Irish Heart, Coventry Home Oral History Project

Hello, my name is Ciaran Davis. I work for the Coventry Irish Society as project officer for the Irish Heart, Coventry Home oral history project. We have interviewed 58 people who migrated to Coventry and are putting on a major exhibition at the Herbert in March 2018. There are a couple of things that hopefully some forum members could help me with: 1- Pictures and dates of Irish clubs - I have been to the History archives a fair few times and got pictures of some of the clubs (such as the Banba, the Kerrymans and Finbarr's), but I was wondering if any people in the forum have any pictures. Similarly, it is difficult tracing dates for these clubs. 2- Coventry-Irish pictures/objects - Again we have collected a fair amount of objects and photos, but if anything else comes to mind that would be good to lend, please get in touch. 3- Coventry's Catholic Churches - The Birmingham Diocese archive is unfortunately closed at the moment, so I have struggled to get photos/ documents about the Churches, again could any forum members help? Kind regards, Ciaran

Hi Ciaran Welcome to our friendly forum - let's hope you get a good response from our members for your project

Of interest might be these views of St. Osburg's church, Hill Street, from Benjamin Poole's histories of 1847 and 1852, conveniently showing the new church before and after the spire was added, plus his 1852 text below. (Better quality images have been emailed Ciaran. ) Benjamin Poole's History of Coventry, 1852, page 89 : THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. A Roman Catholic Chapel was erected at the top of Hill-street, in this City, in the year 1807. Its inadequacy for the requirements of the community to whose religious services it was devoted, together with the inroads of decay, rendered its demolition necessary a few years ago, and on the 29th of May, 1843 (the Rev. Dr. Ullathorne then holding the priesthood), the first stone was laid of the present modern gothic structure, which, for durability of materials, excellency of workmanship, and appropriateness of design, supplies conclusive evidence that the Roman Catholics of the present day are by no means behindhand of their forefathers in the art and true conception of church-building. This church stands immediately adjoining the site of the old chapel, in a commanding point of view, and was dedicated under the name of “The Church of the most Holy Sacrament.” It consists of nave, with clerestory, north and south aisles, chancel, lady chapel, and sacristies. There is a tower at the south-west corner of the church, intended to be at some future day surmounted by a spire, rising, according to the design, to the height of 130 feet from the ground. The entire length of the church inside is 115 feet, its breadth 50 feet. The whole of the interior finishing is highly beautiful, rich in ornament, and abounding in the impressive symbols belonging to the Roman Catholic faith. The Ladye Chapel is a perfect gem of the kind. There is an excellent organ, built by Messrs. Bevington, of London, which stands in a small gallery at the north-west corner. The services are performed by members of the order of St. Benedict ; and adjoining the church is a house or presbytery, constructed on the principle of a Benedictine Priory.

Coventry's first Catholic church after the dissolution. Church on Little Park Street on Art UK from the Herbert collection.

I've just begun to read the report on the Irish in Coventry. I think it's going to be fascinating! Thank you for posting the link, Helen.

I think I've mentioned this before but my mum’s parents were both from Northern Ireland. Sadly as was the case with many - one being Protestant and one Catholic - when they decided to marry both their respective families shunned them and any connections with any maternal relations were lost at that point. They'd actually only met here in England though. My grandfather had come over to work for Standard and was invited to a party where he met my grandmother - who was only there as she had been invited up from London with friends to attend - where she was working as a housemaid. My mum only visited her relations a few times - my grandfather was from Coalisland in County Tyrone and my grandmother from Enniskillen in Fermanagh. I do recall her saying when they went over on my parents honeymoon, travelling to Belfast they hired a car from Paddy Hopkirk’s dealership and travelled to somewhere very remote to visit my mum’s uncle. He apparently lived in a tiny whitewashed cottage in the middle of nowhere, and she said you could step in the open fire grate and look up the chimney to see daylight! I spent many happy years as a child in Earlsdon where we visited them every weekend - especially Sundays after mass at All Souls. At that time (mid-late 70's) Earlsdon was very much seen as the Irish area of the city with many large Irish descended families living and it was very much a case of everyone knowing each other. In fact my mum was actually born in Earlsdon in Berkeley Road North so when I returned to living here, Earlsdon was very much like home to me - and continues to be. Edited by member, 7th Sep 2021 10:54 am

A large chunk of my mother’s family came from the Republic of Ireland but any connections to the place seem to have been entirely lost. The same seems to be true of my Highlands and Devon connections. My ancestors seem to have moved on emotionally as well as physically. The process has been continued down the line as my generation is spread across the country. It's funny that I'm more attached to Coventry than all the places I've lived.

Helen, you definitely need to go in the Honorary Coventrian list!

Awww thanks Neil. Maybe if I ever get enough of the model to show, I might deserve a mention.

One of my great grandmothers was born in Dublin, along with two of her brothers. Her eldest brother was born in London, and her seven younger siblings were all born in Wolverhampton. I’ve never found a reason for the Irish connection. Why might a couple, married in London, and with one child, move to Dublin c.1860 - is there something in history to support such a move?

I'm still fascinated as to why my x3 great grandmother came over here from Germany, Cliff. She was born over there in 1829 but for some reason was in West Haddon in Northants by 1861 where she was with her husband - my x3 great grandfather, who was a blind traveller! Coincidentally (and apols as slightly straying off topic) I was at Rob’s the other day and it turns out his family came from the same village - West Haddon. What a small world!