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

Coventry Irish Society Launches Films to Secure Permanent Self Sustaining Irish Heritage Centre

October 13, 2025
Coventry Irish Society is pleased to announce the publication of 2 new promotional films about the Charity’s work with the aim of securing a permanent Irish Heritage Centre.

Stephen Travers Presents The Miami Showband Massacre Story

September 22, 2025
Join us for a powerful and moving evening with Stephen Travers , bassist with the Miami Showband , as he shares his personal journey of survival, loss, and campaign for truth following the 1975 Miami Showband massacre – one of the darkest chapters of The Troubles. This unique event, hosted by Coventry Irish Society and supported by the Irish Government's Department of Foreign Affairs' Reconciliation Fund , explores themes of peacebuilding, resilience, and fight for truth and justice. More information on Stephen and his new book can be found here. Don't miss this opportunity to hear firsthand from a voice of history and courage. Admission is free, but places are limited – booking is required. To reserve your ticket, please book an advanced ticket through Eventbrite below. Wednesday 15 October 2025. Doors open: 6.00 PM | Event: 6.30–8.00 PM 📍 Coventry Irish Society, 2nd Floor, Eaton House, Eaton Road, Coventry CV1 2FJ

Beginners’ Irish Language (5 Week Course) Autumn 2025

September 15, 2025
Beginners’ Irish Language Autumn Course 2025 with Dr Ian Malcolm Professional Irish language teacher and acclaimed Journalist, Dr Ian Malcolm, will deliver a bespoke online course in Beginners’ Irish. This course will consist of 5x classes and will take place entirely over Zoom on Saturday mornings, with Dr Ian Malcolm. Course details: Saturday 4 October 2025 - Saturday 1 November 2025 with 5x classes on Saturday mornings, delivered via Zoom from 10.30 am – 12.30 pm (including a 20 minute break). The fee for this course is £70. Course materials: The class will use the textbook, Irish For Beginners (which is in the link below). This book costs in the region of £7.00 - £10.00 and it is strongly recommended that students purchase their own copies in advance of the course. You can find details of the course textbook here. Please contact us at cis@covirishsoc.org.uk or telephone 024 7625 6629 to obtain a booking form. Registration closes 30 September 2025 (or when course capacity is reached). Early booking is strongly recommended.
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