{"id":96023,"date":"2018-11-12T16:47:30","date_gmt":"2018-11-12T16:47:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.tg4.ie\/?page_id=96023"},"modified":"2019-07-01T12:55:14","modified_gmt":"2019-07-01T11:55:14","slug":"gaeil-uk-on-tg4-gives-unique-insight-into-irish-in-britain","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dev.tg4.ie\/en\/information\/press\/press-releases\/2018-2\/gaeil-uk-on-tg4-gives-unique-insight-into-irish-in-britain\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Gaeil UK\u2019 on TG4 gives unique insight into Irish in Britain"},"content":{"rendered":"

Separated by only 60 miles and with a complicated shared history, the Irish are the single largest immigrant community in the United Kingdom. There are over 6 million people in Britain who claim an Irish grandparent and over 500,000 people living in Britain were born in Ireland. On his journey Se\u00e1n meets with the many generations of Irish immigrants who now called the UK home. The long established Irish community have deep roots in the UK and have assimilated into every aspect of life there while continuing to preserve their own very distinctive Irish identity.<\/p>\n

Programme 1 \u2013 Liverpool, Leeds & Huddersfield<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

In the first episode Sean Mac an tS\u00edthigh arrives in Liverpool, the entry point to Britain for millions of Irish, a city with a long established Irish community. From here he travels across the Pennines to Yorkshire – to Leeds and Huddersfield; where after the Second World War thousands and thousands of Irish men and women arrived to help re-build a shattered country. While cities and towns like Leeds and Huddersfield might no longer be popular destinations for young Irish immigrants, the large 2nd and 3rd generation Irish community continue to have a strong and unique presence here.<\/p>\n

Programme 2 \u2013 Scotland<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

In the second episode Se\u00e1n ventures North to Glasgow to meet the large Irish community living there. With a strong vibrant Donegal presence in the city, Se\u00e1n speaks with Hudie \u00d3 Fearraigh about the many changes he has seen in the city over the years, before Hudie returns home permanently to Gaoth Dobhair. Se\u00e1n visits the set of a new and emotive stage production based on the tragic deaths of ten young potato pickers from Mayo who died in 1937 in a fire on a farm in Kirkintilloch. Se\u00e1n then gets an insight into the Irish, Catholic charitable ethos that still remains strong in the education system.<\/p>\n

Programme 3 \u2013 Birmingham & the Midlands<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

In the third episode Se\u00e1n heads to the British midlands to meet the large Irish community living there and discovers how the unique Irish support network helps those in the Irish community most in need. While in Birmingham he revisits a dark period for the Irish community in the city when the IRA bombing campaign meant a difficult time for the Irish in Britain. Becoming a professional footballer in England is a dream held by many Irish youngsters, while thousands have failed Sean meets with one Irishman who finally fulfilled that dream after many attempts.<\/p>\n

Programme 4 – London<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

In the final episode of the series, Se\u00e1n arrives in London to meet the long established Irish community living there. For decades large parts of London such as KiIburn, Cricklewood, and Camden Town were identified as being Irish, and though these areas are no longer predominately Irish they remain very much part of the Irish identity in the city. Se\u00e1n finds a vibrant and deep rooted community on both sides of the Thames where their talents and culture are well respected. The Irish are now to the fore in the city and can benefit from all that London and Britain can offer.<\/p>\n