Coventry Irish Society Launches new Margaret Keane Irish Language School
March 28, 2024
Coventry Irish Society is delighted to announce their new Irish language school named in tribute to the late Margaret Keane.
The Keane family, from Coventry won their appeal in 2021, to have their mother's gravestone marked with an Irish inscription "In ár gcroíthe go deo" ("In our hearts forever"), reflecting Margaret’s Irish heritage. It was also to include a Celtic cross and a GAA logo, given her involvement with Gaelic games in Coventry.
The family battled for almost three years to win a landmark appeal to have Margaret Keane's final resting place marked with Irish words.
One of Margarets’ daughters, Bez Martin said “As a family it is such a privilege that Coventry Irish Society have named their Language School after mum. The fight we endured to express our final message to mum on her headstone in Irish should never have happened, and as we fought to challenge that discrimination we were joined by supporters across Coventry and beyond. This tribute to mum will be a lasting legacy for all the right reasons, thank you to Coventry Irish Society and we hope that many people reap the rewards that learning Irish can bring, connecting with their heritage, or simply celebrating the joy of the Irish language and sharing it with others”
Margaret Keane who sadly passed away, aged 73, in July 2018
Beginners classes of the ‘Margaret Keane Irish Language School’ are starting on Thursday 18th April 5pm, 2nd Floor Eaton House, 1 Eaton Road, CV1 2FJ. It is an 8 week course costing £40.
The new course is in addition to an intermediate class that runs every Thursday 6.30pm-8pm. Please contact Coventry Irish Society on 02476256629 or email cis@covirishsoc.org.uk for further information.
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.
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 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.
