Screening of The Irishmen in The Spotted Dog

Last night was the special screening of the documentary film The Irishmen for BBC current affairs programme Inside Out, who are doing a documentary about film-maker Philip Donnellan, based in Birmingham in the 60’s and 70’s. Keeper of the Philip Donellan archive Dr Paul Long, of Birmingham City University, was kind enough to introduce the film and let everyone know about an opportunity for a freelance archivist – contact Paul Long (details at bottom of link) if you are interested.

Inside Out were keen to collect reactions from Birmingham’s Irish community about the documentary and they were not disappointed.  Many regulars from the Irish Heritage Group showed up, including Douglas, who was kind enough to bring a souvenir of his early days in Birmingham with him.

After the screening the BBC interviewed a few people.  They are not sure when the resulting show will be aired, but promised to let me know when it will be.  The Irishmen is a really lovely film about the experience of Irish labourers in 1960′s Britain – why they came here and the culture-shock and back-breaking work they faced, with a beautiful soundtrack of live folk music to boot.  If you get the chance to watch it, please do.