‘Irish Heart, Coventry Home’ Relaunch Night | 16th June 2023
August 18, 2023
We were delighted that 120 people attended what was a wonderful celebratory night of our Irish history project relaunch, ‘Irish Heart, Coventry Home’.
Download David Cairn's Speech here
The project that documents the contribution of the Irish community that came to live in Coventry between 1940-1970 was originally displayed at the Herbert Art Gallery in March 2018. Fabulous speeches were given by Dr Kieran McCarthy, who was sworn in as Cork City Lord Mayor on the 23rd June 2023, and our Honorary President, David Cairns who was 90 years old on the 7th June!
We thought you would appreciate the transcript of David Cairn’s short speech. There were 6 speakers in total in what was an emotional night where we remembered the contribution of that wonderful generation of Irish that contributed so much to the city. Thank you to everyone that attended!
The exhibition is now on permanent display at our 2nd Floor Eaton House offices, it is open from Monday to Friday from 2pm-4pm. We look forward to seeing many of you there.
Linda Ervine was born into a working-class Protestant family in east Belfast. She is the manager of the first Irish language centre to be based in a loyalist area. When she began learning Irish in 2011, no one would have conceived of the idea of an Irish language centre in the heart of east Belfast but despite the many difficulties, Turas is now one of the largest providers of Irish language classes in Belfast. She is the founder of Scoil na Seolta, the first Integrated school to teach through the medium of Irish. In 2021 she was honoured to receive the MBE for her work promoting the Irish language. In 2023 she was given an honorary doctorate by Queen’s University and in 2025 she was made a member of the Royal Irish Academy as well as an honorary degree from Trinity College in June that year and an honorary degree from the Open University in October 2025. In March 2026, she was appointed to the Irish Council of State by President Catherine Connolly. About the event: Thursday 11 June | 1pm-1.45pm. This is a FREE online webinar. To book, please email us: cis@covirishsoc.org.uk with names and contact emails of all attendees. Registration closes 04 June 2026. The online link will be emailed to attendees prior to the event. With support from: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Reconciliation Fund.
Join us as we celebrate St. Patrick's Day 2026 in Coventry with events, live performances, plenty of craic and lots to discover!
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.
