The 1970s
Throughout the 1970s the Irish Centre: held a multitude of different events, underwent renovations, supported the community in times of need and celebrated those who have given so much to the community.
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Photo: Irish Dancers with Bishop Harris, 1972 or 1973
Inside the Irish Centre in the 1970s...
Key Events & Entertainment in the 1970s
1971: A Visit, Dancing Competitions & the 50th Anniversary of the Truce
1971 was very much a busy year for the Irish Centre. The Secretary's Report of 1971 records multiple significant events including:​​
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A visit to the Irish Centre by Irish schoolchildren led to the teacher offering a tribute to the Centre: "I think a visit to the Irish Centre and a study of its aims have opened the eyes of our pupils to what it means to be Irish ..." For the Centre, this was 'the most treasured compliment ever received by the Irish Centre. It makes all our hard work seem worthwhile and serves as an inspiration for us to maintain the aims and ideals which are written in to our charter- "The spiritual, temporal and cultural welfare of Irish people on Merseyside"
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In April, 10 dancers from M. Bolger's class won the award for the best overall performance in the Dancing Section of the Bootle and Litherland Festival of Arts held at Bootle Town Hall. They also won the International and Irish Sections (Figure Dancing). In the report from Miss M. Bolger, she reported the the adjudicator described it 'as one of the best performances he had seen from children of their age'.
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Another highlight for the Bolger Dancing Class was 23 dancers and 4 adults competing in the World Dancing Championships held in Dublin in April.
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'To commemorate the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Truce marking the cessation of hostilities in Ireland, on Sunday, July 11th 1971. Mass was celebrated at Holy Cross Church for the repose of the souls of those who died for Ireland in the War of Independence. Members of the Old I.R.A. and Cumann na mBan were invited to the Mass and attended a reception afterwards at the Irish Centre.
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1971: The Grand National Cabaret Supper Dance
The Grand National was often celebrated in the Irish Centre and in 1971, a Cabaret Supper Dance was held. Flick through the images to see what was happening, the menu and the press release celebrating the event. Michael O'Hehir and Pat Taaffe were the principal guests.
1972: The Troubles & Bloody Sunday
The events in Northern Ireland had an important impact on the Irish Centre in Liverpool. One of the key events was that of Bloody Sunday. Tommy Walsh reported its significance in Being Irish in Liverpool:
‘In my entire life in Irish Community affairs, I have never experienced a reaction such as there was on the night of what became known as Bloody Sunday in Derry 30 January 1972. On that evening, we opened as usual but there was no music or entertainment. Attendance was higher than usual and everyone said the same thing: they had to come in to the Centre to be among Irish people. There was plenty of talk and plenty of silence’-Tommy Walsh, Being Irish in Liverpool, p. 122.
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Here are just some of the leaflets commemorating Bloody Sunday and the Irish Centre's response to it:
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The Irish Centre had vigils for those who had died at Bloody Sunday including one attended by Dr Emmet Clarke, Thomas Clarke (a signatory of the 1916 Proclamation) and Kathleen Clarke's son. Irish Centre committee, staff and members also supported numerous charities including the Northern Ireland Children’s Holiday Scheme scheme which organised holidays for children from Derry and Belfast to Connemara. Those involved in the Irish Centre also wrote to MPs, and raised awareness about what the Special Powers Act of Northern Ireland entailed. A fund was set up called the Innocent Dependants' Fund. In the Secretary's Report from 1972, an extract was included from a Long Kesh internee who wrote:
"Believe me, you are doing the best work possible, for which we could never adequately thank you. We here, feel very proud of such wonderful and generous people like those who have contributed and will be for ever indebted to you all".
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The Fund had sent in excess of £2,300 for the relief of distress among the families of the internees and money was sent mostly to Canon Padraig Murphy, Parish Priest at St John’s, Fall Road, Belfast who sent the funds to people in need. Fr Padraig Murphy was the guest of honour at Annual Dinner on Feast of St. Brigid, 1972. The Irish Centre was also in contact with Fr Denis Faul.
The impact of the Troubles was felt throughout the 1970s. The Birmingham Pub Bombing led to a policeman on duty on a 24 hour basis outside of the Irish Centre, and functions suffered as attendance dropped by a third.When the Prevention of Terrorism Act was introduced in 1974, the Irish Centre and the Federation of Irish Societies gave support to many Irish people arrested indiscriminately at the port of Liverpool and campaigned against the Act throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
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June 1972
This pamphlet captures a lot of what was happening in 1972 in the Irish Centre. There were regular events such as Gaelic football matches, dances, and shows. However, there were also major renovations, and a lot of fundraising for the Innocent Dependants Fund. The importance of Charity Dances, was also emphasised in the 1972 Secretary Report as it was labelled as 'the most gratifying development' and that:
"These functions have given the Irish Centre the opportunity to extend the role it plays in the life of the Irish Community on Merseyside and pays tribute to those individuals who have worked so hard and sacrificed their own time to alleviate the sufferings of their fellow Irish people."
29th September 1972: Kathleen Clarke's Death
In 1972, Kathleen Clarke passed away. Kathleen Clarke was a founder member of Cumann na mBan, and the widow of Thomas Clarke who was executed 3 May 1916 for his role in the Easter Rising. She was a politician in her own right and became the first woman Lord Mayor of Dublin in 1939. She had been a regular visitor to the Irish Centre as she had lived in Liverpool with her son Dr. Emmet. She was given a state funeral to which Chris Johnson and Tommy Walsh were invited. ​You can see a short clip of Kathleen Clarke's state funeral here.
Harry McHugh, a member of the Irish Centre Committee, and Kathleen Clarke
1972: A Response from Éamon de Valera
Attached to the last page of a bulletin in October 1972 was this response from de Valera thanking the Centre for sending a 90th birthday message:
'A New Irish Centre': Renovations in 1972 & 1973
By December 1972, the old stage and old main bar had been demolished. Renovations were also carried out in the Claddagh Room and Lounge. The Centre remained open during these renovations.
The 8th Anniversary Dinner on 1st February 1973 celebrated the formal opening of the "New Irish Centre".
The 1973 Secretary Report documented that:
"The highlight of the year was the completion and opening of the extension, which provides a new stage with dressing rooms for the artistes, a large activity room, an executive office and improved facilities both for social welfare work and for general administration."
The secretary, Sadie Redmond, also included an extract from an Officer of the Irish Tourist Development: "The presence of the Centre helped me enormously in my work.... Now that I am back in Ireland... I should like to acknowledge my appreciation of the wonderful contribution being made by the Centre to Ireland"
1974-5: A Decade of the Irish Centre
The end of 1974 and beginning of 1975 symbolised a decade of the Irish Centre in Liverpool. In the Secretary Report of 1974, it was clear how much the Irish Centre meant to people and had evolved throughout its years:
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1975: Tommy Walsh, Irishman of the Year in Britain
In 1975, Tommy Walsh was awarded "Irishman of the Year in Britain" in a poll conducted by the Irish Post. This was especially significant as Tommy was not Irish-Born but was Irish descent. The Irish Centre included the special announcement below on its bulletin:
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1976: Archbishop of Liverpool, Derek Worlock
In 1976, Archbishop Beck left his role as Archbishop of Liverpool. He had been a major supporter of the Irish Centre. In his place, Derek Worlock became the Archbishop of Liverpool. He also supported the Irish Centre, attending annual dinners and even acting as the concelebrant of the St Patrick's Mass in the Irish Centre over the years. It is unclear what year these photographs were taken but they show just one of these masses and the tradition of St Patrick's Mass has lasted to today!
1976: New Activities
The Secretary Report of 1976 comments on some new activities such as:
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'Although the G.A.A. is an organisation of long-standing on Merseyside, during the past year, for the first time, a juvenile team has been in operation, and functioning successfully thanks to the enthusiasm and support of a number of parents within the Centre'.​​​​​
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A Soccer team was formed within the Irish Centre: Finn Harps F.C. They were attached to the Catholic Men's Society. Sean Loughran Sr. was appointed the Manager of the Team.
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An Irish Ballad Night on Fridays was suggested and caught on in popularity. Frank Winters played a key role in the ballad nights, entertaining with songs and recitations, and encouraging others to join in.
It is not clear what year these photographs were taken but they highlight the John Mitchel Youth Teams throughout the years. The first photo includes John Hegarty (Trainer) at Ellesmere Port and the second photograph was taken at Newsham Park.
Frank Winters
1977: Pool Competitions
With the introduction of a Pool table to the Irish Centre, a Pool Knockout Competition emerged which was organised by Michael Quinlan. Here are some photos of the Pool Competition winners with their awards throughout the years:
1978: Community Awards
In 1978, the Irish Centre received the Allied Irish Bank/Irish Post Community Award. Part of the reason why the Irish Centre won was that "there is a style - even an elegance - about how things are done at the Liverpool Irish Centre'
This photograph shows Joe England receiving the award from Jim McDonagh. You can still see the Community Award in the Heritage Room of the current Irish Centre today!
The news of the award was covered in the Nuacht Bulletin below:
1978: Dungarvan- A Lasting Connection
In 1978, a meeting between Monnie Hallahan and Tommy Walsh in Cahir House had an important legacy. Over the past 48 years, Dungarvan and Liverpool have been connected by a tradition of visits alternating over the years. In 2019, the Bolger Cunningham Dance School was given a civic reception hosted by Cathaoirleach John Pratt in Dungarvan.
The Sliabh gCua Set Dancers appeared many times at the Irish Centre, and although there is no year on the photo below, there was a message handwritten: 'The Sliabh gCua Set Dancers from Touraneena Dungarvan Co. Waterford who entertained in the Centre at Easter'.
1979: Annual Dinner
Senator Seamus de Brun, Sadie Redmond and Bishop Kevin McNamara
Brian Hughes (Manager of Irish Export Board), Senator de Brun, Bridie Ryan and Tom Walsh admiring a Gaeltarra Eireann Sweater
Senator Seamus de Brun, Sadie Redmond and Bishop Kevin McNamara
1979: The First An Tostal
Another tradition that lasts to today was also born in the 1970s: the An Tostal Festival. The June 1979 Nuacht reported that was 'a huge success' and the 'attendance was terrific'. The Tug of War 'generated massive enthusiasm and Comhaltas who were regarded outsiders won the mens final while in the ladies final the Irish Centre Bar Staff were the winners'. The impact of its success was also clear in the 1979 Secretary's Report.
1979 Secretary's Report.
From Left to Right: Fr. Sean O’Connor, Dennis Gollock, Tommy Walsh, Archbishop Derek Worlock, Canon O’Connor, and Sadie Redmond.