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.
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.
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.
Irish Heritage Vice Chair John MacIntyre has written this month’s report ion the May event (below), whilst Chair Mike Walsh has provided the pics and captions. If you think the evenings sound kind of interesting (and they are – very) go along to the Irish Centre this Wednesday 2nd June at 7pm. It’s free of charge and everyone’s welcome. This month is the Collins 22 Society Heritage & History Evening and Bill Martin, Society founder & Historian from Ireland, is also in attendance.
Irish Ballads, Manuscripts and Poetry
Section of crowd at Irish Heritage Event on first Wednesday in May
This was the very emotional and varied content provided on the evening of 6th of May 2010 by the Birmingham Irish Heritage Group. A wide variety of material is staged by the Heritage Group at 7pm on the first Wednesday of every month, upstairs at the Irish Centre, where admission and refreshments are free and the general public are welcome.
The Event commenced with Ann Cullen reciting The Ballad of Reading Gaol by Oscar Wilde. Ann explained that Oscar wrote it in exile in Paris, following his release from 2 years Hard Labour in Reading prison in 1897. It told the true story of a man who was hanged for killing his girlfriend “Each man kills the thing he loves, the coward with an unkindly word, and the brave man with a sword”.
Ann told us that following his failed Libel Suit against Marquis of Queensbury, who accused him of seducing his 20 year old son Lord Alfred Douglas, Oscar was tried for male homosexuality (Queen Victoria refused to outlaw lesbianism) and on conviction spent two years in Berkshire County Gaol. This destroyed his health and he died in exile in France aged only 46. His last words were “either that wallpaper goes dear boy or I do.”
Two prominent members of the Irish Heritage Group and friends enjoying the May event.
The ballad Roddy McCorley was played by John McIntyre and sung by the Dubliners. John explained that there were 3 unsuccessful Irish Rebellions in 1798, 1st – an extremely bloodthirsty revolt in Wexford, 2nd- A French led invasion of Connacht, and thirdly the United Irishmen in Ulster. Roddy McCorley was a brave protestant, who led an attack on Antrim town, and was hanged on Toome Bridge on the Derry/Antrim Border.
Mike Walsh recited a poem about the Great 17th Century Savers of Irish Manuscripts, and explained that all empires try and destroy the Native Culture, in order to strengthen their foreign rule. The brave Irish priest Seathrun Ceitiin (Geoffrey Keating 1570-1644) left his native Tipperary and was ordained in Bordeaux, following the Flight of Earls 1607, and returned as a curate in the parish of Knockraffin near Cahir in Tipperary.
Later he had to spend 6 months in a cave in the Glen of Aherlow and a total of 6 years on the run elsewhere to evade capture. During his 6 years in hiding he composed “Foras Feasa Ar Eirinn” which was the complete Manuscript of Irish History and Gaelic Culture. He managed to smuggle this out to the Irish College in Louvain in Belgium, where he died aged 74.
John Costello wise choice of banner for May Event from the several held by Irish Heritage Group.
He was assisted by Red Hugh 0’ Donnell’s sister in law Rosa 0 ‘Doherty who later helped the Four Masters assemble the Annals of Ireland in 1618 at Lennox Bridge on the Bundrowes River which borders Leitrim in Connacht and Donegal in Ulster. Both Keating’s and the Four Master’s work survive to this day, but only 2% of the original ancient Irish manuscripts used as sources, escaped loss or destruction.
John McIntyre also played ‘The Holy Ground’ sung by the Dubliners, explaining that The Holy Ground was an area of Cobh County Cork where many hard drinking seafarers loved fine girls resided there in the 19th Century. Mike Walsh also played the Fields of Athenry sang melodiously by Paddy Reilly, saying that it was a 1840’s Famine ballad set in Athenry Galway, which had been colonised by the Norman, De Bermingham family, whose descendants transported young Michael to Australia for stealing corn in order to feed his family.
Vice Chairman John MacIntyre speaking on the history of his choice of Ballads.
Finally John Costello played the sad ballad Grace, explaining that Artist Grace Gifford married her doomed fiancé Joseph Plunkett in may 1916 at Kilmanim Jail Dublin. This was on the night before he was shot by the Crown Forces, for spearheading the Easter Rising. John’s talk included the information that she never remarried, but carried on her artistry dying in Dublin in 1954.
Birmingham Irish Heritage Group Events are held on the First Wednesday of every Month, upstairs in the sumptuously renovated Irish Club in Digbeth at 7pm. The general public are very welcome, admission and refreshments free.
There’s a couple of things on tonight, both of which look well worth a visit:
John Mostyn tells me that Ike Turner’s old backing band are playing with an amazing singer in the Adam & Eve tonight. Go along for some ‘pure R&B brilliance’ from 8pm – free gig.
April’s Irish Heritage meeting saw Birmingham author Ann Cullen talk about the story and inspiration behind her latest book Deceit and Settling in the West. It was a very interesting session, where Ann spoke about her childhood move from Galway to Birmingham, her journey from Copywriter at the Birmingham Post and Mail to a creative writer, her sources of inspiration and how she is working to overcome a current case of writer’s block. A video of her talk is above, and below is Irish Heritage Vice Chair John Macintyre’s review of the evening:
Authoress Awakened
Salthill in Galway
The April Event of the Birmingham Irish Heritage Group presented local author Ann Cullen who read extracts of her latest novel – Settling in the West. This insightful novella is about two Birmingham Irish daughters who swapped urban Erdington for rural Galway and described their marriages to Galwaymen. It deals with their reactions to living in an ancient environment, where local customs persist, such as the lighting of a huge bonfire on Midsummer’s Eve – St Johns Night in June.
Settling in the West also entailed an exorcism of a sad spirit – Cath, who had been wrongly convicted of sorcery in 1692. Her only crime being an old woman in the woods, using herbs for healthy concoctions, but this was enough to have her hanged in the extremely unforgiving and fearful 17th century.
Ann Cullen fielded several questions about her Novella, especially concerning the Midsummer’s Eve bonfire, which many people agreed was an intrinsic part of rural Ireland today, where Christianity and the old pagan customs combined. Sagacious Sammy from Belfast remarked that the Irish Church had hijacked the old ways and incorporated them into its own beliefs.
A storm in Salthill
Mike Walsh asked her inspiration for her story, to which Ann replied it was based on her two daughters who enjoyed Salthill childhood holidays, and decided to revisit Galway where they met a couple of gorgeous Galwaymen and married them, and that Cath had been haunting rural Galway from 1692 until a recent exorcism. Ann Cullen was also questioned about the Evil Martha in her second story Deceit, which chronicled a Maniac Murderess in Meadowfield. She replied that thankfully it was mainly fiction, but also based and her experiences as a copywriter for the Birmingham Post and Mail where she had encountered all walks of life.
Irish Heritage Events are held one the first Wednesday evening of every Month upstairs at the luxuriously appointed Irish Centre in Digbeth Birmingham. Doors open from 7pm for a fresh exciting Event which commences at 7.30 pm. Complimentary Beverages and Biscuits are served afterwards from around 8.30 pm, and the general public are very welcome, so bring your friends.
At the Irish Heritage Forum event this evening local author Ann Cullen will be talking about her new book of two short stories - Deceit (‘a turbulent love story full of twists, turns, murder and deceit’) and Settling in the West:
Settling in the West is a story of three young Birmingham girls. Two of them living in the West of Ireland.
Kate, the youngest of the girls moved to County Galway to be near her older sister Mary who was married to Tom. They had three children.
Kate misses her sister and feels that Mary needs support after she receives a letter from her saying Tom was in the nursing home… again.
Sean came to Kate’s assistance when she had a car accident, whilst driving through Galway. They fell in love, married and had a child. Kate desperately wanted to settle down in the beautiful countryside of the West but superstitions and myths unsettled and disturbed her.
Sean realised that he was in danger of losing his family, home and way of life.
Sarah was the middle sister. She only ever yearned to marry and settle down in Birmingham with Joe her childhood sweetheart, in spite of mom’s disapproval.
Catch Ann talking about her work at The Irish Centre tonight, Wednesday 7th April at 7pm. All are welcome – no charge.
Tomorrow evening (Thursday 8th April) there’s a special Irish Heritage meal at The Irish Centre at 7pm: In Memory of Charlie Leydon. Please pay at the Irish Heritage event tonight if you’d like to go.
At this month’s Irish Heritage event, as always on the first Wednesday evening of the month in the Irish Centre, Leslie Blennerhasset gave us an Historiography of Oliver Cromwell in Ireland, which by most accounts sounded like a pretty grim affair. A video of the talk is above. Here’s Irish Heritage Chair Mike Walsh’s reflections:
Cromwell Wicked or Just Misunderstood
A question explored with calm deliberation by Leslie Blennerhasset in front a large audience, at the March Event of the Birmingham Irish Heritage Group, held on the first Wednesday of every month in the Irish Centre, High Street, Digbeth. The manner of his presentation, a careful and dispassionate examination of major events in Cromwell’s life, and his record in Ireland was obviously the result of skillful research.
He carefully explained how Cromwell’s reputation for ordering the massacre of the helpless in Ireland, spread far and wide, despite the fact that the “rules of war “ in the 17th century gave the conqueror of a fortified town a free hand, if surrender had been refused. Leslie dealt with the shipping by Cromwell of many thousands of Irish people to the West Indies as slaves.
St Patrick’s Day National Holiday in Montserrat
Interestingly a member of the audience was from the island of Montserrat in the West Indies, and was able to throw light on the fate of the Irish “slaves”. Montserrat is the only place outside Ireland to celebrate St Patricks Day as a National Holiday, and I feel sure Heritage Group Members wished them a Happy St Patrick’s Day. The people of Montserrat like the people of Ireland have had much to endure, in their case from the atrocity of slavery to the volcanic eruption which caused such havoc in recent times, and left much of their island unfit for habitation.
Picturesque Island in West Virginia named after the presenters antecedents the Blennerhasset's.
In his introduction Heritage Group vice Chairperson John McIntyre, described the presenter Leslie Blennerhasset as an” erudite historian of Anglo-Irish descent”. The name Blennerhasett is fairly rare, but has recorded Irish roots going back centuries. Another rare distinction is that there is an island named after them situated in the Ohio River in West Virginia in the United States. I hasten to add that it is not owned by Leslie or indeed the Blennerhasset family.
Island named after Presenters Family
However Leslie has an even more valuable distinction in that he is a member of The Birmingham Irish Heritage Group. Regrettably I do not have any information to hand on what “act of daring do” by the Blennerhasetts, resulted in them having an island named after them. However it cannot have required more daring than to stand up in front of an Irish audience, and imply that Cromwell might have been less than a hundred per cent wicked.
The massacre at Drogheda on Cromwell's orders.
He teased out the contradictions in Cromwell’s character, for example he was a great supporter of parliament, yet when he became Lord Protector he sidelined parliament. Attention was drawn to the fact that the killing of non-combations in the civil war in England was limited to about 5%, in stark contrast to the large-scale slaughter of non- combatants in Ireland.
Women Disfigured as Punishment
A contribution from a member of the audience felt this may have been due to the attitude of the English to the Irish and offered as evidence an occurrence at the civil war Battle of Naseby in the East Midlands. Parliamentry forces captured the Royalist train of camp followers, mostly women who carried out the essential work of washing, cooking, mending and storing food. The soldiers found that the women could not speak English, so obviously” they had to be Irish”.
Owen Roe O'Neill,skilful general who sailed in from Spain to lead Irish evicted by the plantation.
Therefore they were harlots because being Irish Catholics they were not lawfully married, so the solders proceeded to slit their noses, as a punishment. The Parliamentary force was right in that the women could not speak English, but in fact they spoke welsh, being the lawful wives of protestant Welsh soldiers who were serving the King.
To Hell or to Connaught
So the already ingrained prejudice against the Irish provided fertile soil, for Cromwell to cultivate into a crop of slaughters and deportations in Ireland. Even so he is mostly remembered in Ireland as being personally responsible for the policy expressed in the edict “to Hell or to Connaught” and in the saying” the curse of Cromwell on you”. The most skilful of tacticians General Owen Roe O’Neill, one of the wildgeese who had sailed in from Spain to lead the Irish in resisting the continued foreign plantation of Ulster was denied the opportunity of stopping Cromwell. Just two months after Cromwell’s invasion he died in County Cavan.
The last wish for Cromwell adroitly expressed by the very knowledgeable John McIntyre, is that Cromwell should have been hanged many years before he eventually swung on the gibbet. He eventually swung on the gibbet because when the royalists returned to power in England he had already died. However they were not going to be denied their vengeance, so rather strangely they hanged his dead body.
Free Entrance and Refreshments
Montserrat only land outside Ireland with St Patrick's Day national holiday,note Irish names.
Many equally interesting and challenging subjects exploring a very broad range of Irish Heritage are presented at 7pm on the first Wednesday of every month upstairs at the newly refurbished Irish centre in High Street, Digbeth. The Public are very welcome, no entrance charges with free refreshments to follow.
Charlie Leydon, an Irish Heritage Group committee member and a great cog of the community, sadly passed away earlier this month. Irish Heritage Chair Mike Walsh has written a lovely tribute to a great man, who will be missed by many:
A Bold Spirit Departs
Charlie (in front) with friends and Committee members at Irish Heritage Dinner 16th December 2010.
Friends in the Irish Heritage Group were stunned and saddened to hear of the sudden death of Charlie Leydon, at the relatively young age of 52. He was a very reliable and hard working, member of the Heritage Group Committee. A man of robust personality, who to use a cliché, “was never backward in coming forward,” but always willing to back his words with hard work.
Charlie reciting The Lake Isle of Innisfree at Birmingham Irish Heritage October Event 2009.
The prize draw which is run at each months Heritage Group Event was “his baby”, its success due to Charlie’s gift for selling. He was a man of ideas; at our committee meetings a stream of ideas came from him, on how to build up the Group, and to improve its links with the Irish community. He had sound ideas on how to build a fellowship, between the committee and members, and to develop social interaction between all supporters.
In December 2009 we held the first ever Christmas Dinner, for members of the Group and friends, at the refurbished Irish Centre. It was judged a great success, and consequently will be followed by many others. This was entirely Charlie’s proposal, approved by the committee, and then organised with great gusto by Charlie. At the dinner we were all so pleased that we asked Charlie to speak, and he stood up and gave a fine warm hearted speech.
Charlie with friends after his talk and recital at the October 2009 Event if the Irish Heritage Group.
We were not to know that this would be the last time we would see him, as due to illness he was unable to attend further events, and died on Monday 8th of February 2010.Everybody will remember Charlie, and not just for a short period, because I feel sure the Heritage Group will create some lasting reminder of the man and his work. He was a strong supporter the Republic of Ireland Football Team, Sligo Gaelic Football, The Irish Rugby Team and Moseley Rugby Club.
Although living in a city, Charlie’s emotional core seemed deeply affected by many childhood summers spent in Ireland. His family connection is with Ballinafad, on the shores of the picturesque and Isle studded Lough Arrow in Co. Sligo. close to the Roscommon border. It is comforting to learn that he was able to travel to Ireland at Christmas, to see once again, his elderly Aunt.
Evocative representation of Departing inspired by the Yeats Poem,The Wild Swans at Coole.
During the October 2009 Event of the Heritage Group, Charlie stood up in front of the assembled gathering, to speak on his visits to Ireland, and meeting Irish Americans in Arizona of all places. He concluded by reciting the famous W B Yeats poem, The Lake Isle of Innisfree which drew much applause. In view of what was to happen to him, and so very soon, the final verse of his recital seems to take on a very deep and personal meaning.
I will arise and go now, for always night and day
I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey,
I hear it in the deep heart’s core.
He clearly had a great regard for the work of Yeats, County Sligo and all Ireland. When the Heritage Group has created a fitting and lasting tribute to Charlie Leydon, those who view it, may recall a famous quote by Yeats “Think where a mans glory most begins and ends, and say my glory was I had such friends”.
Michael Walsh – Chairman, Birmingham Irish Heritage Group.
