The Irish in Britain in Old Photographs & Memories
The Irish have always been proud of their contribution to Manchester. Over the course of three volumes, Irish Manchester combines many previously unpublished photographs with well-researched captions to create a fascinating picture of the Irish community in the city: suburbs, people, shops, clubs, buildings, events and entertainment of the past.
Packed with memories, anecdotes and people, these are the ultimate guides to Manchester’s strong links with the Emerald Isle.
By Alan Keegan & Danny Claffey
Featuring over 200 photographs, many previously unpublished, Irish Manchester is a celebrations of memories. It combines interesting images with well-researched captions, and includes personal reminiscences, many written by those who have been involved in Irish Life over the years.
The Irish have a rich and varied history where Manchester is concerned, and within these pages some views will be reassuring familiar, while others will have changed or are beyond recollections.
It shows the Irish both at work and at play, with images of numerous pubs, clubs, social events, including festivals and the many parades. It also takes a look at sports and entertainment, from the Gaelic Athletic Association to traditional Irish dancers.
This book is an enduring and nostalgic account, of interest to Manchester Irish and anyone who knows and appreciates the contribution the Irish have made to a great city.
By Alan Keegan & Danny Claffey
More Irish Manchester, is another celebration of memories of Irish people and their descendants in the vibrant and cosmopolitan city of Manchester. The majority of the photographs in the book were taken in the 1980s when there was a real resurgence of the Irish community in the city, from the opening of the Irish World Heritage Centre to the forming of many new county associations, GAA clubs, Irish dancing schools and the dynamic emergence of young second and third-generation Irish traditional musicians, many of whom are now internationally famous in their own right.
Many of the personalities featured in the book have sadly passed away, but all of them leave a happy, lasting memory and the knowledge that they successfully helped to gel together the Irish community of Manchester in a very positive, engaging and often entertaining way.
By Alan Keegan & Danny Claffey
The Irish have always been proud of their contribution to Manchester.
Alan Keegan and Danny Claffey’s Irish Manchester Revisited combines many previously unpublished photographs with well-researched captions to create a fascinating picture of the Irish community in the city. Among the themes featured are suburbs, characters, shops, clubs, buildings, events and entertainment of the past.
With two chapters being contributed by notable locals Joe Casserley (who has been involved with local radio for a number of years) and Rose Morris of the Irish World Heritage Centre, this book is packed with memories, anecdotes and people, and is the ultimate guide to Manchester’s strong links with the Emerald Isle.
Alan Keegan
Alan was born in 1962 and is the youngest of five children. His parents Felix and Margaret (also known as ‘Dotie’) originated from County Leitrim. Alan has held a number of jobs which have included media and sport. He is currently the Director of Business Development for the Faculty of Culture and the Creative Industries at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan). He supports the team which as won the Premier League more times than any other, Manchester United.
Danny Claffey
Danny Claffey was born in December 1947 in Prestbury, Cheshire. His parents who came from Westmeath and Donegal brought up their five children in the Withington area of Manchester. Danny attended St Gregory’s Technical High School in Ardwick, leaving at the age of sixteen. Various jobs followed such as shop assistant, labourer and gardener until he went off to Australia in 1970 with his pal Jimmy McCafferty. Three years later, Danny returned to Manchester and a year later was married to Susan. They have three children. Danny worked for British Gas for twenty years and started taking photographs in his spare time for the Irish Post in 1984. He is an avid supporter and season ticket holder of Manchester’s top Premiership team, Manchester City.
The Home of Irish Manchester 