Stepping into the vibrant world of dancehalls and céilís, we return to the voices from our first two episodes and explore the social customs that shaped them as we delve a little bit deeper into their experience of settling in Manchester throughout the 50s, 60s, and 70s. We also hear about connecting with family back home and discover why letter-writing was more than just a pastime but a lifeline, the diversity and volume of their working lives, and the heartfelt moment Melvyn Bragg expressed gratitude towards the Irish on behalf of the UK.

Don’t forget to follow us if you’re listening on Spotify and leave a comment – we’d love to hear if any stories resonate with you! If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts please leave us a review, it really helps us share these stories further. If you’re on instagram, follow us! We post images relevant to each episode @taliha.podcast.

The podcast is produced by Blueprint Studios and music throughout the series is created, played, and produced by Michael McGoldrick. This episode features additional music from melodeon player Damien Mullane and fiddle-player Emma Sweeney. Thank you to Big Tom’s family for generously providing us with permission to use ‘I Would Like to See You Again’ by Big Tom & The Travellers, recorded live in The Top Rank Studio's Castleblayney 1980. Thank you also to RTE for providing additional SFX from their archives. This material should not be reproduced or edited.

You can find a transcription of this episode on our website www.theresalotihaventasked.co.uk/podcast

Creator: Hannah Donelon

Music: Michael McGoldrick

Producers: Ian Stewart and Gary Hadfield at Blueprint Studios

Assistant Editors: Nicholas Barber & George Fitzgibbon

Assistant Producers: Nicholas Barber & Catherine Leen

Podcast Artwork: Chloe Heffernan

Marketing Consultant: Vic Turnbull at MIC Media

‘There’s A Lot I Haven’t Asked’ is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and also supported by the Consulate General of Ireland, Manchester.

A huge thank you to all the voices on this episode (in order of appearance): Mary Muszanskyj, Nellie Walsh, Fr. Michael O’Leary, Rose Morris, Kathleen Molloy, Sheila, Liam Goodwin, Katherina, Gerry Connaughton, Joe Moran, Bridie Rodden, Tommy Grogan, John, and Eamonn McCarthy.

Rose’s poetry can be found in Manchester Irish Writers publication ‘Life and Soul’ available to purchase from Waterstones.

With thanks to Irish Mancunian for additional research support and Made by Mortals for additional production support.
We would also love to report any feedback you have to our funders and to improve our practise so if you have 5 minutes, please fill in our survey to let us know your thoughts: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfIfu12NaBtMLEa2eAaXQwTG6_yrBocWB8uVAQ4AKq9Kjnc5A/viewform?usp=sf_link⁠

Tracing the footsteps of those who emigrated from Ireland to Manchester, we uncover the ache, hope, and doubt of leaving home behind, first impressions of a new city, and the varied experiences that shaped those first crucial days in Manchester. Each voice carries an individual perspective; together their stories reveal a quiet resilience and the many shades of starting over.

Don’t forget to follow us if you’re listening on Spotify and leave a comment – we’d love to hear if any stories resonated with you! If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts please leave us a review, it really helps us share these stories further! If you’re on instagram, follow us! We post images relevant to each episode @taliha.podcast.

The podcast is produced by Blueprint Studios and music throughout the series is created, played, and produced by Michael McGoldrick. This episode features additional music from fiddle-player Emma Sweeney. With special thanks to RTE for providing additional SFX from their archives. This material should not be reproduced or edited.

The song Tommy Grogan sings in the episode is 'The Shores of Amerikay'

This episode includes references to racism. You can find a transcription of this episode on our website www.theresalotihaventasked.co.uk

Creator: Hannah Donelon

Music: Michael McGoldrick

Producers: Ian Stewart and Gary Hadfield at Blueprint Studios

Assistant Editors: Nicholas Barber & George Fitzgibbon

Assistant Producers: Nicholas Barber & Catherine Leen

Podcast Artwork: Chloe Heffernan

Marketing Consultant: Vic Turnbull at MIC Media

‘There’s A Lot I Haven’t Asked’ is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and also supported by the Consulate General of Ireland, Manchester.

A huge thank you to all the voices on this episode (in order of appearance): John, Joe Moran, Tommy Grogan, Katherina, Sheila, Gerry Connaughton, Bridie Rodden, Nellie Walsh, Mary Muszanskyj, Eamonn McCarthy, Kathleen Molloy, and Rose Morris.

Additional commentary on smog in the episode was drawn from the University of Manchester and the Manchester Evening News.

With thanks to Irish Mancunian for additional research support and Made by Mortals for additional production support.

We would also love to report any feedback you have to our funders and to improve our practise so if you have 5 minutes, please fill in our survey to let us know your thoughts: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfIfu12NaBtMLEa2eAaXQwTG6_yrBocWB8uVAQ4AKq9Kjnc5A/viewform?usp=sf_link⁠

Through heartwarming memories of childhood in rural Ireland, we learn about life before emigration. From neighbours gathering in to storytell around the open-fire to gazing up at a sky covered in millions of stars, we’re transported back in time. We also learn how working on the land from a young age was a normal part of daily life and how, for most, education had to be sacrificed in order to provide financial assistance to the family.

Don’t forget to follow us to leave a comment if you're listening on Spotify – we’d love to hear if any stories resonated with you! If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts please rate & review; it really helps us share these stories further. And if you’re on instagram, follow us! We post images relevant to each episode @taliha.podcast.

The podcast is produced by Blueprint Studios and music throughout the series is created, played, and produced by Michael McGoldrick. This episode features additional music from melodeon player Damien Mullane. With special thanks to RTE for providing additional SFX from their archives. This material should not be reproduced or edited.

This episode includes references to corporal punishment. You can find a transcription of this episode on our website www.theresalotihaventasked.co.uk

Creator: Hannah Donelon

Music: Michael McGoldrick

Producers: Ian Stewart and Gary Hadfield at Blueprint Studios

Assistant Editors: Nicholas Barber & George Fitzgibbon

Assistant Producers: Nicholas Barber & Catherine Leen

Podcast Artwork: Chloe Heffernan

Marketing Consultant: Vic Turnbull at MIC Media

‘There’s A Lot I Haven’t Asked’ is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and also supported by the Consulate General of Ireland, Manchester.

A huge thank you to all the voices on this episode (in order of appearance): Tommy Grogan, Rose Morris, Katherina, Joe Moran, Gerry Connaughton, Liam Goodwin, Bridie Rodden, Sheila, Mary Muszanskyj, Nellie Walsh, and John.

Research material in this episode has been drawn from the People’s History Museum, The Irish Times, Geraldine O’Connor from Galway Community Heritage, Liam Ryan, and The Oral History Society.

With thanks to Irish Mancunian for additional research support and Made by Mortals for additional production support.

We would also love to report any feedback you have to provide our funders and to improve our practise so if you have 5 minutes, please fill in our survey to let us know your thoughts: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfIfu12NaBtMLEa2eAaXQwTG6_yrBocWB8uVAQ4AKq9Kjnc5A/viewform?usp=sf_link

An immersive audio series revolving around powerful stories of resilience, belonging, and community from the Irish in Manchester. Created by Hannah Donelon and with original music composed & arranged by Michael McGoldrick, this 8-part series is a storytelling experience full of heart, hope, and humour.

In 1971, the Irish made up the largest migrant minority in the UK. This series aims to preserve and promote personal accounts of Irish migration around this time, celebrate Irish contributions to the UK, champion the idea that everyone has a story worth telling, and inspire listeners to ask more questions about their heritage.

Beginning with the stories of those who emigrated and gradually transitioning to the voices of children and grandchildren born in Manchester, we explore the challenges and triumphs of settling in the UK, the underrepresented and oftentimes conflicting experience of being 2nd generation, and the enduring legacy of Irish culture and traditions within Manchester.

Irish listeners will cherish the reminiscences and find joy in shared experience while younger generations will gain insight into their family's past and inspiration to explore their roots. If you aren’t from an Irish background then Céad Mile Fáilte [‘a hundred thousand welcomes’]! You are sure to enjoy the power of Irish storytelling and the celebration of diverse experiences within the Irish community.

Episodes are released weekly from Sunday 1st June and with warmth, curiosity, and nostalgia, host Hannah Donelon leads listeners through vivid tales of childhood in rural Ireland, the myriad of feelings towards emigration, bonds forged through music & dance, and the evolving legacies & identities of Irish Mancunians.

Rich in detail and emotion, There's A Lot I Haven't Asked not only preserves precious memories but also sparks a meaningful dialogue about identity, heritage, and community. Get ready for some immersive storytelling that may ignite your own memories or bring you somewhere completely new. There isn’t only laughter and tears, but discovery, inspiration, and magic too.

Credits

Creator: Hannah Donelon

Music: Michael McGoldrick

Producers: Ian Stewart and Gary Hadfield at Blueprint Studios

Assistant Editors: Nicholas Barber & George Fitzgibbon

Assistant Producers: Nicholas Barber & Catherine Leen

Podcast Artwork: Chloe Heffernan

Marketing Consultant: Vic Turnbull at MIC Media

‘There’s A Lot I Haven’t Asked’ is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and also supported by the Consulate General of Ireland, Manchester.

With thanks to Irish Mancunian for additional research support and Made by Mortals for additional production support.

You can find a transcription of this trailer on our website www.theresalotihaventasked.co.uk