The next Irish Heritage looks to be equally as interesting – local historian Chris Upton will be speaking about ‘A New Home in Birmingham – Early Irish Settlers in the Town’. It is next Wednesday 1st September from 7pm in The Irish Centre and is free.
Celebrating Irish Birmingham
Dr James Moran of Birmingham Irish Community presenting a Celebration of Irish Birmingham
An evening of celebration with a difference, celebrating the achievements of the Irish in Birmingham not just now, but for well over two centuries. The little known stories of the Irish in Birmingham, even as early as the eighteenth century and how they made their way in the Birmingham of every period.
Available to all, in the very recently published book by a young man, Dr James Moran, a vibrant product of the Irish Diaspora, born and raised in Birmingham. He gave an up beat presentation, of the contribution of the Irish to the growth of the city which is inherent in the title Irish Birmingham, as preference to Birmingham Irish.
Irish Heritage Group
Obviously very articulate, and delivered in a manner which energised the entire gathering at the August Event of the Birmingham Irish Heritage Group, upstairs at the Irish Centre. The story of the Irish in Birmingham from way back was revealed for the first time by James, enhanced by a PowerPoint presentation, displayed on a large screen.
He transported us to the world of theatre late 18th century Birmingham, and how Irishman William McCready actor-manager had made a success of the Theatre Royal in New Street.
Section of enthralled crowd at Dr, Moran's Presentation to Birmingham Irish Heritage Group
How, in order as they say to “get bums on seats”, he staged an anti French production during the war against Napoleon, but subtly weaved into it an Irish character that was contrary to usual depiction of the comic but stupid “Stage Irishman”. His Irish character Patt Bowling in his production The Magic of British Liberty had a hand in converting the popular image of the Irish, from wild blundering despised figure to capable controlled and loyal Brother Paddy.
Daniel O’Connell Guest of Birmingham Politicians
But how does this sit beside the reality of the British Liberty as enforced in Ireland, where Irish Catholics were forbidden to vote, buy land or publicly practice their religion. It is said that politics is the art of the possible, and this is even truer when you are running a business, taking your message so far that it ruins the organisation, benefits nobody.
This work of seeking opportunities of influencing views must have continued amongst the Irish in Birmingham, for a couple of decades later The Liberator Daniel O’Connell attended a Dinner and addressed monster meetings in Birmingham, as a guest of The Birmingham Political Union. This Birmingham Organisation was campaigning against the injustice of not having an MP to represent its large number of residents, and presumably saw similarities in the situation where much larger numbers of Irish Catholics were denied an MP.
St. Peters Church Destroyed
Monster Meeting of Birmingham Political Union in Daniel O'Connell's time
Incidentally James recounted how a fan of his work had contacted him, and explained how on his several visits to Birmingham Daniel O’Connell had used a particular chair. Long after O’Connell’s time, this chair had been preserved in St Peters Church in Broad St. Then during the hurricane of redevelopment this church disguised as a factory to escape attack when built, a heritage site of Birmingham Catholic and now Irish History was destroyed, and its contents likely transported to the rubbish tip.
However perhaps something was rescued, so look with a keen interest at any imposing chair when you visit a different restaurant or pub, it may have letters or a mark of O’Connell on it. Regrettably the recognition of Irish aspirations by the Birmingham Political Union was discarded as soon as that organisation made progress. Later that major personality in Birmingham Politics Joseph Chamberlain declared himself an ardent unionist.
Family of Padraic Pearse in Birmingham
James also drew attention to the part of his book which revealed the almost secret story, that James Pearse, father of Padraic Pearse lived and worked in Birmingham before immigrating to Ireland. No history of Irish Birmingham could be complete without a history of the early St Patricks Day celebrations, and this has not been neglected. More recent St. Patricks Days cannot be mentioned without recalling the work of Father Joe Taffe who was mainly responsible for the revival of the St. Patricks Day Parade and Festival, in which we take so much justified pride and pleasure in today.
Daniel O'Connell who campaigned for rights of Irish Catholics at home and abroad
I do not hesitate to voice the opinion of the keenly interested numbers, gathered at this Irish Heritage event, that Dr James Moran’s work is a major academic advance in documenting and consequently celebrating the work of the Irish in Birmingham. The layout of the book clearly bears the imprint of the academic, with footnotes so numerous that they open up a further avenue of exploration of Irish Diaspora history, which could keep one occupied for a lifetime.
Cheerful Experience
It was a cheerful experience to see and hear a very articulate young man born and bred in Birmingham and consequently without an Irish accent, unfurling his colours and using his academic talents to celebrate Irish Birmingham. His approach demonstrates that it is possible to work on preserving and celebrating ones origins and heritage, without surrendering to the feeling that one is prevented from doing so by the constraints of the society in which one lives and builds a career.
Copies of the book went like the proverbial “hot cakes” at this Irish Heritage Event. These events are held on the first Wednesday of every month upstairs at the Irish Centre in Digbeth commencing at 7pm. General public welcome with free refreshments following each event. Details regarding this valuable, rare and very readable book are available from Jenny Howard, Sales and Marketing Manager, Liverpool University Press, 4 Cambridge Street, Liverpool L69 7ZU. Alternately just turn up at the next Birmingham Irish Heritage Group Event at 7pm on Wednesday 1st of September.
It is also available to peruse in the archives of Birmingham Central Library, on Floor 6.
Having read your article on the Digbeth is Good website I have a few additions and comments that you and your group may want to consider. Starting with the end of your document ‘Regenerating Digbeth’ I believe the list of organisations and representatives may need to be re-evaluated with some important additions added, additions from organisations that play an important part in the ‘festival’ and events life of Digbeth.
Capsule, who run Supersonic Festival and The Flatpack festival play an important part in Digbeth’s diverse cultural life – these are specific, and internationally recognised festivals; Shout Festival, which is predominantly based around Hurst Street also adds to this diversity by using venues within the Digbeth area. If a holistic marketing programme is to be developed the reputation of these activities needs to be recognised and utilised.
Besides the research you have quoted there was market research done on the St Patrick’s Festival and Branding research undertaken on Digbeth by Students from Birmingham University College in 2006, 2007 and 2008
the Festival and the Forum should have this information. I have also attached a report which I was commissioned to write in 2006 by the Irish Forum concerning the Irish Quarter Cultural Strategy
this work was undertaken following discussions at the Irish Quarter Board concerning what the ‘Irish Quarter Offer’ was to be.
I have also attached a copy of the Irish Quarter Business plan submitted in March 2006 to the board; it was the discussion from this document that produced the commissioning of the cultural and venue development document.
While these document are ‘of their time’ there are still some elements that ring true. Any marketing needs to take account of the huge changes that have taken place in Digbeth since these reports:
The variety of pubs that now serve the area
The improvements in the Irish Centre and the development of The Institute.
The reports did not consider the developments along the Custard Factory (Devonshire House), Fazeley Street, Floodgate Street, the Bond, Ikon or Vivid, developments that have increased the diversity of provision as well as organisations and businesses that have established themselves in the area.
Whilst entertainment provision has increased over the past 2-3 years, so has the number of places to eat and stay in – while this has been alluded to in the past, it is now becoming an integral part of people’s visit to Digbeth, the ‘Digbeth offer’.
Lastly, whilst there are a large number of ‘creative and cultural’ organisations, there are also an increasing number of social enterprises being developed utilising the facilities and location of the area – these organisations can only add to the rich diversity of activity and provision offered in Digbeth.
There’s a little Filum fun at the Spotted Dog this coming Monday with Irish Destiny – ‘The Great Spectacular Film Of The War In Ireland’. A little clip from the old 1926 film is above. According to the Wikipedia blurb, the film has quite an unusual back-story in once being lost but then found again:
Irish Destiny is a 1926 directed by George Dewhurst and written by Isaac Eppel to mark the tenth anniversary of the Easter rising.
The film was considered lost for many years until in 1991 a single surviving nitrate print was located in the US Library of Congress by the Irish Film Institute’s Irish Film Archive who had the film transferred to safety stock and restored. The Irish Film Institute then commissioned a new score for the film by Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin.
We’ll be watching it at 8pm in the Spotted Dog on Warwick St this Monday 23rd August. Hopefully see you then!
This month’s Irish Heritage really was a gem – Drama Lecturer James Moran gave a presentation around his book Irish Birmingham – A History, charting the rich political and cultural exchange between Ireland and Birmingham that’s been taking place since the early 1800′s, thanks to Birmingham’s many Irish residents. James wowed the audience with Birmingham-Irish historical highlights such as:
The first organised St Patrick’s Day event in Birmingham was in 1869 in the Town Hall, organised by the church to try and discourage Irish congregations from fenianism. The event, which had lots singing, dancing and speeches, became an annual event and was the seed from which Birmingham’s famous St Patrick’s Parade grew.
The Old Rep Theatre on Station Street was set up on the model of The Abbey Theatre in Dublin by Barry Jackson and his amateur actor friends, fans of W B Yeats and Lady Gregory’s activities. Although initially encouraging, W B Yeats wasn’t always as big a fan of theirs.
Brendan Behan was prompted to join the IRA by his granny, who moved to Birmingham in the 1930′s to live with an IRA bomb-maker who managed to blow up his own house. When the police arrived, they found Behan’s gran trying to hide gelignite down her cleavage. Her defiant speech in court inspires Behan to head over to Liverpool to become an IRA bomber, where he promptly gets caught and locked up in Borstal.
The Dubliners’ Luke Kelly was a hopeless labourer in Birmingham whose landlady kicked him out for singing too loudly.
There’s loads more obviously, but I could never fit all the great facts James poured out into one post! You can view some of James’ presentation in the video above and, if that tempts you, buy his book on Amazon.
The next Irish Heritage event will be at 7pm in The Irish Centre on Weds 1st Sept. If you’re going, be sure to check out Irish Heritage’s book collection whilst you’re there – they’ll be available for borrowing library-style soon!
Unfortunately the images written about below aren’t available as Benjamin’s Stone’s whole archive isn’t online yet. (Wouldn’t it be fab if it were?)
The next Irish Heritage event is at The Irish Centre this Wednesday 4th August at 7pm. It’s free and everyone is welcome.
Benjamin Stone Photographic Collection 1880-1914
Birmingham Irish Heritage welcomed Eminent Historian Jim Ranahan who is the Senior Curator of Local History at Birmingham Library. He showed us 21 photographs and expertly explained their significance. Jim told us that Benjamin Stone was an industrialist with paper and glass factories in Nechells and Duddeston. Stone collected Natural History and photographs, becoming an expert photographer and was known as Mr. Snapshot.
Bell Tower of the ancient Abbey of Evesham 1900
Based in The Grange Erdington, he became the first mayor of Sutton Coldfield and then Conservative MP for East Birmingham from 1895 until his retirement at 70 in 1909.Not nostalgic but wanting to preserve a record for posterity of a quickly changing era, Stone used his camera well.
1st Photo – Much Wenlock abandoned Priory Shropshire 1870 with a train in the background, contrasting the ages of this Olympic Games town.
2nd photo – Morris Dancers – Stratford upon Avon 1904 in costume.
3rd photo – Benjamin Stone at the Hardman Iron gate (built by the prominent Birmingham catholic iron makers) leading to river terrace at Houses of Parliament in 1899. Stone is Bald and Bearded.
4th Photo- Michael Davit Irish Nationalist MP for South Mayo 1897 at Westminster. He is easily recognizable by missing an arm which he lost as a child labourer in a Lancastrian mill following his eviction from Connaught home aged 5. Davit had served 7 years hard labour for IRB Gunrunning from a Birmingham armory, and then co established the Land League in Mayo, which ousted Captain Boycott in 1880.
Charcoal Burner Wyre Forest 1896
Although Stone was politically opposed to Davit, he photographed him in a smart hat and trimmed beard by the Hardman gate in the Houses of Parliament. Thus giving him the gravitas that many British Newspapers had not, when they had used photos of Michael Davit as unkempt upon release from Jail.
5th Photo – Padraig 0’ Neill Nationalist MP for Kilkenny 1897. Benjamin Stone also photographed his political adversary 0’Neill in a dignified manner by Hardman gate in House of Commons. 0’Neill had been jailed frequently for opposing Irish Evictions and had shown Eviction Photos on a boat 20 yards from Parliament.
6th Photo St Patrick’s Grave Downpatrick, County Down, taken by Belfast Photographer Robert Walsh and purchased by Stone.
7th Photo Clonmacnoise, Offaly, Ancient Round Tower by Robert Walsh.
8th Photo Tally Prayer Sticks, Goughane Barra, Cork + Rag Branch from Holy Well, County Derry by Robert Walsh recording ancient Irish customs.
The ‘Horn Dance’ at Abbots Bromley, Staffordshire – visit to the vicarage September 1899
9th Photo – Edmund Fourmier- Dalbay outside Bangor Cathedral, Wales 1902. Fourmier Dalbay was a Breton Irishman and secretary of the Pan Celtic League, composed of Bretons, Cornish, Welsh, Manx, Irish + Scots.
Stone had photographed him at the Eistedfodd in Cyrmric Costume.
10th Photo- Harry Blake, Athlone pursuivant of Heraldry- Dublin Castle 1899
Stone photographs Blake majestically holding the Irish Sword of State.
11th Photo- Ancient Stone Circle Waterville County Kerry 1899. Benjamin Stone uses the light in this photo on the 4 stones to promote Irish tourism.
12th Photo – Atlantic Telegraph Station, Waterville County Kerry 1899.
Waterville employed over 70 Telegraphers 2 years before Marconi received the First Trans Atlantic Wireless message in St Johns, Newfoundland.
Tissington Well Dressing, Derbyshire. The Hands Well and its decoration May 11th (Ascension Day or Holy Thursday) 1899
13th Photo Brian Boru’s Harp in Trinity College Dublin, Stone used 3 books as a rest for this 10th century harp.14th photo – Interior of Daniel 0 Connells Tomb Glasnevin Dublin 1899.15th photo Treaty Stone Limerick 1899. Stone utilizes the light to good effect on this stone where Patrick Sarsfield signed up for peace in 1691.
16th photo- 7 MPS outside Glendalough Hotel Wicklow 1899. Stone was one of the 7 strong Parliamentary delegation and got his servant Mercer to take it.17th photo –White City Shepherds Bush London Olympics 1908.
18th photo Franco-British Exhibition London 1908. The White buildings on the water resembling French North Africa gave its name to the White City Olympics which coincided with the Exhibition.
19th photo- Irish Mock Village at Franco-British Exhibition 1908. This Irish Village called Ballymacourtney showed villagers in rural dress with a donkey, this advertised Irish Home Industries especially knitwear.
20th photo- American Olympic Team at Westminster in 1908. The USA won 23 medals (more than France, Italy and Germany combined), 10 were won by Irish American Athletics club of New York, including John Baxter Taylor who was the first Black Sportsman to win a gold medal. Stone respected Taylor, but frowned on the Irish American Captain Martin Sheridan who refused to lower the Stars and Stripes when he paraded past King Edward 7th. The American team was invited to Westminster by Irish Nationalist MPS.
LEFT: Andrew Macdonald at Highland Meeting, Inverness, 1903 RIGHT: Mr. Wmn Willett
21st photo- Jasper Tooley Nationalist MP for Leitrim. Stone photographed Tooley in a respectable pose, despite Tooley, upsetting the British, and his wife who he feuded with constantly. When she died he returned letters sent to Mrs. Tooley as ‘No longer residing at this address please Try Hell’.
After appropriate applause, audience involvement was invited. Socialist Sammy McEwan remarked that it was politically important how you took a photo, and although he did not share Stone’s values, he admired him for his artistic integrity and asked where his grave lay. Jim Ranahan replied either Erdington or Sutton Coldfield. A lady remarked that not many factory workers were represented in photos and Jim replied that Benjamin Stone wished to photo peasants because he wished to record them for posterity.
Mike Walsh ventured that despite omissions, Stone has left us with a great record, and it was gratifying to see his fellow Mayoman Michael Davitt portrayed respectably by Conservative Stone at Westminster. Donegal man John Doherty asked if the Stone collection was available to the public, Jim Ranahan replied that providing you bring in ID, then you have a 4 years ticket for records, which includes the collection on Microfiche to preserve it for future generations.
Benjamin Stone managed to take excellent photos until his death in 1914 aged 76. Birmingham Irish Heritage Events are held on the first Wednesday of each month at 7pm upstairs in the Irish Centre. Admission free with complimentary beverages and biscuits.
JFK FOR FLOODGATE STREET – Seems the old mosaic is destined for Floodgate Street following last night’s consultation meeting at The Irish Centre. Even better news is that:
Proposals to revamp the artwork by including more contemporary figures such as Nelson Mandela – described as “crazy” by Cabinet Member for Leisure, Sport and Culture Martin Mullaney – were rejected.
The Birmingham Irish Community Forum are inviting everyone to a Community consultation event on 22nd July 6.30pm – 8.30pm at the Irish Centre to give feedback on potential sites for the old JFK Mosaic to be ‘re-housed’ within the Irish Quarter.
The JFK Mosaic was commissioned and paid for by the Birmingham Irish community in the 1960’s. It is a significant part of the Irish community’s heritage, and with the support of Birmingham City Council the mosaic will imminently be reinstated within the Irish Quarter.
BICF have been working with a local artist Harry Blackett and the original artist’s son Oliver Budd to investigate appropriate sites for the mosaic. We would like your opinions and feedback, please support this project by coming along to the Irish Centre on the 22nd July 2010.
We will be honoured to welcome Councillor Mullaney to the event who is a prominent advocate for the project and Patricia Riley, BICF Chair.
Refreshments will be provided along with:
Visual images of potential sites
Architectural model of the Irish Quarter
Film footage and images of the original JFK mosaic
An opportunity to chat with the artists about the findings
This is the community’s chance to let Birmingham City Council know what they’d like to see happen to this unique snap shot of history from the 60’s. Council suggestions to the BICF have so far included incorporating members of the community into the mosaic.
Just to finish off with, here’s a short old 1968 news piece of the mosaic in the making I found on the British Pathe archive site (click the image to view):
KENNEDY MOSAIC MURAL
For more information you can contact the Birmingham Irish Community Forum on 0121 772 9424 or email info@irishforum.co.uk.
I was sorry to have missed June’s Irish Heritage evening but I don’t completely miss out, as Chair Michael Walsh has written a full and insightful report on what sounded like a fantastic evening:
Fast Hard Hitting Drama
Michael Collins at Downing St
Not just drama but a dramatic documentary film, containing precious early footage of the titanic intelligence war between Michael Collins and British Intel lance in Dublin in1919/21. A even larger than normal crowd at this Birmingham Irish heritage Event, sat spellbound and gripped by the fast moving action in this historic footage.
Irish Heritage Every Month
It was brought to us by the Collins 22 Society, and presented by its UK Secretary Peter Duffy and Organiser Martin Dunne, who fielded questions and prompted deep and lively debate. This Birmingham Irish Heritage Event was held on the first Wednesday in June 2010. Heritage Group Events are held on the first Wednesday of every month and commence at 7pm upstairs at the Irish Centre, High St. Digbeth, Birmingham.
On the first Wednesday of July, that is the 7th, Birmingham Archives will be presenting their collection of very early and historic photographs of Ireland and the Irish. General public are welcome with admission and refreshments free.
Collins 22 Society
Martin Dunne,organiser Collins 22 Society, dealing with questions and debate on Collins
The gripping and fast moving historic film presented by the Collins 22 Society entitled Get Collins, aptly named as it was about the intense efforts of British Intelligence and Military get Michael Collins dead or alive. We were drawn into the efforts of Collins and the I R A to win a vicious war, with each side trying to penetrate the other for top secret information on planned moves.
The film revealed intriguing detail British efforts to identify what in today’s pop culture would be known as the “Main Man” i.e. the charismatic leader, so that they could assassinate him or strange as it may seem negotiate with him, as the opportunity presented itself. In graphic detail we were shown how one of their efforts came to grief.
Credit to Both Sides
A sergeant major named Jack Byrens retired in England and operating under the alias John Jameson, succeeded in persuaded Irish activists in the union movement in London, that he was anxious to help in the struggle for Irish Independence. I R A Officers were also persuaded that he was genuine, and subsequently a meeting was set up with Collins. At the eleventh hour it was discovered that his plan was to kill Collins on behalf the British, consequently he was apprehended and executed by the I R A.
Strangely this was a story that brings credit to both sides, a dramatisation of his execution was shown including the last words of this brave man” God Save the King”. The I R A were the only ones to have witnessed this and they could have kept it hidden, but instead they put it on record, acknowledging the act of a brave man adhering to his principles as the I R A adhered to theirs, credit due to both sides.
British Rely On IRA Analysis
Peter Duffy, Secretary Collins 22 Society presenting exciting film Get Collins
Subsequently this exciting film revealed an even stranger and greater secret, a second British Agent trying to approach Collins. This part of the great story of Collins was unknown to me and probably to most of our readers. This man Andy Cope was a secret negotiator empowered by the highest levels of the British Establishment, to make contact with the number one name on the wanted list. A man with a very high price on his head, Michael Collins.
A difficult and dangerous task, given that the previous approach had been from an assassin. A very risky mission for Cope whose life depended on the belief of the British that I R A intelligence would correctly analyse the situation, and understandably not shoot first and answer questions later.
Bloody Sunday
Collins did meet him several times, and the first steps were taken on the path to more formal negotiations, which evently led to independence for 26 out of the 32 counties. The film drew us into these historic events, by presenting a vivid picture of how before and during the approach by the British Agent Cole, British forces rampaged through Dublin and the rest of the country bringing terror by night and day.
Original Poster for Croke Park match invaded by British military
The audience watched with baited breath the “truth being stranger than fiction” episode of the “Cairo Gang”, British Agents brought in from the Middle East and hidden about Dublin, on a mission to assassinate the entire top leadership of the IRA in Dublin, thus decapitating the organisation in one simultaneous strike.
However Collins was one step ahead and uncovered the plan, then struck first sending his men out to make simultaneous raids, on the more than a dozen secret addresses of the British agents, shooting 14 of them dead, on what became known as Bloody Sunday 1920. Hours later British forces invaded Croke Park, killing several spectators and even one of the players.
Never Under Estimate the British
All war is a grim business, and regrettably sometimes it includes getting your retaliation in first. British strategy included maximum terror, secret assassination missions, and high level secret negotiations occurring at the same time. One of commentators in the film said it seemed like the right hand did not know what the left hand was doing as far as the British were concerned.
Section of enthralled crowd at Irish Heritage Event
An understandable viewpoint, but I would not be so sure. Never underestimate the British, the left hand may indeed not have known what the right was doing, but I feel sure that the directing minds at top level did. Great credit is due to Collins and his comrades in navigating their way through that labyrinth to remove 26 of the 32 counties from foreign rule. Not just any foreign rule but that of a powerful empire well practiced in the art of divide and rule.
Wednesday July 7th Next Exciting Evening
A truly memorable evening with an exciting film which must be seen again by everybody. Remember next Heritage Event first Wednesday July 7th upstairs in the Irish Centre, at 7pm, general public welcome with free admission and refreshments.
Today is Digbeth is Good’s second birthday! Please join me for celebration drinkies and a slice of the above cake, lovingly made by Mrs Rawlins. We’ll be in The Spotted Dog from 6pm this evening.
So that’s Friday and Monday with me firmly planted in my second home The Spotted Dog. I’m planning to spend a little of the time in between checking out the MOM (Meeting Of Minds) exhibition at the Sauce Gallery, Custard Factory. I’m also hoping to sample the delights of the newly opened Cleary’s on Moseley Street, the phoenix to rise from the ashes of the lovely pub that was demolished along with some back-to-backs on Cheapside to make way for a barren building site. Grrrr….
