The Leeds Irish Community

Almost every Irish family has been touched by emigration. Since 1800 one out of every two people born on the island of Ireland has emigrated. It has been the central thread in the relationship between Ireland and the rest of the world, especially Britain.

Today, the Irish Diaspora (Irish emigrants & their descendants) includes 80 million people worldwide. This is more than 13 times the current population of the island of Ireland.

The Irish in Britain

The Irish are the longest established and largest minority community in Britain. Four out of every five children born in Ireland between 1931 and 1941 emigrated in the 1950s with the majority crossing the Irish Sea to Britain.

By 1971 there were almost one million Irish-born persons living in Britain, and 10,000 were living in Leeds. In Britain today there are at least 1.7 million people born to Irish parents, and as many as 6 million of Irish descent.

The Irish in Leeds

The City of Leeds is nestled in the Aire Valley of West Yorkshire in north-central England, east of the Pennine Range. There has been a substantial Irish Community in the City for almost two centuries. Today, this community numbers some 50,000 persons.

The Untold Stories website, using a combination of a documentary film, and historical narrative accompanied by more than 250 photographs, bears testament to this long-standing and vibrant community.

The Irish in Britain

The Irish are the longest established and largest minority community in Britain. Four out of every five children born in Ireland between 1931 and 1941 emigrated in the 1950s with the majority crossing the Irish Sea to Britain. By 1971 there were almost one million Irish-born persons living in Britain, of whom more than 10,000 were living in Leeds. In Britain today there are at least 1.7 million people born to Irish parents, and as many as 6 million of Irish descent.

Although it is not always highlighted, for the majority of Irish in Britain the migrant experience was a positive one. After the natural stresses of leaving home for another country, most found work and settled, made friends and met partners, married and raised families, whilst keeping in touch with home. Some eventually returned to live in Ireland, but the majority chose to stay in their adopted homeland.

The Irish in Leeds

The City of Leeds is nestled in the Aire Valley of West Yorkshire in north-central England, east of the Pennine Range. There has been a substantial Irish Community in the City for almost two centuries. Today, this community numbers some 50,000 persons. The Untold Stories website, using a combination of a documentary film, and historical narrative accompanied by more than 250

photographs, bears testament to this long-standing and vibrant community. There are also recommended reading lists for those interested in delving a little deeper into the subjects covered throughout the website. An online image archive, which allows registered users to add additional information and leave comments, completes the website.

Emigration & The Irish Diaspora

In the early 1800s Ireland’s population was growing at an alarming rate, so much so that by 1841 the population of the island was more than 8 million - almost half the combined population of England, Scotland and Wales.

Leaving Home

By 1951 there were just over 6,000 people born on the island of Ireland living in Leeds. So why did so many people leave their homes in Ireland, and why did they choose to travel to the Yorkshire city of Leeds?

Schools Irish Cultural Day

The Leeds Irish community today numbers some 25,000 persons, of whom about 16,500 were born in Britain. So how aware are the next generations about Irish culture and their Irish heritage?

Funders

Untold Stories is an archive project supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Its key aim is to document the Leeds Irish community and raise awareness of the many contributions that it has made to life in Leeds.