Community Engagement Update - Looking back on 2024
December 19, 2024

We have been working hard to represent The Coventry Irish Society and to build
partnerships for the benefit of the Charity. Here are some recent pictures of just
some of the many activities we have been involved with.

 Special invitation to Cork
In recognition of the phenomenal work that our Trustee, Kay Forrest, has done to build everlasting relationships with Coventry and its twin-city, Cork, over the past decades, she was hosted by the Lord Mayor of Cork during her recent visit back to her native County Cork. (Image - header, Kay Forrest with the Lord Mayor of Cork)

Irish in Britain AGM 2024
CIS’ Caroline Brogan and Manisha O’Malley went to the Liverpool Irish Centre to represent The Coventry Irish Society at the Irish in Britain AGM. It was an excellent opportunity to build connections with other Irish organisations across Britain and to raise CIS’ profile. We were delighted that our joint motion with ICC, Manchester, and Fréa to strengthen support for survivors of Mother & Baby homes was passed unanimously.

First Pop-Up-Gaeltacht at the Irish Embassy GB

Bez Martin, Kathi Leahy, Caroline Brogan, Colette Franklin with Deputy Ambassador, Orla McBreen

Peace & Reconciliation Workshop to mark the 50th anniversary of the Birmingham Pub Bombings

CIS’ Caroline Brogan at the Peace and Reconciliation Workshop

Business conference at the Birmingham Council House, November 2024 where the Lord Mayor of Birmingham hosted a delegation of Irish businesses and civic dignitaries.

CIS’ Caroline Brogan pictured with (1) Lord Mayor of Clare and civic dignitaries (2) Chair of West Midlands Irish

Business Group, Eileen Schofield and Irish Deputy Ambassador to GB, Orla McBreen, (3) Lord Mayor of

Birmingham

Irish in Britain – Healthy Ageing Project

We are working with Irish in Britain to support their fantastic Healthy Ageing Project. We will be giving a short presentation about CIS at their Healthy Ageing Project Event in Manchester in March 2025 and will be holding various health awareness sessions at CIS.

L-R – Mina Sonariwo of Irish in Britain with CIS’ Simon McCarthy, Caroline Brogan and Manisha O’Malley

Emigrant Support Programme

We are very grateful to the Government of Ireland’s Emigrant Support Programme for the vital support they provide. CIS’ Caroline Brogan was at the Irish Embassy for the announcement by Minister Seán Fleming of over £6.4 million to fund

organisations and projects supporting Irish organisations across Britain. Further details here.


World Mental Health Day

CIS’ Caroline Brogan attended a very insightful panel discussion, which included speakers from iCAP, at the Irish Embassy, to raise awareness on World Mental Health Day.

Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce

CIS is a member of the CW Chamber of Commerce. We have held some productive meetings with their team to ensure that we get the best out of membership, have featured on their platforms, and have attended their networking events, such as the launch night of their Annual Awards, at The Belgrade Theatre (pictured below).

University of Warwick

Following successful meetings with the Warwick Institute of Engagement at The University of Warwick, we have met with various departments at the University, including their Law Department, and Medical School, to plan collaborative projects and events for 2025 and beyond, such as a free pop-up health check clinic at CIS and breast cancer awareness session. More details to follow shortly! Image: CIS’ Caroline Brogan with Professor Helen Wheatley, Director of the Warwick Institute of Engagement

October 30, 2026
Join us at our Ciorcal Comhrá Irish Language Christmas Party on Wednesday 2 December, 11.00 – 1.00 pm. A donation of £3 pp would be greatly appreciated. Light refreshments will be provided, but please feel free to bring your own food and drink too.  All welcome, but advanced booking is essential please. To book a place please email us: cis@covirishsoc.org.uk
October 30, 2026
Coventry Irish Society launches new #GaeilgeOnTheGo flashcards to support and encourage learning and practising new words in Irish. Check out our next set of #GaeilgeOnTheGo Halloween flashcards and see how many words you know! Night Time We’re delighted to share our next set of #GaeilgeOnTheGo Irish language flashcards, featuring useful vocabulary relating to time, night-time and sleep. A lovely way to practise a little bit of An Ghaeilge while the seasons change.
October 25, 2026
You can now find us at Sun Alliance House, Coventry.
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