Irish. Here. Heard. is a creative storytelling project bringing people of Irish and mixed-Irish heritage together to explore identity, heritage and what it means to be Irish in Britain today.
As 'Irish in Britain' recognises, "Today and tomorrow’s generation of the Irish in Britain will lead a dynamic and diverse community, shaped by a fusion of cultures and identities. These new migrants and their descendants interpret new ways to express who we are today." This reflects the direction of Ireland's Diaspora Strategy 2026-2030, which recognises the importance of promoting the culture and identity of a “modern and diverse Ireland.”
Irish. Here. Heard. puts this into practice, creating space for evolving identities and lived experiences to be shared, heard and connected - mapping the living Irish story through the voices of Irish communities themselves. We aren't creating an archive of Irishness as it was. We're creating a living picture of Irishness as it is, and as it's becoming.
Irish. Here. Heard. Coventry - Chapter one
Coventry is where the Irish. Here. Heard. journey begins. Our flagship programme brings people of Irish and mixed-Irish heritage together to explore identity, belonging and what it means to be Irish in Coventry today. Through creativity and storytelling, we're not simply looking back at Irish history, we're capturing Irishness as it is lived now, and as it continues to evolve.
Irish. Here. Heard is going on the road
Different places. Different voices. One shared story.
Irish. Here. Heard. began with a simple belief: when we create space for people to tell their stories and genuinely listen, something powerful happens.
Now we're taking that conversation further. Alongside people born in Ireland are second, third and subsequent generations, people of mixed-Irish heritage, newer migrants and people rediscovering or redefining their relationship with Irish identity.
Through pop-up sessions in Irish communities across Britain, we're bringing people together to share lived experiences and explore identity, heritage and what it means to be Irish here, today.
Each pop-up adds another place, another perspective and another chapter to our growing picture of Irish life in Britain today.
Bring Irish. Here. Heard. to your community. We're looking for Irish organisations, community groups and cultural partners to host Irish. Here. Heard. pop-ups.
What does hosting one actually mean?
You know your community. We bring the Seanchaí Way, a creative, facilitated approach to listening, storytelling and connection. Together, we create an Irish. Here. Heard. pop-up shaped by your place and your people.
The Seanchaí Way - compressed into a day:
LISTEN - Tell us what being Irish here means.
UNDERSTAND - What are we hearing beneath and across the stories?
CREATE - Turn lived experience into shared storytelling and creative expression.
CHANGE - What do we want to carry forward, and what needs to change?
A story with no final chapter
We don't believe there is one definitive story of Irishness in Britain. Nor do we believe that story can ever be finished. Communities change. Generations change. Migration changes. Identity changes.
Every Irish. Here. Heard. community adds another chapter, but the final chapter is never written.
Be part of the journey.
Host an Irish. Here. Heard. pop-up in your community, become our next chapter!
Your story. Your heritage. Your community.
Pop-up
We listen locally. Through creative pop-up sessions, we create space for Irish communities to come together, share lived experiences and explore what being Irish means in their place, today.
Stories
We gather lived experience. We capture the stories, perspectives and experiences that reveal how Irish identity is lived, understood and evolving across generations today.
Connection
We connect the stories. Bringing voices together from different places and generations to reveal what connects us and what makes each community distinct.
A Seanchaí Symposium - Where the Stories Come Together
The Seanchaí Symposium is the long-term ambition of Irish. Here. Heard. bringing together communities, storytellers and organisations from across the journey to share stories, exchange learning and explore what they tell us about Irish identity today. A space to connect the different chapters and ask: what can our stories teach us about who we are - and who we're becoming?