CIS Welcomes the Coventry Irish Friendship Society
February 5, 2024
Established in 1978, the Coventry Irish Friendship Society is a weekly get together of Irish people (now all Irish Elders) every Friday between 12pm-2pm.
The Society’s founding members were Sheila Lenihan (RIP) Joan Clarke, Mick McGloughlin (RIP) Joe
McCarthy and Rita McCarthy (RIP).
The Irish Friendship Society has recently moved to Coventry Irish Society after Flannellys Club closed
at Christmas, and we are delighted to host them here!
Each week the group has some lunch, plays Bingo and games and generally a good chit chat and
socialising.
The Groups early days meetings were at a meeting hall in Spon End, then to St Osburg’s Club before
moving to Flannellys Club where they met every Wednesday (laterally Fridays) for over 23 years! Asking some of the members about the early days they mention the need for Irish people to get together in the context of the tensions that were around for the Irish community at that time (the impact of the troubles on the perception of the Irish community in Britain).
Former Founding Member and Chair of the group, Mike McGloughlin used to organise meals/events for the group at the Jaguar Club in Coundon where Mike was a Finance Director.
Today, the group has a meal out every 5- 6 weeks. The group is self-funding, and the members contribute £2 per-week.
New members are always welcome!
Those interested in joining can come to the group any Friday 12pm-2pm and become a member.
Join us for a special St. Patrick's day Lunch Club from 12:30pm - 5:00pm at CIS Office, Eaton House | £10 per ticket . Blessing of the Shamrock Mass - 12pm at St Osburg's Church | Blessings of the Shamrock kindly provided by our twin City, Cork. Enjoy an Irish Stew and buffet, a special visit from St Patrick, plus live performances with music from Frankie and the McHugh School of Irish Dancers. Tickets are available at the office. Please contact us on 02476 256629 or get in touch at cis@covirishsoc.org.uk or on Facebook.
Discover more about the history of the Irish in Coventry with this free talk on 19 March, 2026 . Doors open at 6:00pm | Event: 6:30 - 7:30pm. Booking essential - To book, email: cis@covirishsoc.org.uk or call: 02476256629
Come for the Gaeilge - stay for the craic! We're hosting a pop-up Gaeltacht this March in celebration of St. Patrick's day at The Four Provinces, Allesley, Old Road. Friday 13 March from 6pm - All levels welcome - from fluent to a cúpla focal!
