The Forgotten Irish

[@mosweeney1]

Thanks for all the lovely comments and views over the years. From the humble director of The Forgotten Irish.

[@maureennewman905]

My grandparents were from Donegal ,her name was Sweeney too married a Boyle . Moved to Edinburgh , where y dad was born then to America , then back to Edinburgh , and we were brought up .I loved the family get together , I love the Irish always a great laugh

[@simon-martinanthony2123]

this makes me sad i migrated from ireland to birmingham in 2003 if i knew now what i knew then no way im still here now in 2023 20 years in december my eldest is studying law in birmingham and my youngest son has profound autism so life is tough i hope to return home i cant believe we are here this long

[@theCrushRealYourDreams]

Thanks to you and everyone who participated in creating this documentary, hearing these peoples stories is important and I'm grateful to have. No one should spend their elderly years lonely and in unhealthy living conditions, I'm glad these folks got support. I hope everyone who wants to go home to Ireland can. I've been thinking that "adopting a Grandparent" could be a thing, connecting elderly folks who never had kids with younger folks whoes parents have passed on already. Sending Respect, Kindness, Compassion and Love from Canada.

[@roisindevoy4346]

Thanks for making this important historical document

[@jenniferoreilly4708]

Beautiful and very sad 😢

[@MrCOUNTYCORK]

I went to London at the age of 15 dug holes, demolished buildings put concrete down, the only bit of a life we had was getting out of a dreary room and to the pub, and Monday the week started again, you worked or you went hungry and homeless, that was your choice, i met some of the toughest Irish men in London all hard workers, that's what they knew, toughness and hard graft, i love what it is to be Irish and forever grateful for the people I met those times, it helped to shape me into a man.

[@tomkelly9714]

How many Homeless in Ireland. I'm sure illegals living good Are you proud yur Irish.

[@connoroleary591]

I did the same at 20. Hard times but good times around the Archway in the 1980's. Though i find it hard to take pride in a country that betrays its own people, and is now dismantling its neutrality so its young can be infantry men in an EU army. Expect to be betrayed and Ireland will never disappoint you. Good luck fellow fusilier!

[@advancedwatcher]

In Oldham an elderly Irish man told me how he and his mates had met up every Thursday night in the pub to be paid by the gang master, then tipped up their wages to be shared out between them, as some wouldn't have had work that week and everyone needed something to send home to family. Their children don't know, because the men were, and still are, ashamed of being 'poor' at that time. I think everyone should know. Everyone. They looked after each other, the best they could.

[@Kitiwake]

@@connoroleary591 we have a derogation from active EU military activity. That's why we voted twice for the Lisbon treaty.

[@davidwalters4906]

@@tomkelly9714 the man is on bout back in the day hard days a paddy over there england you wood never No 🤔

[@mattbutler3852]

There but for the grace of God go I ran away from home when I was a young teenager . I ended up getting double pneumonia sleeping rough in London but lucky for me I had two loving parents who sent me my fare home and welcomed me with open arms . So now instead of living in some home in London I am living in Dublin surrounded by my grandchildren Thank you Ma and Da .

[@michaelkenny1326]

Matt Butler ,

[@williestokes1421]

Good man . But it is sad al the same for the irish in the uk my da spent 30 odd years over in birmingham but thank god he knew when to come home

[@donnascollard394]

God bless your parents is a lucky man

[@davidwalters4906]

You done good me in england 30 years and do miss homes when you get two a time in your life why did i have two leve dublin but as you no work a lot of paddys i did no here are with the big man up there now sad but life one day will go home for good but in a box thats life but stll have a good life wife and all that happy for you got home you done your time good man in joy paddy over there 🤔😉

[@Tina06019]

Matt Butler Bless your parents.

[@Lar308]

My dad (1923 - 2015) went to London in the early 50's he was the second youngest of a big family from Kerry (Ballyheigue). He worked in "the buildings" as he used to call the work he did there. Met my mother over there (A Dublin girl) got married in 56 in the UK and moved back to Kerry. They were an unlikely couple - her an Inchicore Dub and him a rough Kerryman. He could barely read and write as he had a drunkard for a father and his mother died when he was very young so going to school wasn't a top priority in the household. He had a rough few years back in Ireland but then got a job in the ESB (our then semi state electricity company) and was there for nearly 30 years. When I watch video's like these I thank god he made the decision to return and that he didn't end up in dire straights over there in his old age as I am sure he would have. As regards drinking the thing was the whole building trade labour market over there was organised in pubs. They had to go to the pub to get paid etc or to find a job or somebody who knew where to find one. My Dad was tough and had huge hands that were as hard and rough as concrete. Even in his 80's he would be digging drains or tending his big garden of vegetables or driving his tractor on round trips of 40 miles to some land he had. I have had a cushy life compared to his in the Irish police (Garda). I still have not watched the video as I am not sure I want to as it might upset me thinking about my dad. I have read most of the comments though. Some nice stories so I thought I would share mine.

[@TomokoMurakami]

My father was from Ballinskelligs, Kerry and was born in 1921. Sounds very similar to your dad and since he passed, I've been completely incapable of listening to Irish music such as the Dubliners, etc. because the songs bring back memories of him and make me grieve for him.

[@ElizabethMcDermott-cy4cv]

My grandfather and father the same story. That you told us so well. Write more about it.

[@aconsideredopinion7529]

My father in law was also from ballyheigue or more exactly ballyduff/lixnaw.. he went England in the late fifties and met his wife who was from Kilkenny near to callan. He returned home in the mid seventies settled in Kilkenny, brought his house and raised five children. I too joined the gardai and share many of your memories of being a Garda in Dublin in the eighties. Strange coincidences..

[@jamesbradshaw3389]

Don't be ashamed of your dad or any of those hard-working men, they did their best, loneliness was a big factor in most Irish people's lives who came to work in England, they did not have any friends outside those they worked with, It was not all bad but it was not easy

[@margaretstewart2575]

My parents came to Liverpool in 1958, from Co. Wexford. Stayed for DECADES. My father passed away in 1990 my mother in 2014, both buried back in Wexford.

[@norfolkbroad7537]

We all born in Dublin. 6 of us and Mum and Dad. We all worked hard, never unemployed and all have done very well. My parents worked hard and never complained. I am so proud of them. We all have children and grandchildren, all have a great sense of humour. All law abiding with integrity and morals and principled. WE love Ireland/Dublin. We realise just how hard it was for our parents to move to England and bring us up as good people (we beleive) My mum always said .. Never steal - never lie - never bully and always have a laugh. All our family lived by this.

[@longfordboy2538]

norfolk broad k

[@slewfoot6608]

❤❤❤❤

[@ElizabethMcDermott-cy4cv]

❤

[@martinswan7787]

I think the vast majority of the Irish are just amazing . Their music, culture, poetry, friendly and open people are second to none. I am Scottish and proud of my country but Ireland is something else, god bless you all.

[@diane9247]

Not to mention their killer sense of humor and crazy slang! ✌

[@ubomninomen7765]

Well said! The Irish are your close cousins, and you are much more than "Scottish." As a "US citizen," I am much more than an "American." "Genetically," I'm a North Sea mongrel - Welsh, Irish, Scotch, English, with bits of Scandinavian, French, Neanderthal, and minute traces of god-knows-what else. I'm proud, sad, and fascinated by all these histories, and more. Nations and sociopaths claim ownership of of human beings to dictate who belongs, but we are all cousins. Some are just more distant than others.

[@kathydesigner]

Martin Swan...Thank you Darling that is so kind of you to say that...I agree with you, I have a lot of compassion for the people who came here and worked so hard when they knew they were not welcome. So it is so good to read your kind words... I am Irish myself. I have met many wonderful scottish people also...

[@popesarmyyeehaa5785]

Thanks for your kind words Martin 🖒☘🍀☘🍻🍻✌☺🍻🖒☘🍀

[@grlfcgombeenhunter2897]

Respect ✊ my Celtic brother

[@carolinebrennan3864]

I am recently only learning of the plight of the Irish and how the crown treated them so horribly. My dad was Irish and Mother native Canadian. My parents and grandparents on both sides were affected by the greed and sick ideology of the crown. It makes me so sad the suffering of these poor people.

[@Roscoe.P.Coldchain]

So was my grandad he came over to England in the 40s to work in the mines and the English miners soon learned he was not to be messed with and would fight..They were treat worse than Dogs 😢

[@bingobango5027]

Don't worry about it bai

[@Anglo_Saxon1]

Did you know that the British government spent £8,000,000. on famine relief for the Irish?No of course you dont because they never mention that.8 million was a hell of a lot of money in the mid 1800's. Also the fact that there were free soup kitchens set up around Ireland,but because they were run by protestant clergy,the Irish Catholic clergy would throw abuse at anyone found to be using the soup kitchen's.Infact the derogatory term for any Catholic who used a soup kitchen was "She's a rotten 'Souper'" In order to get more than the usual very bias version of events in Ireland,you need to do real research.

[@Anglo_Saxon1]

​@@Roscoe.P.Coldchain Did you watch all of this film?Many young Irish lads were treat so disgustingly by their own Irish Catholic institutions that they came over to England and never went back.

[@mariaodonnell8220]

​@Karl hill, You wouldn't be too happy if another country invaded yours. Brits and their fn British empire taking over countries and stealing their resources. Britain, if you invade another country and claim it as yours don't be surprised if the people there arrive at yours looking for work . Every where the brits invaded they left a trail of destruction behind them.

[@joanramsey4002]

Oh my, this made me cry. My parents came over to England in the 50's and watching this has made me realise how hard it must have been, and still is for this generation. They hinted that things were not right, only now do we realise the truth. May God bless the Irish..

[@davidomahony7547]

My dad told me what it felt like to need a place to live when he arrived in London in the 50s, see an "accommodation available" sign......and then see in smaller writing "no dogs, no blacks and no irish". As a "plastic paddy" I had only one goal as a kid, to leave England. I did. Never felt at home there and glad my parents were able to move back to Ireland.

[@kaleahcollins4567]

@@davidomahony7547 yet yall look down on blacks who also came as good hard working citizens wanting to help the mother country and was treated just as badly by the country that begged them to come . Whenever the Irish got the chance yall would throw blacks under the bus despite the English not caring about yall neither

[@maryannnickicanovacoffman7239]

Made me tear up also. My great grandmother came to the states as a bonded servant. It was so sad when she told it to my grandma.

[@jimwalsh8520]

@@davidomahony7547 Well laddie, it most certainly was not because of any form of racism. In the 1950s both the Irish and Carribeans coming to the UK were carrying many diseases, cholrea, diptheria and TB. So please dont try an play any race card when it is just not true

[@jimwalsh8520]

@@maryannnickicanovacoffman7239 So why have you a double barreled surname that it italian and German?

[@davidhegarty7971]

Great documentary I am a young Irish man and admire these men very much for enduring and carrying on r.i.p our country was built on men like this

[@izaneo4296]

Most of my ancestors are Irish, my great grandparents were forced out of Ireland by poverty to move to London however my grandmother moved to New Zealand where I live Proud of my roots and respect the massive hardships my ancestors went through

[@CathyFromPensacola]

This is an excellent yet heartbreaking documentary. Over the past few days, I've been watching and reading a lot about Ireland especially during and after the potato famine because my ancestors on my mother's side were from Ireland, the O'Hearns. I am stunned and saddened by the many horrendous stories of how the Irish were treated over the years and I pray that the Lord Jesus Christ continue to comfort and guide each of us on our journey, wherever the past leads.

[@jimwalsh8520]

It is tosh and apocrupha dear lady. You will probably find, of you check your DNA, you are more English than Irish

[@ClannCholmain]

@@jimwalsh8520 about 25% of the people of Britain have Irish ancestry, and so do you.

[@jimwalsh8520]

@@ClannCholmain I care not, I am English and proud of that fact!

[@ClannCholmain]

@@jimwalsh8520 you can’t be English, England gets its name from the German tribe the Angles. But you’re not German, and you’re not Saxon either. And the official religion of your country is Asian in origin. The northern region of Britain is named after another country, Ireland. You don’t strike me as the type of person who is going throwing away his EU passport, and go joining the longer grumbling non-EU queues. You need to stop pretending you care about civil rights, human rights, tax dodging, democracy, prosperity, etc. I know because you are a member of the fascist party of Britain. And you need to stop making stuff up, especially when more and more children are going hungry in the U.K. because of Brexit. You don’t use citations because you’re similar to a dung beetle. All taken from Businessinsider, January 2019: Most people think Britain only imports about 50% of its food. But the reality is that 80% of food is imported, including basics such as carrots and tea. The 50% statistic underrepresents the reality, McCarthy says. In reality, "80% of food is imported into the UK," he wrote. The lower number "defines food processed in the UK as UK food, even though the ingredients may have been imported. For example, tea is processed in the UK, but we grow no tea - it is all imported. When ingredients are counted as imported, the real figure is over 80%."

[@elainekerslake6865]

@@jimwalsh8520 you are 60% European DNA ...that is Roman , Norman , Norse and Brittanic....... And 40% Anglo Saxon.....that's German oh dear! and a bit of this and that. Unless of course you are a direct pure descendant of the homo Heidelbergensis who roamed Britain 700,000 years ago and left before the last Ice Age. Even they came from Africa. Nah! You're probably Irish.

[@fritula6200]

Ah, no you cannot be forgotten Irish. You are a people of the Heart of the world. A beauty of God given to you.... simple and humble, proud... a silent pride, warm, dependable, hard working-always, no job is too hard for them, head down and finish the job....humorous, intelligence, stoic, noble and decent, courageous... a good friend to always have .. only the Irish will walk with you the extra mile. A people made from the clay of the earth. Your poverty and suffering have made you a good people. Every where you go, you build....you Irish leave your stamp on this.. May God bless all Irish people, may His graciousness be poured out on His beloved people of Ireland. With love and respect from the Croatian people, who are dear to the Irish heart. Our history is the same. Love and deep respect.

[@yaboi993]

You really made me blush, Thank you we also love the Croatian 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇭🇷🇭🇷

[@stephenwright8824]

TYVM Fritula Though I'm an atheist, I will never forget that bit about Ireland being a little piece of Heaven God parted with so there could BE an Ireland.

[@robertkyle2947]

Fritula 6 m

[@kieranohara7024]

.... THANKS .. YOU´RE SOUND LIKE A GOOD PAL .. I LOVE IT WHEN YOU SAY "AN IRISH FRIEND WILL ALWAYS WALK AN EXTRA MILE WITH YOU ... " BTW: I WAS MARRIED TO A GIRL FROM SERBIA, SHE UNFORTUNATELY DIED A FEW YEARS AGO ... SHE A L W A Y S WALKED A FEW E X T R A M I L E S WITH ME .. I MISS HER A LOT ... MARTIN FROM F R E E DERRY, NORTHERN IRELAND ... GOD BLESS ...

[@johnodonnell9902]

By broadband. Package

[@p0sn]

I'm a second-generation Irish English man living and working in Austria, earning decent money in a shitty job; slightly pissed at half four in the morning after a long-arse shift. This documentary told me more about myself than any shrink ever could.

[@rumpraisin]

An Austrian shrink?

[@IwasBlueb4]

im also an Irish lass, but never lived there....will you go back to Eire, one day ?

[@dianebree774]

Lass is not a Scottish colloquialism. Eire is the Irish for Ireland as I think you know . A birth certificate can say a country and your heart say another ,I think you know that too .

[@p0sn]

@@IwasBlueb4 I have an irish passport and citizenship, and have a lot of family there but honestly I don't know. One day, perhaps :)

[@sims2sheilz]

@@IwasBlueb4 Ignore that amadán. No harm in saying Éire. Angers me to see an Irish person putting down another for using a bit of Irish. Hope you enjoy yourself when you visit. 😊

[@leighcochran7303]

This is soo well done and shows such insight. Granddaughter of an Mayo man here, who went to America in 1900. He took no joy from his good looking wife and daughters. He was a soldier who drank heavily. Maybe now I understand him a bit now, cut off from his country. Who knows what sorrows he had? I just returned from first trip to Ireland. Made me so happy to be surrounded by Kennedys and Quinns but also made me sick to see what the English and the Church did to the Irish and their beautiful land. And these old lonely men, cut off from their family and their roots turned to "the drink" for solace.. . . Tragic, makes me weep.

[@lulusmith2603]

My great grandfather was from Mayo. He found his way to America somehow and married my beautiful great grandmother. We don’t know much about him except he was an only child, an orphan and committed suicide. I do remember his accent, though and his singing. My heart flutters when I hear the old Irish tunes, especially ooh rah.

[@michellemcdermott2026]

The Church created schools,hospitals and missions. The majority were good Holy priests and sisters. The media focuses on the baddies when in truth the Catholic Church has done far more good in Ireland and around the world

[@emmetsweeney9236]

Oh for heaven's sake leave the church out of it

[@nedkelly9645]

What 'the English' done .. are you for real. Anything that was done was 'The British' but it wasn't even that ... do you think that the working class 'British' were teated well by the ruling classes? These men cam to Britain because they couldn't make a living in Ireland, and they made a living here altough a tortuous one. It wasn't England or Britain that shipped them abroad, Ireland was an independent state in the 50s.

[@aughalough1]

@@emmetsweeney9236, so true, the church tried to educate them. If it wasn’t for the church what state would they be in.

[@heighwaysonthewing]

yes the Irish had a hard time back then, but speaking as an English man, I see the Irish that came over as part of the Country and have played their part in our story, we had an Irish family just down the road from, us, very nice people , nobody saw them as different from us in anyway, they went home 82 again , I miss my mate from then who was their son , haven't seen him since then, ah well , in the North the Irish are welcome , Merseyside we love the Irish .

[@davidwalters4906]

They call leverpool ireland big time a long time a go wee the paddys made a life there home from home the people like the paddys you are right thank you paddy

[@patglennon9671]

Bootle? My pals family moved back to co wicklow around that time, scouse mother, irish father .

[@patof72clune51]

That liverpuddlian catholic that was cured at Lourdes France.

[@PaulineSweeney-e7i]

This doc directed by my son maurice sweeney well done son,

[@ElizabethMcDermott-cy4cv]

Has he made other things? I really appreciate what it's taught me about my granddaddy and father.

[@mikesull4637]

I'm age 67 years old.I was born in the north of ireland .came over to England in 1951 whith my mother that's the year I was born.I ended up in children's homes.I went home to a mother who was shit her boy friend was the bad stepfather.we got through it I had 7 brothers and 2sisters .there's only me and my older brother Left.I still love being Irish .I live in Liverpool .love you people God bless you Lads.

[@jobbygerm2706]

@Leo D'Arcy Aye, and there's a few things YOU don't know.

[@Bettykinsella]

My mother was born in the last year of the free state close to the NI boarder, by the early 60's all 10 of her siblings and my grandparents had left the Island and found new lives in the UK and US. Brooklyn was the fancy destination of my mothers youngest sibling and where my mother wanted to go. Mum lived in London as a young girl washing bottles and working at a watchmaking shop, then met my Arklow born seaman father, at the Galtymore, a dance hall frequented by the Irish in London in the 60's. They married and moved to the US. I was born in NJ a year or so later it was back to London. The Queen Elizabeth I crossed the Atlantic heading for London, in the middle of the night the QEI passed the Queen Mary going the other way heading to NY. On board the Queen Mary was my mother's sister, it would be more than 40 years before they saw each other again. We arrived in London and lived with my granddad, as my grandparents relationship did not survive the emigration. I remember trips back to Ireland, I remember the train from Holly head, the ferry, my grandparents, my aunty ,uncles the Arklow potteries, the beach the bridge. I remember the smell of Ireland after all these years, i can still recall that smell. My parents had 5 kids in London, I remember going to school and learning to read. One day I read a sign in a window, No blacks no dogs no Irish, and I asked my mother "what is wrong with the dogs?" The look on my mothers face I will never forget "that is why we are leaving and going to Australia". I thought we were going for a holiday, I thought one day we would all come home and see the family again. One of my mothers brother's came out for a visit and stayed, and one of my fathers brothers also migrated with his family about 10 years later. One week shy of 49 years of living in Australia my mother passed away, she never returned. My parents made me 4 more siblings 4 little Aussies. Today I am a grandmother really in name only, my children had done the same thing moved so far away it costs a fortune to visit. Hard to maintain relationships when you are thousands of miles apart. Immigration destroys families and cultures. I am from a very old family and I must go to a computer to find out the stories of my family. When my mother died, I rang and Aunty in Ireland so I could hear her voice, she sounded just like my mother. I feel like a fraud calling myself Irish, but I am not English, and the US was just an accident of birth. In Australia I am a migrant. A brilliant doco thank Amino for producing it. I cried for the mothers and grandparents who lost their children, the old men who want to return and like James their own family do not recognise them. But I think my tears were also for me. May 2020 It has been 3 years since I wrote my comment and just now seen all the lovely replies, thank you all who wrote those lovely words. I do write and in many ways tell the same story over and over. I am now a grand mother to two more making me a lucky nana of 5. At the moment I am in lock down in Malaysia having come for a visit to my daughter, who was pregnant and gave birth to my grand daughter. My plane home was grounded back in March so lucky me I have been in lockdown with my daughter son in law a 2 year old grandson and new baby, since March. Not sure how much longer this lockdown will last but I am making the most of it. Life is what it is, I have had many blessings and plenty of good luck, though life hasn't always been a bed of roses. Many of us child migrants have similar stories, this documentary was so very interesting and moving, I am sure there could be a sequel and I would be honoured to participate. Maybe it could be about us child migrants, who knows, I am sure there would be a lot of interest. Once again thank you all for your kind words.

[@Areflection4]

Bettykinsella so poignant Betty. The saddest part is that you feel like a grandmother in name only.

[@wesleyphillips163]

Bettykinsella So sorry....I know how it feels to be lonely at times with family far away.

[@kathydesigner]

Betty Kinsella...I was facinated with your story, you have all the details and should write a book about your family, a social history...God blessx

[@james09995]

God bless and be kind to you.

[@shawnfinnegan64]

Grandparents came to the Bronx in the 50s from Armagh. They never saw their parents again. Immigration is horrible.

[@grainneminihane625]

My Dad had to go to England for work .I was very little ,God bless him, only for him I wouldn't be what I am today. He looked after us all so well. He had a hard life, sent all his wages to my mam. I never thanked him 💔

[@Jackmack365]

I almost cried at how grateful James was but happy with his new home, what a man and a happy ending.

[@philomenatimoney1788]

Mari Mac

[@neilwalsh-xh8go]

house where james was is long st Sparkbrook bham, shit hole owned by irish people bled old irish boys dry

[@edwardmullen8403]

Mari Mac 8. “7

[@edwardmullen8403]

patrick walsh 9

[@sabrinajoyce9540]

Such a lovely man

[@adailydaughter6196]

Watched this so many times. Such a beautiful and sad stories. Real stories. Real experiences... Grew up around many Irish folk... Feels like family. Thank you so much for sharing this series. God bless all the men that went through this.

[@TheDublin47]

When i first came to London i cried myself to sleep i could not settle in But after about 2 year i met a lovely girl and we got marred and had a wee baby Now live is rosie for me i go back now and then thanks be to God

[@markkavanagh4457]

Good on ye, can't wait to retire back to the ould country 🇮🇪🇮🇪☘️☘️ .

[@rhiannonduncan3401]

Bless you and your family

[@bea7484]

Sounds like my Father's story, he came to England in 1959, jobless and penniless, but very handsome with it,. Along with his archetypical Irish charm, a ladykiller you could say, he met my mother who took him under her wing, and I, the daughter, quickly followed. Father has done very well for himself since with his English wife (my mother) and now they're comfortably retired. And me, well, I'm very proud to be half Irish, and just love my Irish heritage, I can't get enough of it, and in truth, feel more Irish than English.

[@amandalyons1719]

Love a lovely story like that 😊 God bless Dublin47 from a wee Ballymoney woman 😊

[@michaelheery7427]

Met some great irish in england that are not posh.

[@Lucillee688]

My Father came over to Birmingham in the 1950s from Ireland. The construction workers worked hard in terrible conditions. My Father lost his life age just 43 years of age. He was demolishing at Longbridge and roof gave way on him.

[@privatelyprivate3285]

My heart to yours

[@kevinmcdermottoctogenarian6568]

My poor Dad, a lame man, had to leave my mother to bring us up when he went to work in England in 1943. Thanks to his regular registered letter containing John Bull's money we survived starvation in Dev's Holy ireland. In the mid fifties my mother and the rest of our family followed in Dad's footsteps and left to live in England. We all did alright for ourselves and never regretted the move..

[@michaelkenny1326]

Kevin McDermott Octogenarian q

[@staffy4389]

I was in the same situation as you, but we didn't follow the dad , instead we ended up without a dad. I was always led to believe he didn't want us , but I went to see him in 1981 when I was on my honeymoon. Thing's weren't as I was told. Before he met a lovely lady over there his life was work, bedsits and the pub. The lesson I take from my dad is , never judge others. But for the grace of God, there go I. Take care. 👍

[@staffy4389]

@kerry folden get a life

[@bernadettebarry3099]

Dont know what your talking about everyone was shy many irish men married girls from English and Europe because they always worked good looking and well brought up

[@kevinmcdermottoctogenarian6568]

@@bernadettebarry3099 Not sure what your point is or if it was directed towards my comment which said nothing about 'who married who and where'.

[@beaucorr2561]

I found this program revealing and yet sensitive. I have met a number of older Irishmen in England and the ones who never married often led a very lonely existence indeed.

[@michaelheery6303]

very true..

[@IwasBlueb4]

I think thats why many there, have heart problems....My father was a Dubliner who went over to England to work and study.....He met my mother at church... Most of my uncles lived in England, too...all got married

[@monodimensionalbeing]

same old irishmen back here too,sadly, Im just back from a walk across our wee country and can tell you that the youth have and are still leaving, Am a youth myselfhere! In my own town and countless others the amount of 'bachelor' old bais is shocking

[@mattbutler3852]

I am 79 years old, I had a little story about my life elsewhere in this column but I have such a lovely Christmas Day with my children and grandchildren that I have to wish the homeless people that once was me all the very best of luck and that there can be a better life giving a little break. A very Happy New Year to all and I really hope that all find the happiness that I have found.

[@yaboi993]

My parents moved to Manchester From Belfast and Clare a year before I was born they had it rough af. We all did and you fellow Irish are my brothers and sisters🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪

[@helenjoyce342]

My father was the Johnny Joyce (the gambler) there were no motorways when he arrived in the uk, only 16 years old he learnt quickly how to survive, I lost my dear father recently but I know he would have loved this documentary. RIP Michael Joyce & this is the song I played

[@MrGiorgioud]

I am Italian and I am proud to say I married a gorgeous Irish girl, the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, whose family is from Cork and we have two beautiful Anglo/Irish/Italian daughters. There is a tremendous empathy between Irish and Italians: both people are very soulful, both fanatically Catholic, both have given a distinctive contribution to music and literature, both had to know the heartache and loneliness of emigrating to the four corners of the world, both have known for centuries the oppression of foreign domination (the Irish by the British, the Italians by everyone else, especially Germans, French, Spanish and Arabs)....even the respective flags are similar....and let me tell you, the Italians absolutely love the Irish. Just go to Rome and count how many Irish pubs there are in it.....

[@rumpraisin]

Francis Rossi from Status Quo is also Italian/Irish.

[@westsawake1]

My Father was from Galway (god bless him) he came to England in 1930 He lived in London and Birmingham for years he eventually moved to Manchester where he met my Mother got married and settled down. He suffered years of bigotry and racialism.But in all my life I never heard him call anybody, he was one of 14 who all left Ireland for work. He as passed away now and I miss him every day along with my mother. I visit Ireland often with my wife often and I love it Galway especially the people and my relatives god bless all

[@freedomatlast8756]

I was in London three years ago and visited Kensel Green Cemetery and seen many a headstone of Irish immigrants decorated with shamrocks. I thought about the racism, prejudice and discrimination they would have known in a land were they were never welcomed. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha.

[@eannnna81]

I’ll send a jersey if u ever want one Galway one of course

[@gloglos100]

I am australian, it’s appalling the English had such bigotry, 900 years of occupation of beautiful,Ireland and better quality genetically people and ripped the guts out in every way.

[@stephen361000]

I'm the son of two lovely 🍀 Irish pearants that came to London in the late 50s may they rest in peace and I'm proud

[@km8773]

I'm a hard working Irish man in the UK but nothing close to these gents but God I'm super proud,bless the en

[@james09995]

Well said....one Irishman to another!

[@Gommerell]

If the Irish arriving in London were lucky enough to get a job for an Irish building firm , and found digs with an Irish landlord, Then they would do alright . 20 years later worked to death and ruined by drink, they would hobble about. And the owners of the Building company would have a big farm bought in Ireland , and the Irish landlord would have his mortgages paid off . No one exploited the Irish more than their own kind.

[@heathsavage4852]

Truth at last. You are right. My dad was 15, hod-carrying on building sites. He joined the Irish Guards and never looked back.

[@jameshorgan5905]

Happen’s to All people . When there’s money around. From all races.

[@chrisclark1761]

Ruined by the drink - was someone pouring it down their necks ?

[@jayd1974]

Your right what you say unfortunately

[@gardenhill2]

@@chrisclark1761 Just the loneliness and homesickness. The only comfort was sitting in a pub. No central heating in digs.

[@patrickgrisley]

So unbelievably true. I am an American expat living in Ireland for almost 10 years now, and I honestly have not met a man (and most women) over the age of 60 that did not, at one point, live in the UK at some point. As an Irish-American as well, we are always taught that all the Irish emigrated to the USA, Canada and a few to Australia. It is amazing how the disopra to the UK is completely glossed over. I do think that it has had a lot to do to ease the tensions between the two countries however.

[@tomthumb3500]

Absolutely

[@neilthefish]

Hi Patrick Grisely, It never ceases to amaze me how English and American people regard themselves as " expat" rathger than just immigrants like the rest of us!!

[@patrickgrisley]

@@neilthefish well said Neil Mario. I stand corrected!

[@debbiemohekey1509]

Patrick Grisley Many Irish went out to New Zealand where they did very well for themselves and multiplied into the thousands starting during the potato famine and English too and a lot during the 1950s. My own Irish grandfather came out to N.Z around the turn of the century and as each started doing ok would send fares for more of their relatives to come out.No bigotry. Many held good positions in the communities.My own family were farmers and even after several generations would keep in touch with those back in ireland and visit back and forth and god knows how many relatives are called Patrick. Brother, father, grandfather and number of cousins.lol

[@romystumpy1197]

​@@neilthefish very good point

[@jacquelinek2203]

Powerful documentary. All institutional sadistic abuse MUST be investigated fully and convictions carried out, Justice brought for the survivors and victims. DECENT HUMANITY DESERVES JUSTICE. Also these Irish workers need more support from our society too. Thank you for making this.

[@JakeSwan94]

I hope all these people enjoy what is left of their lives. Shame that Irish people like this have been forgotten. So sad!

[@seanstaunton6461]

Yes and never complained or moaned about it unlike some immigrants. God Bless the paddies

[@peterfitzgerald53]

When people no longer have a use ,the rest of us discard them

[@davidmckenna5751]

I'm English and have worked with the Irish nice people James seems a lovely man

[@rosannaachilleos-sarll8293]

With a name like McKenna are you sure you are English? They say the Irish have a sixth sense and you seem to have it too: compassion

[@Kieran46100]

Leaving isn't always sad. This is a wonderful account and reflection of Ireland and the Irish, myself being an Irishman and proud of it, came from what seemed to be a hopeless situation early 60's. immigrated, but to Germany where they love and understand the Irish. The excellent education system in Ireland is an instrument for success. Today happily retired and enjoying every day, visiting the old sod regularly. Money and success does not guarantee happiness. It's how one chooses his day. and makes the best of it. One must not be isolated, friends to talk and laugh with are pure gold.

[@markkavanagh4457]

Go haon mhaith mo chara, we prove how respectful and decent we are by the actions and manners we display even in the face of ignorance and casual racism. I respect everyone regardless of their background so we'll said Kieran...

[@ulstershound1588]

O na hamhrain mhora sigs an fhirinne agus an cheartais it too born away from my forefathers land though tortured n killed we Irish were a tough man especially the women who had do all when pa n brothers gone I was born in America but will be buried in my homeland county wexford my pa bless his soul was the last kehoe to serve he spent 7 years in nam he was as big as the Statue of Liberty to me but he tought us early Irish history of gallant brave and young men of the troubles famine but the beaughty of her is that to which you will shed a tear and hate will go away we've had the best musicians easy we have poets and soliders my relative Myles keogh was a renowned Irishman fighting here in America he died last at sitting bulls last stand his horse commanche only living survivor look him up he's to be proud of just like all of us not just us who bleed three colors but the earth please stop killing all who kill stop people are amazing

[@nuriaalvarez6244]

Very inspiring words.

[@danielmccallon7033]

Yes sir . Love is pure gold and that makes you a rich man. Kindness, forgiveness and love will always guarantee success.

[@ulstershound1588]

macmanhot100 your not American you don't look like a native indian

[@robg71]

Heartbreaking. that lovely man James. The Irish Were exploited not only by their Government, the Church but their employers as well.

[@thetoecurler6852]

katins s ireland wasn’t the land of saints and scholars before the English, it was before the Romans, the druids were the indigenous people of Ireland and they were wiped out and enslaved but all the information you get on it is usually a single page footnote, it’s kept very quiet and swept under the carpet, you hear about the Jewish massacres, African, Mayan.. but never the Irish ones, not even the “FAMINE”

[@123YMR]

Strange that his brothers and sisters didn't try to find him when he hadn't contacted them in so long. Very sad, poor man.

[@heatherkelly2580]

@@katinss9983 IRA/PIRA SEIN FEIN BOBBY SANDS MP GERRY ADAMS MP "SAINTS" AND "SCHOLARS" ????

[@katinss9983]

@@heatherkelly2580 the Irish Republican Army was formed to protect the Irish under the new Free state. The Irish Rebublican Army remained effective in Northern Ireland due to the crimes against humanity inflicted by the new British state in Northern Ireland. They were protecting Irish citizens in the North and became actively involved in the civil rights war against the rogue British in Northern Ireland.

[@edcarson3113]

katins s that’s some fantasy story you’re telling there

[@ameliajones2073]

I love these documentaries. It makes me feel a lot of gratitude for what little I have. So many ppl struggled beyond my imagination. God bless them.

[@hazeldickerson4321]

I remember a lovely Irish family coming to live in house we lived in Liverpool Mr and Mrs Collins they had two children Kathleen and Peter they were lovely Kathleen and I became friends we were the same age I'll always remember Mr Collins because he spoke so fast with his eyes closed 🙂I love Irish people I'm so glad I met Kathleen I often think of the good times in Liverpool with her.

[@ciarancaughey1099]

I was in London for 20 years from 1973. I was 19 when I arrived . Went to do a degree but dropped out to work on the sites .Getting the equivalent of £2000 a week in todays money. Working 7 days a week. Worked 12 weeks staight in my 20's, 30's and 40's. Brilliant times in London. The London Irish were the best people I have met in my life. Retired now and living in a bungalow in The Mourne Mountains. Never will I forget the kindness I was show by the Irish in London . That includes some of the subbys I worked for. Hard but fair. Good money for a good days work. Some clowns want money for doing nothing!

[@lulassong6524]

So true, the cold snooty English had none of the warmth, humanity, sense of humour and friendliness of the Irish! Anybody enjoy The film The Commitments? Irish Blues is...Black!

[@waldo197720]

@@lulassong6524 the English still hadn’t recovered from fighting 2 world wars, this had a devastating effect on the social and mental health of the society there. Very deep seated issues swept under the carpet. Having said that many of the English working classes were fantastic hard working people and good fun.

[@metardis1670]

God bless you sir. I hope you are still living well in Gods own country. I was really pleased to see your from the Newcastle area. Im from Downpatrick but now retired and living in the Philippines. Look after yourself.

[@rockinbillyboy]

God love these men, and the horror they had to endure in those awful institutions....and then to be sent away from those they loved, to a place where people were hostile to them.....There are a lot of people who have a LOT to answer for!

[@eileencloonan8261]

Yeah, my Irish Mom & Dad were met with signs in England that stated on many shops, "Irish Need Not Apply." Crazy thing,... I found a plackard in 2009 in New Orlean's with this very saying! "Irish Need Not Apply"!

[@loraineashton7046]

Well said.

[@rosieb8059]

@@patricksweeney5308 tis so true sadly.

[@jesusislukeskywalker4294]

burn your televison 🤠 piece from upsidedowndy australia aka new holland.

[@constancekavanagh1125]

They will....... 💚🇮🇪🙌💪🙏 from Ireland

[@williamconnor7249]

this is a compelling piece of film starved by a government then put to work for that same government . thank you for this film

[@burkey548]

I AM A ENGLAND FAN TO MY HEART I HAVE BEEN ALL OVER THE WORLD TO WATCH ENGLAND BUT AS LONG AS I LIVE I WILL NEVER FOR GET IN LIFE THE TWO GREATEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD ONE WAS FROM CO WESTMEATH AND OTHER WAS FROM CONNEMARA IN CO GALWAY THEY WERE MY AMAZING LOVELY PARENTS RIP YOU ARE IN MY HEART FOR EVER AND EVER I MISS YOU SO SO MUCH

[@Topper954]

A FINE TRIBUTE.

[@alundavies8402]

Topper954 well said

[@james09995]

No finer words!!!!!

[@tomthumb3500]

God Bless you 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@colmmcdonnell6256]

burkey548 its just a pity after such fine words about your parents you couldn’t have been around the world supporting Irish team instead.british occupation of Ireland should never be forgotten or forgive until they leave it for good mabey then we could enjoy watching them playing football

[@Ancupola]

God bless them all. They deserve help and assistance from the Irish government. Irish society should be ashamed for ignoring their plight.

[@lacymcduffie6855]

Yeah. Thats what I think. The Irish are often not kind to each other. For a long time alot of it had to do with the poverty and competition, I think. Theres a saying "blood is no maker of justice."

[@Ancupola]

I find the psychology rather odd to say the very least

[@aidoograinne]

dandylion you bitter nasty bigot, were u colonised? If not I hope u will be

[@emmaohwatts2413]

Aido Ograinne I agree. I'm from UK but I wish no cruel words or harm to others. End of

[@michaelwallace8861]

Ancupola Bloody correct! Especially what the Church did to some of these people in their Magdalene Laundries and other homes of torture and rape.

[@briankidd3074]

Irish people were feared at first, but soon settled in. And most importantly, their children, born in England, were English. A lot of the folks in the 50s and 60s were from the country, and city living was hard for them. But the pubs were great and they mixed in with locals. My father, from Shepherds Bush, in London, doesn't' have a bad word to say about our Irish brothers.

[@jaimelozano8247]

brian kidd Irish will always be Irish and never the UK or any part of Britain that forced itself with rape, genocide and mispalacemnt of millions of native Irish. Irish will never be free unill your great brit gets out!

[@briankidd3074]

Lozano, you're an idiot.

[@damotheman4196]

@@briankidd3074 You summed it up in 3 words! Well said

[@jameshorgan5905]

Brian . I was brought up in Hammersmith/ Shepherd’s Bush in the 60/ to the 80. Most of the kids came from Irish family’s . Had a great up bringing. Learnt quick . London was a lot more friendly then.

[@angelaearley1230]

Thank you for this real, heartfelt documentary that holds so much love and respect for a culture that had to leave their home. God bless them and let us never forget the next generation.

[@djguy100]

Irish politicians.........letting the people of Ireland down since the first day of our independence

[@rorysullivan5694]

Well said that man

[@columbannon9134]

Have you not read your history, England had ruled Ireland for many years and Ireland was left with nothing. After the independence Ireland had no foot hold in the outside world for trade, so of coarse it took time to build from nothing and this was to be very hard for the people of Ireland.

[@jenster29]

colum bannon and now we're being sold out by our own government

[@jenster29]

Conor Lynch really its fucking pathetic at this stage. The EU are using Ireland because they the majority of people are doormats. Anything the EU or RTE say is perfectly fine. Frogs in boiling water.

[@kishjugo4685]

All the republics were a lie from the beginning and they were the ruin of europe and the entire world.

[@DelightLovesMovies]

greetings to the great people of Ireland from Western Australia

[@paulwilson2133]

God I'm still crying , these poor men old and forgotten they deserve more it makes my heart hurt for them, no one should be left alone with no one to talk to or care

[@Darleymead]

i cried for the last 20 minutes. So very sad.

[@emmagiles8128]

Paul Wilson one

[@carolinegauld9570]

Me too. Both my parents were Irish immigrants in London , in the 1960s. We were despised. Mother died in her thirties. My dad was left with a baby, a three year old and a four year old. He died five years later. He did manual work , for a pittance to feed us and it killed him. God bless those lovely men and God forgive those who stood by and did nothing . Thanks for uploading. Everyone should watch this .

[@miriamwells35]

Caroline Gauld Same.

[@funkyfun6308]

I thought the same, God love them

[@ironpirites]

Very well done video. It's an interesting story. It's nice to see that some effort is being made to care for elderly Irish immigrants to England.

[@ftmsafc5537]

My Grandma ran a BnB in Manchester and it was here that she met my Irish Grandad. She had a big sign up at front of her BnB all Irish welcome.My Grandma was not from Manchester but from County Durham in the North East of England. My Grandad was wandering the streets of Manchester looking for a place to stay, he got talking to a lad who said ,"There is a young lady from County Durham runs a BnB down the road who has rooms to rent. My Grandad only turned up at my Grandma's BnB because he thought the young lad he met had said County Down in Northern Ireland and not County Durham in England. Anyway my Grandma had a room for my Grandad and let him have it for half the price cos that is all he had until his first wage packet from the building site he had found work on. After a few weeks of flirting with each other they fell in love and married and after many years of married life in Manchester they moved to Sunderland Co. Durham so my Grandma was close to her family again. My Grandad told me that they rented a flat on a run down council estate in Sunderland. He said when he first saw it , it was like walking through a war zone. He said despite the surroundings and the local gang and high crime rate problems he and my Grandma were very happy because the people of Sunderland were a tough bunch but the nicest, friendliest most welcoming people he had ever met. The North East of England was then and still is now the most run down and forgotten area in England. Lack of government investment in this area for years has resulted in the people having a lot of distrust because the government point blank refuse to invest money in this area. My Grandmother and Grandad had to eventually move to London for work because there was nothing in the North East. My Grandad hated living in London although he had a good job he always said that when he retires he would find a place in the North East to live.They both worked hard and saved up for 25 years living in central London. They bought a place in Co. Durham and lived out the rest of their days together. My Grandad watched the area he fell in love with absolutely devastated and watched it's industry torn down and the resulting unemployed people just totally forgotten. Maggie Thatcher completely destroyed whole communities in our area, my Irish Grandad said to me that the beautiful people of the North East were treated worse than the Irish in their own country and that the people of this area were the most forgotten and ignored people anywhere he had been. But the people of North East reminded him of Irish folk and that he loved us all very much. The greatest man i ever met was an Irishman he was my Grandad a Galway boy.

[@MrBagpipes1971]

Great story,brilliant sentiments and moving to read.

[@markkavanagh4457]

Well said, maybe that's why I always get on with the northern English. Better than the English southerners by several country miles...

[@seamusdoherty8754]

.

[@patriciamillar1962]

I'm Newcastle born and bred and still live in the north east of England. We're known here for being wlecoming and friendly. It's lovely to read your story. On holiday recently in Scotland my husband and myself got talking to some older guys who asked where we were from....they told us we were more scottish than english in their eyes which was lovely because it's easy to feel 'betwixed and between' lol. My great-grandparents on my mothers side were from Scotland and my great-grandparents on my dad's side were from Ireland but sadly I cant find out which part of Ireland he came from. Listening to this I hope he met nice people who helped him out because he came to England in the 1800's....thank you for sharing a part of your history.

[@marymcdonnell1347]

FTM SAFC Is you

[@HannahJack123]

So many times you may be standing on the other side of the room and have the same feelings as that other person across the room but its getting the ball rolling in the right direction and keeping it going, just sharing your story helps more, thank you for this video for these men they are so good.

[@kevinmacnally5096]

I'm Irish too! I grew up in Canada and when a girl was giving me eye and I asked her to dance and she said"NO" I would say, "That's OK! YOU were my last choice anyway!" TRUE STORY!

[@sherp2u1]

I was too nice, I went home and looked long and hard in the Miro, cut my hair, shaved my stache, still no difference, LOL!

[@bloodandsnatters]

Good answer.

[@phillipasalisbury7570]

Hi Kevin MacNally I saw your post I'm of Irish descent on my dad's side Dublin Ireland actually an all I can say about her wrong choice is her loss what was she thinking but hopefully you had a good time anyway love from Australia

[@wuzzielynch7426]

Most of all these old boys would have come from rural parts of Ireland and when all the family couldnt live of the farm they headed across the water for a living like any sensible person would do, they could work because of the back ground they came from and more or less built britain. Its a shame that some ended up in hardship, the pub life didnt help these people, shame to they all got labelled after the terrorist stuff in the midlands. These are people that can walk with their head held high for their effort and commitment to work.

[@rumpraisin]

And at times fought for Britain.

[@boylerallying]

JCBAirmaster73 r

[@michaelwallace8861]

JCBAirmaster73 London Irish Rifles

[@Jojo17405]

Wuzzie Lynch Thank you so much for your kind words.

[@proudinfidel2194]

+JCBAirmaster73 My mum's uncle Jack fought in the battle of the Somme. His friend was killed beside him. Jack lost a leg and suffered from shell shock. British army looked after him though two weeks holiday each year plus a pension. I think they bought him a car and sent it over to Ireland.

[@ronmartinmhg2804]

I worked with these Irishmen in London and Birmingham in the 1950s to late 1970s. Who would have thought they would have ended up as they have. But then so have many of my English countrymen come to the end of their lives, after years of heavy manual work, alone and lonely. Sadly. That's life.

[@sarahbrennan1342]

ron martin Mhg so sad..

[@michaelkenny1326]

ron martin Mhg ww

[@lulassong6524]

That's bad POLITICS.

[@ZimbaZumba]

50+ years ago I lived in areas with lots of Irish immigrant labourers. They were the roughest, toughest men I ever met, even the travelers were careful around them. These men would have been very different when young. This is a wonderful and important documentary, it gives me a new view of the Irish men I knew as a younger men. It is so rare to the see stories and struggles of working class men.

[@bernadettebarry3099]

What a load a bullshit

[@MARKETMAN6789]

I loved this documentry ,im from england but im 67 and now live alone and i feel just like them ,all the irish people ive met have always been nice apart from 1 , i would love to sit with them and listen to their stories ,every person living has a very interesting story to tell,these all looked very nice men

[@ClannCholmain]

Chris B, your daughter was in 6th grade? You’re not Irish.

[@ClannCholmain]

Chris B I’m Irish. Irish neutrality in World War Two was a most extraordinary thing. The first RAF bomber pilot to be shot down and killed in 1939 was Willie Murphy from Cork. His navigator, Larry Slattery, from Thurles, became the longest-serving 'British' POW of the war. The co-pilot of the last RAF bomber to be shot down over Germany, in May 1945, Sgt W Mackay, who was killed, was Irish too. In all, some 250 men from neutral independent Ireland died with RAF Bomber Command, compared with 218 Frenchmen, 136 Czechs and 34 Norwegians, all of whose countries were at war. Nearly 27pc of Irishmen in the British army were made NCOs: a higher percentage than of English soldiers. For every 10,000 Irishmen in the British army, 28 joined the SAS: the overall average was six. At least 11 Irishmen serving with Special Forces were executed by the Nazis. From the liberation of Sicily in 1943 to the defeat of Germany, more than 800 soldiers from neutral Ireland were killed. In 1944 alone, from North and South, some 1,900 Irishmen were killed in action: over five a day. And 16pc of all British military nurses killed in the war were Irish. These are key facts about the Irish involvement in the Allied cause during the war. I could find not one of them in Dark Times, Decent Men. That said, the author has revealed many new stories which will interest the general reader, especially about the largely unexplored Irish-American experience. However, this curiously patchy work makes no apparent mention of the vital statistical analysis done by Yvonne McEwen in Edinburgh University. Thus, the author puts the Irish death toll at 7,500: she has counted nearly 10,000. Nor did the author contact Richard Doherty, who has written several vital books on the Irish and the war. No wonder there are so many spectacular omissions: none of the executed Irish -- Farrell in Norway, Wallace in Bordeaux, and the half-dozen SAS men in Normandy in 1944 -- are mentioned. The legendary Redmond Cunningham is mentioned for his two MCs (Military Crosses) -- but not for his Belgian Croix de Guerre, awarded for his heroism in the bloody aftermath of a V2 strike on Antwerp that killed 126 people and injured him; yet despite his wounds, he remained toiling in the shambles until the last casualty was evacuated. Another southern Irish Catholic hero, William Sheil, a lieutenant in 1940, a one-star general in 1945 with a DSO and bar, is completely overlooked. Lance Corporal Kenneally VC is yet again credited with being Irish, although he was a Birmingham Jew serving under an alias. Yes, there are some interesting personal stories here, but so much is missing. The book has been poorly edited: hence we read on page 185 of "Marshal law", with elsewhere clunky prose abounding. "Then, in 1943 -- due to the fact that the Royal Navy had plenty of men, whereas the British army had a demand for more troops -- Sam volunteered to transfer over to the army in Worchester (sic) (he was one of the many to do so at the time)." We read that Olive Kennington came from Piltown, Co Kilkenny. Ten lines later: "Olive inherited a farm in her native Waterford." I don't know how many times I encountered "sadly, he died": but this was trumped by Eugene Esmonde "dying in an attempt to stop the enemy warships", for which he was given the VC: "but sadly, Eugene's was awarded posthumously". Well, it would be, wouldn't it? (In 1980, the legendary Luftwaffe ace Adolf Galland told me that Esmonde's attempt to sink the German battle-cruisers, the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau, was the bravest deed he'd ever seen. A single phone call to this reviewer could have revealed this, and indeed so much more). Vast amounts of vital space are wasted on the author's attempts to describe the broader strategic background, and even more bizarrely, on events long after the war. www.google.ie/amp/s/amp.independent.ie/lifestyle/the-forgotten-irish-who-fought-in-ww2-28895112.html Total figures on Irish volunteers and war workers remain uncertain, but the number of ‘new travel permits’, identity cards and passports issued to men and women in 1940-1945 was in the region of 200,000. To this should be added the 45,000 which the Department of External Affairs estimated went to the UK between September 1939 and the fall of France in June 1940, after which restrictions were imposed. In other words, out of a total population of approximately 2,968,000 (1936 census), over 8 per cent emigrated during the war. This is all the more significant when it is appreciated that those living in agricultural areas and all those under twenty-two years of age were prohibited from leaving the state, except in exceptional circumstances. If those under fourteen and over sixty-five are excluded, the figure rises to over 13 per cent and if we factor in the restrictions on those under the age of twenty-two, the number who travelled may have been well over 15 per cent of the eligible population. www.historyireland.com/20th-century-contemporary-history/the-forgotten-volunteers-of-world-war-ii/

[@stuartlawsonbeattie6200]

Marketman6789, I am overjoyed at your response being forward thinking friendly and concerned. Everyone else is talking much politics and I for one must admit we are what we are, we can change, but we can't change the past. There is so much negativity form all of the defensive people here and as such we are putting up our fists for a fight. I am Scottish blood but I hold no axe or heart for the gaels as we were all fighting each other at one time or another, point made. If others as you display, have the heart for open minded decent conversation and a laugh as all good Irish do, then we have the answer. Bless you Sir, thank you. And regarding politics and racial history, none of us were here 100, 200 or 3 or 4 hundred years ago and when we listen to stories, who was doing the telling? I come in peace Friend.

[@kristeyh2761]

John Coleman Thank you! Well done and said. I will follow-up with the links. Some of the threads on here are better than the video that started them.

[@markkavanagh4457]

Your clearly a decent man, i take my hat off to you if only all your country men were the same..

[@elizabethconnolly8958]

i am from Dublin i never had tge desire to go to England but always longed to go to somewhere sunny..i did i 74 i come to Australia such a great country warn and sunny..went back to Dublin after 10 years i stayed 5 weeks how me and my husband and children came back to Australia never any regreats thank god

[@m.vincentmcbride2571]

There was a saying in the 80's: it may have been designed by computer but it was still built by Paddy

[@joehiggs100]

An emotional and fascinating documentary, thanks for posting.

[@francescanguyen6703]

Bob Jones I totally agree with you. I have now watched this documentary 5 times, and each time it gets me close to tears.

[@joehiggs100]

It's a shame the 2nd part, from the women's side, mentioned right at the end isn't available on KZbin, same production company.

[@reggiemonroe5791]

vimeo.com/152418512 this is the second part to this

[@joehiggs100]

Thanks very much for your reply , a great countdown, were you involved in the production?

[@reggiemonroe5791]

Bob Jones No mate just found it online for you lol

[@ned1621]

Im an Irishman, born and bred Im now 53, luckily I didn't need to emigrate, but during the late 80s early 90s lots of my friends left for England, a few of them never came back. This is such a sad story but its part of the Irish story.. The Irish built England and America, Im proud of that and proud to be Irish. My grandparents went to England during WW2, my grandfather worked in a wire making factory. My grandmother went over to him, she stayed for 6 month's but came back, she said she hated it there the way the Irish were treated there we were hated. Yet we joined the British army in WW1 and 50,000 Irish died.. Its an odd relationship we have with the Brits. Now ironically everyone wants to come to Ireland.. We have lots of different nationalities here now. It is a very sad legacy of what happened in the 50s and 60s to have to leave and never come back. We are a unique people, we are who we are through our suffering, its in the songs and music, its in our culture we never forget where we came from. We are a friendly people and a very empathetic people because of our past suffering, it makes us who we are. We are not all alcoholics like the stereotypes created in movies and tv. But we do like to enjoy ourselves. I am proud of the bravery of what our past generations had to do to leave their home and never come back.. We were ethnically cleansed by the crown too, but thats history now. Time to move on. God bless....

[@iamjames8403]

America is still being built on the backs of our cheap laboring wages. I make less than the McDonald's workers in the city for labor in the hot sun actually doing something not just flipping a burger.

[@Mary-mj5dk]

Back in late 70,s having come to England as nursing student from Irish Republic we were considers the BLACKS of Europe A Discrimination I experienced so much

[@mattkaustickomments]

I'm so grateful my Grandfather left Co. Donegal and came to America in 1922. He went back to bring my grandmother over in 1927. Although he too had menial jobs and struggled with the drink, he set the roots for the prosperity our family has today.

[@gabrielcox3167]

My paternal grandfather moved from Ireland in 1922 to Canada. He eventually worked his way over to the west coast, settling in the lower mainland area around Vancouver, British Columbia.

[@mattkaustickomments]

Gabriel, do you know the particulars of why your grandfather left in '22? Reading between the lines, I think mine left in '22 due to escaping the Irish Civil War, fought between supporters of the treaty making Ireland a free state (minus Northern Ireland) and the anti-treaty supporters who wanted all-or-nothing. Needless to say, the anti-treaty supporters lost.

[@gabrielcox3167]

He went for greener pastures. He was a farm hand. He met an English woman in Canada, married her and they gave birth to my father, who was a pilot for 37 years. Sadly, my father passed away last year.

[@mattkaustickomments]

Sorry for your loss, and thx for sharing.

[@gabrielcox3167]

No problem:)

[@themaggattack]

This hurts to watch. That mournful, yet whitsful melancholy in their eyes... it reminds me of my grandparents. My grandma and her siblings had to leave their home in Mayo in the 1940's and 1950's. She missed her family and Ireland dearly. She at least was able to keep in contact with a lot of them, which is more than many can say. I'm lucky to still know my Irish family because she made sure we all stayed in touch. As a kid I knew it was very important to her, but I took it for granted then. Only as I've grown older do I even begin to really understand how deep their struggle really was. It's so true about how the door closes once you leave. We are always welcomed home to visit. But only to visit. Not to stay.

[@eileencloonan8261]

Hi Mom & Dad, just wanna say.... Thank You! for moving me to America instead of England! And know.... You ARE the Most Beautiful, Angelic Human Beings I've ever known in my lifetime and I LOVE YOU MORE than YOU WILL EVER KNOW! Thank YOU for making me who I am today! You Lovely, Angelic Human Beings! Cheers! Eileen

[@ciaraodonoghue4681]

my parents met in ireland but moved to england in the late 50s they worked hard n saved up to come home they married in kilburn came home and had 10 kids together we had an amazing life my father worked hard for his family..he died aged 61 21 yrs ago

[@jessiejoemurkin659]

Where they from

[@lulassong6524]

Why so many kids? Spells misery😭

[@miger1824]

Low wages, Poor housing and conditions meant it difficult (almost impossible)to save money for a return. For many, alcohol became a crutch to forget the hard work and their longing for home. Having children here meant that many felt they had no choice but to stay. My parents stayed, but for their sakes (although I wouldn't be here today) I would have have returned to Ireland,I really would.

[@rahenyman]

Great all those people who are doing so much for these people. A lot have English names and they are exceptional people prepared to help these poor unfortunate men. Well done. I admire you.

[@FurnitureFan]

It's so good to see men helping each other out. Those really were a forgotten generation. So glad they organised safer places for them to live together. I felt really sad for the smokers, though. At their age, they aren't going to quit, they've done so well to move and become moderate drinkers. I really felt it was a miserable way to tell him at his age that he had to go to his room if he wanted to have a cigarette. It's a shame that there isn't a smoking area for them. They are adults and lonely and it came across as punishing them for no reason.

[@raymurf7953]

James is brilliant, from a few miles down the rd from were I grew up .

[@Bettykinsella]

I hope he goes home Ray, it nearly broke my heart when his sister Mary did not know him, then him getting her name wrong. I could not stop crying that was the saddest bit of it all, for me. God bless James, I hope he goes home and his family accept him.

[@reesca]

I don't know his age, but he has the facial expressions of a sweet child.

[@petergorham1020]

Bettykinsella a

[@kathleenloverso5654]

I wish they All could live out their remaining years, in the countryside they love 💚🍀💚

[@jamestalley2838]

L

[@sheacurry6066]

Fuck up

[@glitterfaerie08]

Me too....💔 My family deserve to be at peace at home in Ireland...

[@ilooklikeyourmum1431]

They can, nothing stopping them going back?

[@here_we_go_again2571]

Since Ireland joined the EU; the bureaucrats in Brussells are opening up Ireland to immigrants. The EU insists that Ireland takes in foreigners from Africa, the Middle East. They are crowding the older, native Irish out of the cities.

[@LeeAnneG]

Makes me wish my Irish dad had told me more stories. I know he believed I would be better not knowing. He was wrong about that. I miss him; hearing the Irish lilt helps a bit. 😢

[@lucycolgan3362]

I'm from Ireland live to know this Leea95

[@richiemarshall2755]

Peaple are not schooled in the principal that all races thought out the world suffered and struggled to survive that human condition is knowen as poverty❤it's allways been a dame shame

[@johnburton2874]

​@@lucycolgan3362 HITLER____GENOCIDE OF THE JEWS ENGLAND____GENOCIDE OF THE IRISH,,,, OVER ONE MILLION MEN,, WOMEN,,AND CHILDREN, I HAVE NOTHING MORE TO SAY,,,,,,,,

[@rozannaedwro934]

Same with my Dad and Irish grandparents they never talked about their past. They didn’t want their past to scar my future. 💕

[@tango6nf477]

When I was young I couldn't understand why there was such prejudice between people. I saw English disliking Irish, Scots disliking English and Irish disliking Irish it was all very confusing. I was lucky, my parents God bless them disliked nobody so I was brought up with that mentality also. It took a long time to understand the history (in its broadest terms) that has led to all this prejudice and ill feeling. I am now in my 60's and I have worked alongside, and made friends with Irish, Welsh, Scots, Black, Brown, Muslim, Hindu and many others and one thing I have learned is that they are all human beings deserving of respect. I think our ancestors have a lot to answer for and sadly their "legacy" will take time to overcome. Best wishes to the Irish nation and its people. An English man.

[@romystumpy1197]

I was aware of the Irish and Scots in England where I was born,I just thought of them having a different accent and that's it,but then my parents were from Poland and Hungary so I'm a first generation brit

[@angelawestcliff6529]

My Mum came to England in 1947 aged 17 she had Alien stamped in her passport and everywhere she went 'No Irish No Blacks No Dogs' The jobs available were the worst and back breaking. My Aunts came over in the 60s but unlike my Mum they didn't sound 'Irish' I asked my Mum about this & she said 'you don't lose what you don't want to'. My Aunts were ashamed of being Irish. My Mus was the 1st Irish Woman to receive the MBE.

[@dannymcmince]

Good on your Mum, you must be so proud of her!

[@angelawestcliff6529]

Aye I am. Sadly she died 14yrs ago.

[@dannymcmince]

So sorry

[@angelawestcliff6529]

Thank you Danny-Boy! Sadly that's life innit....we live..we die...we laugh we cry.....Hope this is my last life though, don't wanna come back to this world...

[@dannymcmince]

Angela Westcliff very true Angela!

[@stevensteelman3030]

Boston and Chicago love the Irish. Alot of Irish and Scottish built America... Farmers builders movers the circle will never be broken.

[@calumroney7352]

Don't forget the people that built the US.Those SCOTS AND ULSTER SCOTS more than any other.

[@KP-vg3zn]

Don't forget the Protestants who had to flee their homeland because of the Catholic Power abuse. That's what makes America great. Our ancestors came here & built the freedom we have today.

[@joebyrne3159]

@@KP-vg3zn, what homeland do you talk about, Northern Ireland wasn't yours in the first place, you robbed it, the flag, the name Ulster, the music and its culture, because u had none of your own!

[@joebyrne3159]

@@calumroney7352 Ulster, is an Irish name!

[@Parseenfroo]

@@joebyrne3159 Well said Joe.

[@misssmith8770]

For good, for bad-I'm proud of my Irish heritage.

[@melissalove2463]

Ms. Smith Same! 💕🇮🇪💕

[@terrygribb9185]

Me to

[@honey-feeney9800]

Miss Smith me, too! Honey Feeney

[@jayd1974]

As 2’nd generation Irish I’m proud too🇮🇪👍

[@adhamhmacconchobhair4407]

Me who's family lived in Ireland since the viking age👁👄👁

[@dhss333]

I worked With these People, my fellow Irish, in the mid-70s: they were glad to be quit of DeValera's Catholic state, poverty, backwardness.

[@tomnolan5258]

They fought to gain their freedom and ended up slaves.

[@elizabethsheffield6609]

@@tomnolan5258 ...........to the E.U.

[@aidanhayunga2709]

Issues of Ireland, I love you for your candidance! Away with Patrick's snakes and up with the Shamrock. Donegal is all of your'n home. Anytime, I'll be ready to stay in Donegal, Galway, or Connemara! Challenge. [e-mail]

[@noelmoran790]

It might only be a relatively short journey from Ireland to England but when I was a kid and used to land in Ireland to me it was like arriving in heaven.The people were so friendly and different clocks might have well not been invented.Some of the kids didn't have shoes so I would kick mine off.It always took a while to acclimatise to this niceness but not long,when I did the thoughts of going back to England was terrible.I used to miss everyone new and old faces for ages,and strangely enough I can only recall the sunshine,I don't think it rained so frequently then always feel very privileged to have experienced these halcyon wonderful times because of my Irish parents and family and I still feel the same every time I'm lucky enough to go back.

[@fiona2398]

The Forgotten Irish are no longer forgotten because of this wonderful documentary. It makes me really sad to think how hard these men had it. There is no question that the Orphanage system in Ireland abused children. Disgraceful! And also disgraceful that they were marginalized and discriminated against both in Ireland and Britain. As the poem goes, 'They have served their time in Hell, may they all find love, acceptance and peace in Heaven.' I am very glad to see that someone finally is now helping these good, hard working Irish men. I am an Irish person who loves Ireland despite it's problems and always will. I wish the best for all Irish people wherever they may live. Fiona in Canada

[@franklinstephen3268]

Hello how're you doing?

[@NoelBellBlog]

Very sensitive film and full of heart warming characters. It touches on the sense of belonging for these men at a time when Irishness was viewed with suspicion in many parts of Britain. The artist made a poignant point when he said a lot of them after visiting Ireland would be asked when were they going back. End of life care is something so often not discussed or prepared for. For men like this a supportive housing environment can really help with their isolation but others would feel it might take away from their perceived independence. Everyone has a story but are the stories getting heard?

[@oldones59]

Have you ever suffered anything? Smug bastard.

[@mikede1561]

I'm Irish my grandfather served USMC, died in France saving the British. My father is Irish served USMC. I'm Irish served as USMC recon marine. Now tell me who's the UK's best friend in times of need.

[@davehoward22]

What do you mean to save the British ? Do you think Hitler would have left Ireland alone?

[@jackienoone5890]

My great father served in the British Naval as a young man....frim Galway. God bless him...lived a shirt life 💚🙏

[@Runamokish]

I am a first generation English born child of Irish immigrant parents from this period, and I stumbled upon this documentary by accident. I was amazed to see the appearance of the artist Bernard Canavan, as he was the lecturer of an Irish History module I studied some years ago. He is a very interesting character and the Irish migrant experience in England is the focus of his artwork, a largely unexamined phenomenon. Seeing Bernard brought back some fond memories of the discussions he would lead during lectures, and his passion for Irish history was clearly evident. I think that a lot of this history is in danger of being lost, and that part of the reason for this is the very private and reserved nature of many Irish people from this period. I certainly recognise these traits in members of my own family, and I think that I have personally inherited them myself, which is a bit of a disadvantage in today's world. Anyway, the documentary was moving and raises a lot of questions, thanks for posting it on youtube.

[@yaboi993]

Same bro

[@bernardlynch8308]

Leopold M'Intosh mj

[@seanoreilly3806]

A very welcome and realistic portrail of what happened to the mant Irish in Britain - but we are still close to our English cousins and never forget the terrible suffering g of the English working class

[@JT-zn3wb]

I was in kilburn in the late 80s early 90s.worked hard drank harder came home had kids secure job.but every day I think of the london irish who are still there great men and women .went back this year on holiday with family to kilburn met the few irish men in a few irish pubs that are left.the old bell irish club in quex rd ,earl derby.prince of wales.to the men and women I met I salute ye all .god bless ye.

[@25pappy]

This documentary broke my heart.

[@Veronicamarie1000]

My mother and her sisters and brothers left Ireland in starting in 1939 when the oldest left. My mother left in 52 when she was 15 to go work. Luckily she had her older sisters to look after her. I am so glad I found this video as I did not know the scale of immigration. Thank you for posting it.

[@58johnjohn]

I'm "second generation", my family always taught me to be proud of my Irish heritage, which I am and I visit family in Ireland regularly, but these documentaries highlight the fact that most of the fault lies with Irish politicians and Irish contractors they worked for, one of my Uncles would only work for English contractors in the 1960's. The people who have helped the now vulnerable ones are groups based in England, and when you think of the billions of pounds people like my Mother and thousands like her sent back in remittances to a largely ungrateful country who didn't really want to know them.!!

[@rachelmoran2205]

I'd suggest you read some history books that focus on British colonialism in Ireland. The poverty that drove Irish people to the UK and much further was a direct consequence of it. So no, the fault for this tragic situation does not ultimately lie with "Irish politicians and Irish contractors." Also many of us Irish did and do love our brothers and sisters in the diaspora.

[@rubystaging237]

when I heard that woman in the Titanic movie saying: "let the lifeboats be seated according to classes" . my God how I see that happening in real life. the division of the poor and the rich. the injustices and discrimination

[@thecrazyenglishman1066]

My father was a Limerick man, came over here in the 50s married a London girl, I was born 1959. My dad worked his butt off all his life. My Irish uncle and aunts , my Irish Catholic upbringing I the poverty of East London. They made it feel like heaven on earth. So giving, so caring. I am not fit to stand in their in their shadows.

[@jimmymorgan3324]

John. Your. Storey. Is. Exactly. Like. Mine I to was born in 1958. Irish. Father. London. Mother. Brought up in. Hammersmith . GREAT TIMES .

[@thecrazyenglishman1066]

@@jimmymorgan3324 Yes, Jimmy, great times, I feel privileged to have been a part of it. Hope life is treating you well, Jimmy. Take care and God bless.

[@merseydave1]

I am an Englishman from Liverpool, in our city Irish people have integrated into our society thus enhancing our culture. I love the isIand of Ireland, its a beautiful land ..... yet it does not have an economic industrial base or any state social support structures such as Our N.H.S. Ireland and its institutions run by the catholic church, have a lot to be ashamed of ... these are the reasons for Ireland's Forgotten People. The Shame is on the oppressive conservative structures of Irish society and its lack of employment opportunities within its country.

[@michaelheery7427]

Still i pity the english and having to join army.

[@aughalough1]

David Cummings, More like 900 years of British oppression in Ireland totally fucked up the place try reading about the famine and the genocide committed by the English !! Very convenient for the English to blame the Catholic Church to let themselves off the hook !! Only for Catholic Church there would be no education during this period

[@jimbobjimjim6500]

YES WE DO HAVE STATE SOCIAL SUPPORT STRUCTURES......Our one weeks dole is about a months dole on the UK, we also have free doctor and hospital care for people who are poor or cant afford it by giving them whats known as a "medical card". We also have free University for poor people in the form of government grants. Every benefit you have, we have, just in a different form.

[@theshamanarchist5441]

@David Cummings the social welfare state is the enemy of hard working men. It was created by The Fabian Society (who later became the Labour Party) to destroy family unit and force people to rely on the state rather than their own kind in times of financial hardship. If 'the state' gives you something for free then it's been stolen from somebody who actually works for a living. There's no such thing as a free lunch. #commieparasite

[@kellyedey549]

@@aughalough1 you have the Africans coming to Ireland now, how happy you must be.

[@dianebarrett7340]

I was the 3rd of 3 children, My father came from Dublin my mother from Donegal & they met & married in London. This documentary made me realise how hard it must have been too be Irish in England. I'm so proud to be of Irish parents but it's a pride that the diaspora had to hide whilst living amongst the then enemy.

[@kathleendelaney335]

They worked dam hard and it must have been lonely and hard for them all fab film

[@pw191164]

The British government throw money at immigrants that haven't contributed anything to their new country, yet these men gave their working lives to Britain, not to mention leaving their families back home in Ireland, yet they get precious little, the government owe these men a comfortable retirement in comfortable homes.

[@karl_thwub]

@patch oconnor I think the guy knew that already. "You dumb bastard" was out of order.

[@princebuster93]

paul karibu The British Government don't treat the British very well either....the recent muslim immigrants are being used to destroy Britain, the culture and traditions. I feel sorry for the English, Welsh and Irish, sold out, used, deceived and lied to by corrupt Governments. Love the Irish, north and south. My mother in law is from the north....love her so much. May Jesus Christ comfort your hearts and may you turn to him in faith for your salvation. Only one way to be forgiven, reconciled to God, that is through the blood of Christ. We all have a story, but Jesus will never leave, forsake or lie to you. God bless you all

[@chrisclark1761]

Irish people are entitled to pensions in the UK - so that's a lie.

[@pentangle78]

Irish people, you are among the best people I have ever met in my life.

[@yupper4030]

We are people, like all. But thank you

[@rosamariamendoza1466]

Beautiful, beautiful accent!( what do you call it, the brogue!) Such sadness in their eyes, in this hard working, loyal good people.I learned quite a few facts, but the one of instituded children breaks my heart!

[@elizabethsheffield6609]

.....have you seen or read 'Angela's Ashes'?

[@elainebines6803]

elizabeth sheffield i know not directed at me but would like to ask a question - my mother came over from Ireland in the same way so is Angela ashes based on a true story?

[@elizabethsheffield6609]

Hi Elaine - I 'believe' Frank McCourt wrote his book based mainly on truths, from HIS actual experiences, but these days, many deny it ever happened as the poverty depicted is so dreadful it's been said it must be a fictional story. That is what I gleaned from the web anyway. Both the book and film certainly brought tears to the eyes, as will the films here on KZbin about "The Magdalene Laundries" (also operating in Ireland) and the girls forced to work in them. (Have a Google around :)

[@elainebines6803]

elizabeth sheffield ok thankyou for replying. i think i would tend to believe story is true and will try to get book - my mother was the youngest of 16 children all passed now, apart from one aunt who sadly has dementia. They came over from Ireland when my mother was fjve and i always sensed my mother had a chip on her shoulder - even when i was a young child - she was extremely proud she was from Killarney Ireland but the stories that unfolded through the years i was shocked - 🙄

[@elizabethsheffield6609]

Elaine - yes it's absolutely amazing how much has come out into the public eye especially in the last 10 years or so about these Nun-run convents/laundries/institutions and other so-called 'schools'. I believe some of the women did receive some sort of compensation or acknowledgment of their plight by 'The Catholic Church'?' although you'd be hard-pressed to find much on msm. I can imagine your mum had her eyes opened, as she got older, realising how much worse her life could have been had the family stayed in Ireland at that time - and it wasn't even that long ago really! Good for her (and you) that she 'escaped for a better one.' You could probably get Frank McCourt's book/s on Amazon or Ebay ;>)

[@nuriaalvarez6244]

Glad James has a new home and will be surrounded by people.

[@claramurphy1336]

Many many years ago I had two uncles who went to England to work. When it came to sorting her will , my grandmother never wanted to will the family house to the daughter who stayed at home as she always wanted there to be a home for the lads for whenever they arrived back . Eventually she did , once my aunt assured her that the brothers would always have a home with her - and they did ..... After seeing this documentary, I’m so proud of my grandmother - she died 1970 ....

[@panchopuskas1]

What a great but very sad documentary. Being an immigrant/emigrant can be a very lonely life as I found from my own experience. Maybe it's time for Ireland's new generation to come to terms with the problems that they are facing. So much talent and goodwill that leaves their shores........attitudes need to change. Getting rid of religious based schools could be a start.......but only a start.....

[@lesleypeach3641]

My heart breaks for you. Im in New Zealand and have spent time in your wonderful country and loved it so much the people are wonderful much love to you all. 😘💕😘👍⭐⭐

[@lunasky1819]

Ahh how I remember school the good old days where you were constantly being beaten with rulers and sticks.for fidgeting during prayers age 6 I had my hands tied behind my back with a rope for the rest of the day.not long after my communion I made a mistake one day I committed a terrible crime for which my teacher came up behind me and smashed my little head off the desk and broke my glasses and I was told to tell my mother I fell or I'd get the stick the next day.now to my crime I looked out the window for a split second...Ireland was and will always be beautiful...but the cruelty inflicted on her children and brutality that was dished out by our teachers was nothing short of sadistic torture

[@clavichord]

No wonder many in the Rep of Ireland have since turned away from the Catholic church. Maybe also society was still more brutalised back then due to the harsh events of Irish history and British opression of the past, while younger Irish generations now are brought up in different economic, cultural and political circumstances

[@SadbhR77]

My mother was my teacher. I have dyslexia and boy did I get hit lol. Big cane. There wasn't a week went past I didn't get hit. We had a stove to heat the classrooms and the toilets were outside. This was the early eighties. Life changes slowly in Ireland.

[@debbief9861]

Horrible.

[@elizabethsheffield6609]

@@Thetavern09 ........a friend who is now 74 was also taught by sadistic nuns in a Catholic School in North London .. They did very little "caring " and enjoyed dishing out cruelty to other people's children to spite their own nasty pledges not to marry and enjoy healthy relationships. I.M.O.

[@annedon776]

Kids being beaten by the nuns and priests. God I hope they all burn in hell for what they did to those poor children. Sad thing is people look up to many of these nasty people today. Irish are hard working, kind, funny as hell and would give you the shirt off their backs.

[@deborahwylde1410]

I did the opposite! Fell in love with Ireland in my mid teens so myself and a school friend moved over to Dublin in late 60s. We had a few wonderful years there. I eventually moved on, but a big chunk of my heart remains in Dublin. 💓