited and require advance bookings. For further information :
LONDON IRISH CENTRE CAMDEN
Tel: 0207 916 2222
THE IRISH CULTURAL CENTRE HAMMERSMITH
Tel: 0208 563 8232
Hopefully, you may enjoy this brief musical video promoting the covid vaccine and encouraging us all to take the jab at the earliest opportunity. Please share this video to bring a much needed smile! And please sing along to the tune of Mountain Dew in the style of The Dubliners!
The video was made by Surrey Border Movie Makers. The club is an inspiring and dedicated group of enthusiastic film makers based in Farnham Surrey.
Kind regards,
Brian O’Connell
A NEW PUBLICATION OF IRISH POETRY
IRELAND CALLING - ARTHUR BROOMFIELD
The Irish Poet’s collection evokes memories of Ireland’s past. Irish poet Dr Arthur Broomfield has launched Ireland Calling, a new book of poems of special interest to Irish people residing abroad. The collection is written in ballad form and recalls stories, characters and events – some humorous, some sad – that will evoke nostalgic memories of Ireland’s past. Love for his subject, for the Irish characters, stories and landscape, is the inspiration that drives Broomfield’s work.
Clare Bolger, Irish author, academic and literary critic writes: Broomfield’s poetry is ‘written in the language of the people, it digs deep into the Irish tradition of telling yarns…it comes from the “deep heart’s core,” ’ as readers will note when poems such as ‘Planting the Spuds’, ‘The Fairy Bush’. The Rambling House’ tug the heart strings. Revival Press, Broomfield’s publishers, insist ‘if there’s a drop of Irish blood in your arteries, this book is for you’.
Arthur Broomfield’s Ireland Calling truly comes from ‘the deep heart’s ore’. Written in the language of the people it digs deep into the Irish tradition of telling yarns and bringing characters to life, through dramas and events, that, in their telling, sparkle with vitality, ‘spakes’ and humour that will draw those of Irish origin back to their roots, and for those less fortunate, open valuable insights into the Irish character. In ‘Making the Deal’ the young boy learns the art of buying cattle at the April fair ‘every trick and nod, every nudge and sign’.
The emigrant, in a sensuous Heaney like image recalls ‘the Cappagh soil between my hands, the smell of the dung, the sunset and the view,’ in ‘Planting the Spuds’. ‘Flour bought in Mansworth’s, buttermilk from the cow’, is ‘shaped round with floury hands, some upon her brow’ in a poem that aches with the longing for soda bread [He Dreams of Soda Bread].
This is Broomfield’s eighth work, not to be missed. Also, among the admires of Ireland Calling, is Maureen Culleton, the internationally acclaimed promoter of Irish culture, founder of Sean Cistin, Ballyfin, County Laois and frequent visitor to the United States. She writes; ‘Arthur,a chara. Míle comhghairdeas as ucht na dánta stairiúla,suimiúla a chum tú agus atá foilsithe sa bhailiúchán. Seo Ireland Calling. Go néireoidh go geal leat.’
– Arthur, a thousand congratulations because of the historical, interesting poems you composed and published in Ireland Calling. May you enjoy great success.
Ireland Calling – Arthur Broomfield: broomfield.arthur@gmail.com
Image of Arthur Broomfield – When A Visitor Knocks: LIVE ENCOUNTERS
A NEW PUBLICATION OF TIPPERARY HERITAGE
TIPPERARY PEOPLE OF GREAT NOTE - MARTIN QUINN
Tipperary People of Great Note is a remarkable look at 86 influential historical figures of great importance from Tipperary Town (Ireland) and district (all within a 20km radius of Tipperary Town) dating from as far back as the 1100’s through to the present day. They are all of Tipperary heritage, either having been born and raised here or having come to reside here. This book will be of great interest to people of Tipperary heritage in the UK. It includes several who emigrated from Ireland and others from the UK who came to reside in Tipperary.
Those with UK connections featured in the book include author and broadcaster, Frank Delaney, art historian, George Joseph Furlong, portrait photographer, Clementina Maude, British Chief Justice of Palestine, Sir William James Fitzgerald, feminist writer and organiser, Anna Doyle Wheeler and Westminster native, Major John Carlon Markes. Exclusive access was granted to the author to a prayer book which had been given to Major Markes by his wife and Tipperary native, Philomena (Ryan), which was lost when Major Markes was killed in the Battle of the Somme in 1916 and recovered over 80 years later by a farmer ploughing his field. With the permission of the family, images from the prayer book and inscriptions have been shared in the author’s book.
Former Irish Minister of Sate and Historian, Dr Martin Mansergh has written the foreword to this remarkable book. Dr Mansergh writes that ‘The most important heritage of any area is its people. Irish people particularly are rooted in place, even when living elsewhere. For this volume, Martin Quinn has selected eighty-six men and women, mostly from the last three hundred years, from Tipperary Town and district, all of whom left their mark. A few we will have known personally. More we will have heard of. Others we are glad to learn about. Each biography gives a picture. Many of us will be stimulated to find out more. The book also includes a number of sporting figures including Olympians, one of the founders of the GAA and a Wimbeldon Ladies Champion.
Tipperary People of Great Note – MARTIN QUINN: martinquinns@eircom.net
Countess Markievicz – Irish Freedom Fighter: Synopsis
Constance Markievicz – Irish Freedom Fighter is a one woman play which follows the trajectory of the life of Countess Markievicz from Anglo-Irish aristocrat to Irish nationalist freedom-fighter. She was the first woman elected to the House of Commons and first female cabinet minister in Europe. Much of its focus is on the period surrounding the 1916 Easter Rising in Ireland in which she actively participated and on the War of Independence and the Civil War which followed. As 2021 marks the centenary of the War of Independence I feel this play would appeal to anyone interested in the subject.
I am an Irish playwright based in Galway. I have previously written a one woman play about the life of Lady Gregory which has had 21 performances to date – mostly in London and Birmingham but a tour in Ireland also including a performance in Yeats’ Castle, Thoor Ballylee. I have also written stage play comedies and screenplays including a screenplay set during the Famine centred around the life and career of Lady Gregory’s husband Sir William Gregory.
READ MORE: PHILOMENA MASON
ON-LINE FUNDRAISER
We gladly share a message from the Lewisham Irish Centre in S.E.London to announce that they will be holding an Online Fundraising Concert featuring the musical talent of Fiona & Jean Kelly on Sunday 6 June 2021 from 6pm – 7pm. Tickets are by donation and all proceeds will help fund the essential work of the Lewisham Irish Community Centre.
LEWISHAM IRISH COMMUNITY CENTRE
Best wishes to you all for now and keep safe, stay healthy & happy!
Kind Regards,
John Giltenan
Hon Secretary C.I.C.A London
Tel:07956 855957.
Email: johnglimerick@gmail.com
Fhéile Naomh Pádraig
On Sunday March 1st, a large crowd gathered for a lunch and early St Patrick’s Day celebration, in Kilburn’s Mazenod Club. The event opened with some pre-lunch music from Eilish Byrne-Whelehan and the wonderful London Celtic Youth orchestra – Feith an Cheoil. This set people up nicely for a traditional lunch of Bacon and cabbage, which was beautifully prepared and served by Anna Redmond and the staff of the Mazenod.
Straight after lunch Eilish entertained us again, with a beautiful rendition of the proclamation, a piece in tribute to the people of 1916. This was followed by The O Connor- Hennigan Irish Dance Academy and their spectacular hurling dance. They were introduced by event organiser Larry O’Leary who spoke of this as a great tribute to his friend and GAA colleague Tommy Harrell, a former chairman of the London GAA and former chairman of a vibrant London Wexford Association, when he sadly passed away. Tommy’s’ son Martin is married to Angela O’Connor of the dance academy. And Tommy’s grand daughter even gave a hand in the introduction.
After that we had a show stopping performance from Gemma McMeel, who gave renditions of such songs as ‘Grace’ and ‘The Town I Loved So Well’. Gemma had everyone singing along! Following on from Gemma, we had Pat and Nick of Mustang to dance the afternoon away.
It was an honour to have the Ambassador of Ireland Adrian O’Neill pay a visit to the show as well as Limerick born Mary from Islington Council, who was representing the incoming Mayor Troy Gallagher, who was unable to attend due to illness. Mary will be the new mayor’s consort. We were also honoured to have as a guest Fr John Buckley parish priest from St Agnes Cricklewood, who is originally from Cork.
Larry O’Leary acted as MC for the afternoon, in what was his last event as CICA chairperson. He warmly thanked all those who had supported him during his four years at the helm and those that had helped organise this show. Larry is the Chairperson of the City Hall Community advisory Board and the Cork Association as well as Father Murphy’s Camogie and Ladies Gaelic Football Club and intends to continue in those roles, with renewed vigour and energy.
DARKNESS into LIGHT
The ‘Darkness into Light’ event was launched at the Clayton Crown Hotel in Cricklewood. The Annual “Darkness into Light” event will take place on the morning of Saturday 8 May 2021. This year’s event will once again be a virtual event owing to the ongoing Covid 19 restrictions. All are invited to take part in their locality. All funds raised will go towards the great work done by Pieta House in their work towards Suicide prevention and their supporting organisations in the UK are ICap and Samaritans Solihull. Members of the CICA will also do a sponsored 10km walk to raise funds on Monday May 10th and your support and generosity will be truly appreciated and welcome.
NATIONAL VOLUNTEERING WEEK 2021
The month of June marks NATIONAL VOLUNTEERING WEEK 2021 from 1 June through to 7 June 2021. The CICALondon in conjunction with the Irish in Britain will be participating in a Volunteer Video project to pay tribute to our many members who perform great volunteering deeds in a wide variety of amazing ways. We take this opportunity to express our gratitude to you all! You can view our video presentation in the coming days by visiting our FACEBOOK PAGE ‘CICA LONDON’ and the link will also be available on the IRISH IN BRITAIN FACEBOOK PAGE.
DARKNESS into LIGHT - THANK YOU!
Sincere thanks to all who participated in the Annual “Darkness into Light 2021” event, which this year took place as a virtual event on Saturday 8 May 2021. Members of our Organisation also took part in a Sponsored 12 mile Walk from Cricklewood to London Bridge on Monday 10 May 2021 taking in a host of great London landmarks and raising funds for the wonderful work done by ICAP & Pieta House. Sincere thanks to all who turned out and to all you who generously donated towards this great cause. Thank you!
REST IN PEACE
We wish to take this opportunity to extend our sincerest condolences to Tom Mcasey (Wicklow) & family on the passing of his brother-in-law Paddy Behan in Wicklow recently. Condolences also are extended to Clara Power (Waterford) on the passing of her uncle George Cummings R.I.P. And our condolences to Kathy Slevin on the passing of her brother-in-law Michael Slevin in Donegal and to Christina Cahill (Cavan) on the passing of her dear father John. You are in our prayers.
500 CLUB DRAWS
Following on from the recent change of Covid restrictions we were afforded the opportunity to gather with our committee recently to undertake the 500 Club Draws from 2020 and we extend our heartiest congratulations to all the winners. The Draws were held at the Mazenod Social Club, Kilburn on Sunday 23 May 2021 under the supervision of Mairead Liston (Chairperson) Tess McGuire (Treasurer), Clara Power (Asst Treasurer), Michael Kearney (Asst Secretary), John Connolly (President), Sally Connolly (Vice President), Kathy Slevin (Executive) & John Giltenan (Secretary).
JANUARY 2020
1ST PRIZE £50.00 (113) Regina Reid (Leitrim Association)
2nd Prize £40.00 (3) Ned Dunbar (Carlow Association)
3rd Prize £30.00 (80) Longford Association London
FEBRUARY 2020
1st Prize £50.00 (176) Aisling Edwards (Galway Association)
2nd Prize £40.00 (39) Longford Association London.
3rd Prize £30.00 (93) Eamonn Cassidy (Meath Association)
MARCH 2020
1st Prize £50.00 (163) Sean Faughan (Leitrim Association)
2nd Prize £40.00 (275) Breda Kelliher (Morton Church London)
3rd Prize £30.00 (119) Joseph Curry (Leitrim Association)
APRIL 2020
1st Prize £50.00 (3) Ned Dunbar (Carlow Association)
2nd Prize £40.00 (108) Dan Keogh (Longford Association)
3rd Prize £30.00 (190) Robert McGuire (Waterford Association)
MAY 2020
1st Prize £50.00 (4) P.J. Maher (Carlow Association)
2nd Prize £40.00 (45) Mary Gill (Longford Association)
3rd Prize £30.00 (86) Paddy Doyle (Wexford Association)
JUNE 2020
1st Prize £50.00 (129) Terence Slevin (Meath Association)
2nd Prize £40.00 (39) Longford Association London.
3rd Prize £30.00 (28) John Giltenan (Limerick)
JULY 2020
1st Prize £50.00 (63) George Mullane (Fermanagh Association)
2nd Prize £40.00 (16) Marion Giltenan (Limerick)
3rd Prize £30.00 (27) Gerry McCarthy (Kerry Association)
SEPTEMBER 2020
1st Prize £50.00 (57) Mary Ganly (Longford Association)
2nd Prize £40.00 (96) Norbert Fitzsimons (Cavan Association)
3rd Prize £30.00 (163) Sean Faughan (Leitrim Association)
OCTOBER 2020
1st Prize £50.00 (97) Breda Harty (Kerry Association)
2nd Prize £40.00 (184) James Ryan (Meath Association)
3rd Prize £30.00 (215) Leitrim Association London
NOVEMBER 2020
1st Prize £50.00 (118) Maura Eivers (Offaly Assn)
2nd Prize £40.00 (69) Sean Connolly (Fermanagh Association)
3rd Prize £30.00 (94) The Byrne family (Carlow Association)
Congratulations to all the winners!
INAUGURAL WALK WITH HOPE
The inaugural ‘Walk with Hope’ event hosted by the Irish Chaplaincy took place on Wednesday 21 April 2021 and along with a delegation from the Irish Chaplaincy, Catherine Murphy from Irishradio.org and Sarah Finucane from the ‘Craic magazine’ joined members of the CICA London on this great occasion walking from the Sacred Heart Church Quex Road Kilburn and concluding at the Embassy of Ireland London in Grosvenor Place. On arrival at the Embassy we were met by the Irish Ambassador Mr Adrian O’Neill and Ms Isobel O’Connor First Secretary who gave the group a very warm welcome. They were joined by Mr Gerry Keany CEO of Cara Stationery Harrow who kindly organised a souvenir pin badge for the event at the request of the CICA London. Our sincere thanks to Cara Stationery for their kind and generous sponsorship.
Finally, sincere thanks to the dedicated team from the Irish Chaplaincy under the leadership of CEO Mr Eddie Gilmore and assisted by Ms Pat Gaffney who planned out an excellent route for the event and gave us all a very warm and inclusive welcome on their special day. Thank you to all our colleagues and friends and members who generously supported our efforts where a total of £1,000 was raised by the CICA London for the tremendous work that the Irish Chaplaincy does throughout England and Wales for the Elderly, Prisoners and Travellers.
Dear members and friends,
As we look forward to the Easter season we wish to take this opportunity to extend every good wish to all our members, county associations & friends for a very happy, healthy, and safe Easter. Once again we will be celebrating this special time in a very unique way, and we look forward to brighter and happier times ahead. For those unable to attend services over the Easter season in person, here is a reminder that you can follow with great fulfilment the services by visiting: ChurchServicesTV
You can tune into services from across London, the UK,& Ireland. There will certainly be a great opportunity to enjoy and appreciate the Easter services and you can also watch some of the services according to location and timings by visiting the www.youtube.com site and looking for your specific church where available.
I wish to take this opportunity to remind you that the CENSUS 2021 took place officially on Sunday 21 March 2021. I you have not completed or returned your census form either via the traditional paper format or online please do not hesitate in making sure that you avail of this opportunity.
We are pleased to report that both our Facebook and CICA LONDON website have made very positive strides once again in recent times and if you are a member of Facebook you can catch up on all the latest updates from ourselves and the other great Irish organizations across London, the UK & Ireland by visiting Facebook CICA London. Your comments and Feedback are always appreciated.
We wish to take this opportunity to extend best wishes to our members and friends & families who are recovering from recent illnesses and medical procedures and we wish to extend sincere best wishes and thoughts to our Life President Mrs Mary Allen (Waterford), Tipperary native and Executive Committee Member Mrs Margaret Alder, Mr. Michael Sills (Wexford) Life President CICA, and Kerry native Mr Vincent Harty from the Kerry Association London & CICA, who are all recovering after recent illness and procedures. Our thoughts, prayers, and wishes are with you all along with our members, friends and families.
Finally before concluding we wish to take this opportunity to highlight a Fundraising event taking place by the Irish Chaplaincy who are long-established friends and supporters of the CICA London, who are hosting a very special event “WALK WITH HOPE.”
taking place from 19th – 24th April inclusive to raise funds for their very dedicated work undertaken by their organization. The full details of their event are listed immediately below so if you wish to participate or make a welcome donation to their cause it will most certainly be appreciated.
Wishing you all every happiness during these Easter celebrations.
Yours Sincerely,
John Giltenan,
Hon Secretary,
Council of Irish County Associations London
Tel: 07956 855957
Email: johnglimerick@gmail.com
THE IRISH CHAPLAINCY - WALK WITH HOPE
500 MILES OF HOPE
From April 19th-24th 2021 people around the world will #walkwithHope to raise funds for the work of the Irish Chaplaincy. We want this event to raise particular awareness of the elderly Irish we support in Britain, whether living alone or in care homes, or in prison. We hope that many people will join with us in walking, whether a short distance or a long one. Let us know if you’d like to take part, and you can either use our Just Giving Page or simply do a walk and send a one-off donation. We look forward to having lots of great stories and pictures of people while you Walk With Hope!
This Proclaimers classic is being used, with slightly altered lyrics, for the Irish Chaplaincy’s Walk with Hope from 19th- 24th April 2021.
ST PATRICK'S DAY GREETING CARD
To celebrate St Patrick’s Day 2021, ‘The Irish in Britain’ have produced a series of ‘County Connections’ featuring representatives from various organisations across Britain & from each of the 32 counties of Ireland. Our very own CICA London Chairperson, Mairead Liston is representing her native Monaghan.
Through 32 short video profiles of Irish people in Britain, we introduce our digital series for St Patrick’s Day 2021 – We are the Irish in Britain: county connections. Each clip features someone from or associated to a different Irish county and together our 32 profiles take you on a virtual tour around Ireland. We asked our participants to kindly share a favourite spot from their county and what they would like to say to other Irish people in Britain after a tough year. Many county associations are part of CICA, so it is particularly appropriate to have its chair Mairead, a proud Monaghan woman, feature in our series.
Visit Green Curtain Theatre website: www.greencurtaintheatre.co.uk
Fhéile Naomh Pádraig
A Chairde,
I hope everyone as well. I wanted to let everyone know about the various events we have on around the St Patrick’s festivities, which is almost upon us: Fhéile Naomh Pádraig (Festival of St. Patrick.) A lunch and musical celebration in honour of the feast of St Patrick, taking place at the Mazenod Club Quex Road Kilburn NW6 4LS. On Sunday March 1st from 1.30 TO 6.30pm Traditional Bacon & Cabbage meal with desert, tea and coffee. 3 top class Irish musical acts Music Song and Dance Ticket price £15.
Aifreann fhéile Naomh Pádraig. (Mass for the Feast of St Patrick) We begin 8.30am sharp at the McNamara Hall The London Irish Centre 50/52 Camden Square London NW1 9XB. Followed Immediately by The Full Irish Breakfast, with Clonakilty Black Pudding (vegan option available).
Hí All,
Just a reminder on Fhéile Naomh Pádraig and to highlight the show will start at 12.30pm. We had to bring the show forward half an hour because of artists availability. But it is a great show line up and a great meal all for £15. Can you please spread the word and heavily support this event. If anyone knows any companies who might sponsor a full page colour advertisement in the brochure please let me know it is £100 for the page.
The CICA are holding a St Patrick’s Celebration Cabaret & Dance with a bacon & cabbage lunch on Sunday 1st March 2020 from 12.30pm to 6pm at The Mazenod Club, Quex Road, Kilburn. Four top quality acts of Traditional Music, Irish Dancing, classical singing and a dance band all for £15. Children’s meals available at £5.
‘Murder in the Missions’ Launch in London
IMAGE LEFT
Council of Irish Counties Chairperson Larry O Leary with Jean Harrington.
IMAGE CENTRE
Mary Allen in jovial mood with Jean Harrington and Cllr. Marian Spall and at the back Cllr Troy Gallagher and Cecilia Byrne of the Carlow Association.
IMAGE RIGHT
Emmet Halley and his family waving the Deise flag, with Tess McGuire (Carrickphilip), Mary Allen (Kilmeaden) and John Giltenan, Secretary of the CICA.
Life President Mary Allen, chairman Larry O’Leary and members of the Council of Irish Counties were delighted to recently welcome author of ‘Murder in the Missions’ Jean Harrington to the Kennedy Hall and O’Donovan Library of The London Irish Centre in Camden. The book ‘Murder in the Missions’ tells the story of Butlerstown born Fr Rufus Halley, a priest of the Columban order who was murdered in the Philippines. The audience included Rhenita Rodriguez, Minister at the Embassy of the Philippines London, Cllr Sabrina Francis, the Deputy Mayor of Camden Cllr Troy Gallagher, Deputy Mayor of Islington Cllr Marian Spall also from Islington, along with Fr Rufus Halley’s brother and several family members.
The event started with a welcome from Chairperson of Council of Irish Counties Larry O’Leary, then a short drama by John Dunne of Irish Theatre, about the lives of Fr Rufus and his fellow missionary Fr Des Harford. It was then over to Jean Harrington, who gave details of her journey in researching for this book and conducted a very interesting question and answer session with the audience after which everyone enjoyed a buffet and other refreshments wonderfully prepared by Maria Connolly of the London Irish Centre. The event was covered by THE MUNSTER EXPRESS.
IMAGE LEFT: Gus Casey of the Tipperary Association with the Halley family.
IMAGE RIGHT: Cllr Troy Gallagher, Cllr Sabrina Francis and CICA President John Connolly.