Latest news with #LondonIrish
BBC News
6 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Ex-Tigers back row Rogerson joins Worcester
Former London Irish and Leicester Tigers forward Matt Rogerson has become the latest player to join Championship side Worcester 31-year-old back-rower is the second signing in 24 hours and fourth new arrival this moves to Sixways after two seasons with the Tigers, helping the East Midlands side reach the Premiership final in 2024-25, only to lose to treble-winning made 28 appearances for Leicester in total having joined from London Irish, where he captained the club in the top flight before financial problems led to the Exiles going into administration two years had suffered the same fate nearly a year earlier and a third Premiership club - Wasps - also went out of Irish, who hope to return to rugby next year, Worcester are part of the new-look 14-team Championship that gets underway next season. Head coach Matt Everard said Rogerson will bring "outstanding experience and leadership" and will "drive the highest standards" and set a "brilliant example to everyone at Warriors". Everard has helped oversee a huge recruitment drive to get the club ready for their comeback with former Gloucester and Northampton Saints wing Tom Seabrook signed on full-back Louis Brown, ex-England back Billy Twelvetrees, Uruguay back Juan Gonzalez, Leicester Tigers prop Tim Hoyt and Exeter Chiefs prop Billy Keast have former Wales scrum-half Lloyd Williams, Saracens prop Fraser Balmain and Dragons fly-half Will Reed have also signed up at Sixways.
Irish Times
16 hours ago
- General
- Irish Times
Death of an ‘old boy from Ireland' in a London-Irish suburb
It began with a handwritten shop notice. A passerby photographed it in early June in the window of Butler's newsagents in Archway, north London . Over the decades the area had been a magnet for Irish immigrants, but the community aged. Younger London Irish now favour Hackney or Clapham. Meanwhile, Archway's green army went grey. The notice announced the death and upcoming funeral of Martin Fallon (73), originally from Sligo. It had a grainy passport-style photo of him. The passerby, a local, posted the picture she captured on X with a note about how Archway's 'old boys from Ireland' were 'slowly dying out'. She said the area had changed from its Irish heyday, with many pubs and betting shops closed. There was a wistful air to her post, embellished by her image of the note in the window. In neat capitals, it looked like the vintage handwriting typical of an older person. The passerby's tweet garnered two retweets and 18 likes. Then somebody took a screenshot of it and posted it on a slew of Irish Facebook groups. This second person seemed to misconstrue the shop notice as an appeal to find Fallon's family. Soon it was all over Facebook groups linked to London's Irish communities, as well as groups linked to communities in the west of Ireland. A narrative – inaccurate, as it turned out – took hold that Fallon must have lost touch with home. READ MORE The story fitted a stereotype: that of the older Irish man who moved to London years ago, perhaps 'to work on the buildings', and ended up alone. Facebook users shared the post widely in a well-intentioned but misguided attempt to find anyone who knew Fallon. There were even radio appeals in his native Sligo. But important elements of the narrative that sprang up around Fallon online did not survive scrutiny. In fact, he had been in touch with a few family members, in Ireland and in London. They knew he had died because they had arranged his funeral. Fallon's funeral took place in Islington Cemetery on June 9th, the week after the tale about him went viral. The Irish Times attended the service in the small crematorium chapel, flooded with light beneath a glass dome. The huge cemetery around it was the size of a city park. Irish surnames abounded on its headstones. The notice in Butlers newsagents window announcing Martin Fallon's funeral Flowers left for Martin Fallon outside his funeral in Islington Crematorium Although some elements of Fallon's story online were perceived inaccurately, he had indeed lived a life typical of some Irish men who moved to Archway decades ago. He was a regular in Butler's newsagents, which has continued to sell all the Irish regional newspapers. He never married. He appeared to have a tight-knit network of friends and some helped him when he fell ill. He died of lung cancer. Originally from Collooney, he once worked in a bakery in Sligo. He loved Liverpool FC and Sligo Rovers. He had three sisters, at least two of whom had moved to the Archway area before him. Fallon followed about 40 years ago. It seemed two of his sisters had died. The remaining sister now lived in Galway but wasn't able to travel to his funeral. Fallon had a niece, who was present. She said she would bring his ashes to Ireland. [ Irish in London: 'Nobody was making me stay. I could have left at any time and gone home to Sligo ... That was 24 years ago' Opens in new window ] Fallon's service was simple, dignified but still noticeably small by Irish norms. There were a dozen mourners, a fraction of the size of a typical funeral in the sort of west of Ireland community where Fallon grew up. It hadn't been correct that he had completely lost touch with all family, but clearly his network in London was tight. Charlie Patel outside his newsagents, Butler's, a hub of the old Irish community in Archway Irish local newspapers in the shop Charlie Patel, the owner of Butler's News, where the original funeral notice was posted, describes Fallon as a 'lovely man'. He always bought the Sligo Champion and occasionally some of the Irish food staples the shop also stocked. Fruitfield jams, Chef sauce, Erin soups, Flahavan's porridge and Clonakilty rashers are all sold in Butler's. 'Even when my old Irish customers move away from Archway to the suburbs, to Enfield and places like that, they come back to my shop to buy their local Irish papers,' says Patel. 'Or sometimes their grown-up children come in to buy it for them instead.' Over several hours in Patel's shop over a couple of days last weekend, other elderly Irish immigrants talk about the Archway they have known as a bastion of the London-Irish community, and what it is like now. Many are, like Fallon, bachelors who retired after working in manual jobs. They are friendly but some are also shy about being photographed or identified. A west of Ireland woman, younger than Fallon's peers, says many of Archway's older Irish contingent, especially the men, 'wouldn't be too forthcoming'. 'Especially if they ended up alone,' she says. The woman says putting up a shop window notice of the kind that sparked the viral online post about Fallon is common in Archway. It is, she says, a sort of community messaging service for the elderly Irish to spread funeral details and news of deaths. 'They wouldn't always have each other's phone numbers,' she says. Archway is at the northern end of Islington borough, which is more affluent towards its southern parts nearer central London. The local MP is former Labour leader – now Independent – Jeremy Corbyn . In 1983 he beat Clare man Michael O'Halloran, a former MP who had split from Labour. The heartland of Archway centres on Junction Road and its strip of shops; the Upper Holloway Road, which used to be lined with Irish pubs, and a pedestrian plaza beside Archway tube station, known as Navigator Square, named in honour of Irish 'navvies' who came to Britain in the 19th century to build transport networks. 'There is an older Irish community here who often talk about going back [to Ireland],' Corbyn told The Irish Times in an interview on Navigator Square during last year's election. 'But they're never going back. It's just the idea of it that's important to them.' [ Older Irish people in London: 'It is so important to have something to get people out of the house. It breaks down the loneliness' Opens in new window ] Corbyn said The Archway Tavern, still standing tall over Navigator Square (which used to be a roundabout), was a hub of the Irish community and was 'where building labourers got work'. He said many Irish women worked as nurses at nearby Whittington Hospital. One history book estimated that 85 per cent of its nurses were Irish in postwar years. 'Every pub on Holloway Road also used to be an Irish pub with Irish music,' Corbyn said. 'That's not quite the same now. A lot has changed in Archway, just as it has in Ireland.' One thing that has stayed the same, however, is Butler's newsagents. Patel, who runs the Junction Road shop with his Gujarat-born wife, Naimesha, says they bought it 26 years ago. It was owned before that for 15 years by another Indian family. Another Indian family previously owned it for 18 years, after taking it over from Butlers, an Irish family. So for almost six decades since the mid-1960s, the newsagents shop has been run by Indians who kept its Irish name. Among the customers last Friday is Tipperary man Michael Coley (81). He has been in London for 67 years, since he was barely a teenager, but he still has a strong Irish accent. Coley used to work 'doing paving and sewage pipes'. With his late wife they had five children, who gave them 14 grandchildren. Coley used to go home to Thurles 'every few years' but no longer. On Saturday he is back in Butler's shop to buy Mikado biscuits and Fig Rolls for his grandchildren. A woman originally from a pretty village in Co Clare has been in London for 50 years. Would she ever think of moving back to Ireland? 'You get too used to the life over here,' she says. 'They're too nosy where I'm from anyway. They want to know everything but tell you nothing.' Betty Breen enters. She came to London 43 years ago. She has a glint in her eye. 'Where are you from?' she asks this reporter. Wicklow, comes the reply. 'We all have our problems in life,' she says. Breen married a Clare man, and her sister used to run the Archway Tavern, 'years ago, back when pubs were pubs'. Her London-born daughter moved to Kilkenny 15 years ago. Archway has changed a lot, she says. 'I think it's gone a bit rough.' Two men, bachelors, come in separately but chat together. Neither wants to be identified. One is from the southwest and moved to Archway in the 1970s. He worked in a trade. He didn't marry. 'I had a friendship years ago but it never worked out.' The other man is from a southern county. He used to travel between Ireland and England, and sometimes Scotland, 'when things were harder for the Irish in London'. One reason he stayed in Britain was the National Health Service. Joe Henry, from Tubbercurry in Sligo, moved to Archway in the 1970s. Like several of the others, he never married. He is friendly and chatty, but prefers not to divulge any more personal details. 'I've lived my life under the radar so far,' he says, laughing. Several of the men give lowdowns on the pubs on Holloway Road favoured by the Irish. Some drink in the Flóirín, an unfussy, locals kind of pub that used to be called the Mulberry. When The Irish Times visits, a Laois versus Tipperary hurling match is on the television. It is also clearly an Arsenal pub; the club's stadium is not far away. The woman behind the Flóirín bar looks familiar. It is Kerry woman Betty Breen, from Butler's earlier. She laughs when asked to stand for a photograph. After declining, she swaps banter with men at the bar. She is well able for them. The Flóirín The Crown Some men drink in the Crown on Upper Holloway. The Hercules, farther down the street, was also popular. The Mother Red Cap on Holloway Road, a former mainstay of the community once owned by the Phelan family, shut last year after St Patrick's Day. The legendary Gresham ballroom shut years ago and is now a Sainsbury's. Through the other side of Navigator Square, up Highgate Hill, a new Irish music and gastropub, Brendan the Navigator, was opened a couple of years ago by Clare flute player John Rynne. The Old Crown Inn, which was an Irish mainstay, used to sit on the same site. It was across the road from St Joseph's Catholic Church, jokingly known by some local Irish as the 'posh' church. The other church is St Gabriel's on Holloway. A grotto at St Joseph's church on Highgate Hill near Archway Many of the elderly Irish in Archway speak of how the area has changed. People from other ethnic backgrounds are now more numerous. Census data appears to bear out the perception. A 2021 council report based on census figures suggested 5.8 per cent of the Junction electoral ward's residents were of 'white Irish' ethnicity. About 11.5 per cent were black and 8 per cent Asian. About 4.1 per cent were born in the Republic, with 5.5 per cent born in Africa and 7.1 per cent born in the Middle East and Asia. A further 4.3 per cent were born in the Americas and Caribbean. Archway, it seems, is no longer an Irish stronghold. Other recent incidents have unsettled some of the older Irish community. John Mackey (87), originally from Callan in Co Kilkenny, a bachelor who lived for decades in nearby Finsbury Park, died in a knife attack in May. A man has been charged with his murder. Mackey had recently moved a little farther east to Manor House. He used to frequent Archway, however, where his late brother Christy used to live. Mackey's niece, Margaret Kennedy, said her uncle was 'an enigma', a popular, colourful character who wore a fedora and was 'loved by everybody who met him'. 'He was simply a charming man. He never married but he was a ladies man, always a woman on his elbow. I never once saw him cross.' Echoing something Corbyn had said earlier, Kennedy said her late uncle John always joked that he would 'be on that boat' back to Ireland, but he never moved home. Mackey's funeral is in Callan next week. Meanwhile, Fallon's funeral earlier this month concluded with the Liverpool football anthem, You'll Never Walk Alone. Sligo Rovers Football Club also sent flowers. Fallon died on April 27th, the day Liverpool beat Tottenham 5-1 to win the Premier League. He slipped away just before kickoff.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Death in Paradise star's forgotten sitcom on Prime Video and he's unrecognisable
A Channel 4 sitcom, starring a Death in Paradise favourite, is now trending on Prime Video despite having been released over a decade ago A sitcom featuring Ardal O'Hanlon that originally aired over a decade ago has found new popularity on Prime Video. London Irish, which first graced Channel 4 in 2013, boasts a star-studded cast including Death in Paradise's Ardal O'Hanlon and Derry Girls' Peter Campion. The show centres around a group of Belfast expats navigating life in London. The series was the brainchild of Lisa McGee, the creative force behind Derry Girls. Despite only running for six episodes and Channel 4 deciding against a second season, London Irish has found renewed interest. Now available on Prime Video, the show has been given the 'trending now' label, demonstrating its enduring appeal 12 years after its initial release. The cast also features Sinéad Keenan, known for her role in Unforgotten, Game of Thrones actor Ker Logan, No Offence's Tracey Lynch, and Kat Reagan, reports Wales Online. Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the creator and star of BBC's Fleabag, also makes a guest appearance in London Irish, portraying a character named Steph in one episode. The synopsis for London Irish reads: "Conor and Bronagh are twenty-something siblings from Northern Ireland who, along with friends Packy and Niamh, are trying to make their way through London life. "The foursome find navigating the big city challenging, particularly as they're playing by their own unique set of rules, leading to all sorts of mischief. "Conor is highly unpredictable and tends to just go with unbelievable things that tend to happen to him while his older sister, Bronagh, is the opposite of him - cynical, dark and fierce. Self-confident Niamh is ambitious and can be ruthless when she doesn't get what she wants. "Packy is the closest thing the group has to a parental figure and tries to keep the others in line but often gets dragged into their madness." Ardal, who portrays Chris in the sitcom, first gained recognition in Father Ted before joining BBC One's Death in Paradise as DI Jack Mooney. He left the popular drama series in 2020, but recently appeared in spin-off series Return to Paradise. His character featured remotely as part of a storyline with DI Mackenzie Clarke (Anna Samson).
Wales Online
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Death in Paradise star's forgotten sitcom is available to stream and he looks so different
Death in Paradise star's forgotten sitcom is available to stream and he looks so different A much-loved sitcom, starring Death in Paradise favourite Ardal O'Hanlon, appears to have been rediscovered by TV fans after being added to Prime Video London Irish aired on Channel 4 (Image: Channel 4 ) A forgotten sitcom starring Ardal O'Hanlon has started trending on Prime Video, despite having premiered over a decade ago. London Irish originally landed on Channel 4 back in 2013, starring many famous faces, including Death in Paradise star Ardal O'Hanlon and Derry Girls' Peter Campion. The series follows the lives of a group of Belfast expatriates living in the UK capital. Created by Lisa McGee - the brains behind Derry Girls - London Irish ran for six episodes, with Channel 4 then confirming there were no plans to bring the show back for a second season. London Irish is now available to stream on Prime Video and it's been awarded the 'trending now' tag, proving its still popular 12 years after its release. Ardal O'Hanlon in Death in Paradise (Image: BBC ) BBC launch huge Oasis coverage ahead of reunion gigs with entire night of music READ MORE: The cast is also made up of Sinéad Keenan, known for starring in Unforgotten, as well as Game on Thrones star Ker Logan, No Offence actress Tracey Lynch and Kat Reagan. Article continues below Phoebe Waller-Bridge, creator and star of BBC's Fleabag, also makes an appearance in London Irish, playing a character named Steph in one episode. A description for London Irish reads: "Conor and Bronagh are twenty-something siblings from Northern Ireland who, along with friends Packy and Niamh, are trying to make their way through London life. "Navigating the big city isn't easy for the foursome, especially because the rules they're playing by - rules that only they get - lead to a whole load of wrongdoings. "Conor is highly unpredictable and tends to just go with unbelievable things that tend to happen to him while his older sister, Bronagh, is the opposite of him - cynical, dark and fierce. Self-confident Niamh is ambitious and can be ruthless when she doesn't get what she wants. "Packy is the closest thing the group has to a parental figure and tries to keep the others in line but often gets dragged into their madness." London Irish stars Ardal as Chris 'Da' Lynch (Image: Channel 4 ) Article continues below Ardal, who plays Chris in the sitcom, initially rose to fame in Father Ted before joining BBC One's Death in Paradise as DI Jack Mooney. He exited the hit drama series in 2020, but recently starred in spin-off series Return to Paradise. His character appeared remotely as part of a storyline with DI Mackenzie Clarke (Anna Samson). London Irish is available to stream now on Prime Video.
Daily Mail
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Steve Borthwick hands Henry Arundell England recall ahead of Bath move after sacrificing international career to join Racing 92
Henry Arundell has been given an early opportunity to return from England exile and reignite his stalled Test career, after being called up by Steve Borthwick ahead of his arrival at Bath. The 22-year-old emerged as English rugby's next big thing in 2022, when he scored a staggering 100m solo try for London Irish at Toulon, before being fast-tracked into the senior national squad, having illuminated the Under-20 side with his prolific exploits. Arundell made his debut for England against Australia in Perth and stunned the Wallabies by striking with his first touch as an international player, with a combination of power, footwork and pace. The flying wing sensation went on to feature at the 2023 World Cup and claim a record-equalling five tries in the pool-stage win over Chile in Lille. However, by then he had agreed to join Racing 92 in Paris – following the financial collapse of Irish – and after the global showpiece he became unavailable to Borthwick, the England head coach, due to the RFU policy against picking players based overseas. His enforced move across the Channel began brightly with a hat-trick on debut for Racing, but he struggled for form and fitness for the majority of a difficult campaign, before agreeing an early release from his contract, in order to join Bath. That has opened the door for his inclusion in the Red Rose training squad preparing for a non-cap match against a France XV at Twickenham on June 21, followed by summer Tests against Argentina and the USA. The involvement with England will allow Arundell to make an early connection with Bath's visionary attack coach, Lee Blackett – who will be assisting Borthwick on the forthcoming tour of the Americas. That arrangement alone is bound to be a boost for a player who remains an exciting young prospect, providing he can regain confidence and sharpness in a positive environment. By the time he joins up with Bath, they could have completed a Treble by winning the Premiership. In the aftermath of his decision to move to the French capital, Arundell's mantel as English rugby's next big thing was seized by Exeter wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, who burst on to the Test scene in dazzling fashion last year. Now, Borthwick has both men at his disposal, along with other rookie contenders Ollie Sleightholme, Tom Roebuck and Cadan Murley. Despite having lost a raft of key men to Lions call-ups, this means England should have significant firepower and potency as they gear up to face the dangerous Pumas in La Plata and San Juan, and the USA in Washington DC. Arundell's ability to operate at full back will also be a factor in his favour, as the head coach weighs up his options before naming a tour squad on June 23. Regaining the services of an exciting talent who had migrated to France is good news for Borthwick and he will hope that others follow. England's management team would relish a chance to promote Racing lock Junior Kpoku to their senior squad as and when he returns to the Premiership, while Stade Francais centre Joe Marchant would be another exile on the wanted list.
