Did you know that throughout the month of March every year, Irish History Month takes place? An initiative brought about by the Irish Arts Foundation(IAF) in Leeds, Irish History Month exists to promote the many positive contributions that Irish people have made in Leeds and also to introduce new audiences to the vibrancy of Irish arts, heritage, culture, and history.

Richmond Hill Community Centre on Thursday 2nd March
A morning of traditional Irish music hosted by local singers and musicians. The area of Richmond Hill in East Leeds, historically known as ‘The Bank’, was the first area of settlement for the Leeds Irish community who arrived in the city during the Irish famine between 1845 and 1849.

Kirkstall Abbey Visitor Centre on Tuesday 7th March
Part of the ‘1152 Club: talks at Kirkstall Abbey’ series, Associate Researcher and Lecturer in History at Leeds Beckett University, Dr Aidan Enright uncovers the world of Charles Owen O’Conor, ‘The O‘Conor Don’ (1838–1906), one of the most prominent Catholic landlords and Liberal MPs of his generation.

Headingley Farmers Market on Saturday 11th March
Dancers from the Helen Rowland Academy of Irish Dancing will be performing.

Headingley Enterprise & Arts Centre on Tuesday 14th March
In collaboration with Film at HEART ‘The Quiet Girl’ will be screened: set in 1981 rural Ireland, a withdrawn nine-year-old girl, Cáit (Catherine Clinch), experiences a loving home for the first time when she spends the summer on a farm with distant relatives in County Waterford, Cáit blossoms in their care, but in this house where there are meant to be no secrets, she discovers one painful truth. Based on the renowned story Foster by Claire Keegan. ‘The Quiet Girl’ received 11 nominations at the Irish Film & Television Awards (IFTAs) in March 2022 and won in seven categories. Written and directed by Colm Bairéad, the film was the first Irish-language film to showcase at the Berlin Film Festival and win the Best Film award at IFTAs.

Ruth Gorse Academy (South Leeds) on Thursday 16th March
IAF Director, Des Hurley, will chair a discussion and presentation, ‘Untold Stories: The Leeds Irish Community.’ Untold Stories is a community archive project undertaken by the IAF. Initially funded through the Heritage Lottery Fund, the project looks at the experiences of the emigrant Irish community in Leeds in the second half of the twentieth century, particularly their settlement patterns and cultural traditions such as music, dance, song, and sport.

The Terminus (Meanwood) on Friday 24th March
An early evening of traditional Irish music
– ‘Rush Hour Trad’- hosted by local musicians.

Armley Mills Industrial Museum on Friday 31st March
‘Exploring the Musical Crossover between Ireland, Yorkshire and Lancashire.’ In collaboration with Leeds Museums & Galleries. Three northern musicians, fiddle players Mikey Kenney and Owen Spafford with Stuart Graham on Bouzouki, will perform and discuss the influences and music of Yorkshire and Lancashire following completion of research that was supported by Arts Council England. Ticket numbers will be limited and include free entry to the museum.

Chapel FM Arts Centre – March
Throughout the month an Irish educational and cultural exhibition, ‘Timeline’ can be viewed.

Leeds City Centre on Sunday 12th March
Organised by the Leeds St Patrick’s Day Committee, the Leeds St Patrick’s Day Parade leaving Millennium Square at 10.30am.

Everyone is welcome and we look forward to meeting you at one or many of these events.