There's A Lot I Haven't Asked

We continue from where we left off in our last episode; Ireland is coming into view and so we hear about experiences of going over to visit family throughout the 70s, 80s, and 90s. We end the episode (and the series!!), listening to thoughts and reflections on growing up with Irish heritage in Manchester. It's a heartfelt close to the series, full of pride, nuance, and conviction in the enduri...

Serving up an extra dose of storytelling, the voices we’ve been getting to know over the past 2 episodes share some of the special and poignant tales that have been passed down to them. We also we hear about the anticipation and build up to childhood summer holidays in Ireland as we get ready to travel across the Irish sea. The podcast is produced by Blueprint Studios and music throughout the seri...

Continuing our journey with those born in Manchester from the Irish diaspora, we hear about the significant and profound role Irish dancing and music plays in everyday life. Dezi recounts the spine-tingling moment he played a tune on the fiddle for his sisters and JeanLouise treats us to a beautiful slow air she learned in her Comhaltas class. The podcast is produced by Blueprint Studios and music...

We move onto a whole range of new voices as we meet those born in Manchester to parents who emigrated from Ireland between 1945 - 1975. Together, they paint a vivid picture of life inside a typical Irish household in Manchester: the sights, sounds, smells, and traditions that shaped them. Ann shares a cherished poem passed down by her mother - one she calls a lifesaver - while Claire talks about h...

Through vivid memories stretching into the 1990s, we hear how traditional Irish music offered a sense of home, how The Troubles in the north of Ireland cast a long shadow over daily life in the city, and how newer waves of Irish migrants were welcomed with empathy and kindness into Manchester’s evolving community. This episode continues to spotlight personal stories from the Irish diaspora who set...

Stepping into the vibrant world of dancehalls and céilís, we return to the voices from our first two episodes and explore the social customs that shaped them as we delve a little bit deeper into their experience of settling in Manchester throughout the 50s, 60s, and 70s. We also hear about connecting with family back home and discover why letter-writing was more than just a pastime but a lifeline,...

Tracing the footsteps of those who emigrated from Ireland to Manchester, we uncover the ache, hope, and doubt of leaving home behind, first impressions of a new city, and the varied experiences that shaped those first crucial days in Manchester. Each voice carries an individual perspective; together their stories reveal a quiet resilience and the many shades of starting over. Don’t forget to follo...

Through heartwarming memories of childhood in rural Ireland, we learn about life before emigration. From neighbours gathering in to storytell around the open-fire to gazing up at a sky covered in millions of stars, we’re transported back in time. We also learn how working on the land from a young age was a normal part of daily life and how, for most, education had to be sacrificed in order to prov...

An immersive audio series revolving around powerful stories of resilience, belonging, and community from the Irish in Manchester. Created by Hannah Donelon and with original music composed & arranged by Michael McGoldrick, this 8-part series is a storytelling experience full of heart, hope, and humour.  In 1971, the Irish made up the largest migrant minority in the UK. This series aims to pres...