It was a day to report, to plan and to share experiences.
After a welcome from the ICC’s Director William Foote, Irish in Britain’s newly elected Chair, Gerard McHale opened the day.
Gerard, who had served a year as interim chair talked about his family’s roots in a story of migration from Ireland that echoed those of many in the room. His grandparents left Mayo in the 1950s and later returned, others stayed “working as nurses in the NHS or as labourers, down pits and on the roads – part of that great generation who helped nurse and build Britain.”
Such themes ran through the day. In his address, Brian Dalton, Irish in Britain’s CEO, paid tribute to the vital role played by member groups who deliver services every day as “representing grass roots leadership at its best”.
He described Irish in Britain’s submission to the Irish government’s Diaspora Strategy:
“We called for sustainable investment in communities like ours – not as beneficiaries of heritage, but as partners in shaping the future. The global Irish network, at its best, is a force for shared values: inclusion, social responsibility, and respect for diversity at a time when those values are under pressure.”
He said the current debate about immigration meant there was a need to champion those values and “remind people that migration built much of what Britain takes pride in today.”
Ambassador
Ireland’s Ambassador to the UK, Martin Fraser, also addressed the meeting thanking everyone for their work and the enduring contribution made by Irish migrants to Britain over centuries.
He also referred to the fact that he will be leaving to take up the post of Ambassador to the United Nations in New York next summer.
But he expressed his continuing commitment to Irish survivors and told the meeting he intended to remain as chair of the National Centre for Research and Remembrance project in Dublin. He explained it was going to be “a massive archive of all the records of all the institutions, but also a museum so we can tell survivors’ stories, we’re hoping in terms that that they regard as truthful and accurate and just… so I am going to keep doing that until it’s finished.”
Panel
One of the highlights of the day was a panel discussion on Irish End-of-Life Care, which was moderated by Dr Mary Tilki, health researcher, consultant and former Chair of Irish in Britain.
The panel featured Mark Byrne, CEO of Woking and Seam Beares Hospices; Shauna Mulligan, Director of Irish Community Services; Ellie Rogers, CEO of Leeds GATE; Bernárd Lynch, former Priest and LGBT activist; and Brian Dalton CEO Irish in Britain.
Each gave their individual perspective rooted in professional and personal experiences in the community. These powerful contributions included accounts of supporting terminally ill service users; the impact of the stigma of HIV and Aids; cultural traditions of Travelling communities; and the ethos and expertise of good palliative hospice care.
Brian gave an overview of about the national consultation undertaken by our Meitheal Muintire Project, in partnership with Innisfree Housing Association.
Team work
Through the day Irish in Britain team members reported on their work. Our Policy and Heritage Manager Rosa Gilbert updated attendees on the campaign for Philomena’s Law, led by MP Liam Conlon, to prevent Irish survivors losing benefits if they accept a financial payment from the Irish government scheme.
Rosa reported that Irish in Britain was “Concurrently making representations to DWP Ministers and corresponding with stakeholders: Department for Children, Disability, Education in Ireland, Survivors Special Advocate in Dublin, member orgs here in Britain and Irish Embassy.” Many delegates contributed to the discussion and emphasised what an important issue this was for many of the people they support in their services.
Rosa also reported on the Irish in Britain’s heritage work, both supporting members in their own oral history projects and responding to continuing interest in our own exhibition ‘Look back to Look Forward: 50 Years of the Irish in Britain’. This went on display at Suffolk Archives, Ipswich in June 2025 and she is in discussions with Queen’s University Belfast about taking the exhibition there during the Fleadh Ceol in August 2026.
David Baldwin Head of Special Collections, London Metropolitan University, the home of the Archive of the Irish in Britain also spoke, he highlighted the importance of the archive, how students engaged with its materials and invited members to visit.
Health and Wellbeing Officer Lauren Cadell talked about the Green Hearts heart health campaign, the Cuimhne programme on dementia awareness and her commitment to focus on mental health in the community, including among those who deliver support and care.
Our Healthy Ageing Coordinator Hayley Reynolds reported on our Healthy Ageing Project initiatives.
These included two successful Community Health days, the fun had at a Walking Gaelic Football pilot scheme, plus new resources such as the “30 Day Brain Boost” pack and Health Directory.
Community Development Officer Aisling McDowell, reported on the training, resources and projects Irish in Britain is working on and delivering to support member groups of all sizes, including the Annual Volunteer Awards and the New Leaders Programme.
She also welcomed the nine new member groups who joined in the past year.
Irish in Britain’s Associate Consultant Diane West delivered a session on impact evaluation.
Elections
Election results were announced with Colum Mackey, Chair of Lewisham Irish Community Centre elected as a new Trustee and three serving board members: Catherine Casserly, Sinead Mac Lua and Eamonn Delaney elected for a second term.
One motion proposed by Irish Community Care called for the development of culturally informed safeguarding training resources to enhance competency for organisations engaging Irish Diaspora communities in Britain was passed unanimously.
Reflecting on the diverse community representation Irish in Britain’s CEO summed up the day, “Ní neart go cur le chéile. There is no strength without togetherness.”