Presented by Coventry's Irish communities.
A week-long festival celebrating all aspects of Irish culture in Coventry, including sports, dance, music and language.
Beginning with a Gaelic football family fun day at the Butts Arena, the festival will feature Gaelic language workshops, live music at the Hearsall Inn, and a poetry exchange with Cork. The festival will end with a one-day extravaganza at Drapers Hall. Scroll down for the full programme.
Love Ireland is part of #LoveCoventry, a Coventry UK City of Culture programme supported by The National Lottery Community Fund.
Sun 15 May, 11am - 5pm, Butts Park Arena
Coventry’s 3 Gaelic football clubs will come together for the first time ever in May 2022 for a sports day at the Butts Arena. It will be a day filled with kid’s, women’s, and men's matches, plus other activities.
If you’re a Gaelic football novice, a seasoned pro, or simply after a fun day out - this event is for you.
SOLD OUT - Mon 16 May, 7pm - 8.30pm, Christ the King Community Centre
Coventry’s Tullamore Dance School has produced many world champions over the years. And we’ve teamed up with them for the Love Ireland festival for a one-off dance workshop.
Join the team for your chance to learn some Irish dance steps at Christ the King Community Centre.
Tue 17 May, 9pm, Hearsall Inn
Craven Street’s Hearsall Inn plays host to an Irish ceilidh every Tuesday night. We’re joining forces with Coventry Comhaltas and them to bring you an evening of live music and celebration. Look forward to a night of accordions, tin whistles and more traditional Irish instruments.
Wed 18 May, 7.15pm, online
This event will be a special online edition of Fire&Dust poetry open mic, to celebrate Coventry's Irish communities and our twin city link to Cork. There will be a headline set from special guests, plus open mic performances by poets from Coventry, Cork and all over.
SOLD OUT - Thu 19 May, 6pm, Methodist Central Hall
In the UK in schools, we regularly learn languages like French, Spanish and German - but rarely Irish. We’re working with Nollaig Doughan to put together this one-off Gaelic language workshop for beginners. Bheith linn!
Fri 20 May, 8pm - 10pm, The Four Provinces, The Craven Street Club, The Hearsall Inn and Flannelly's
Coventry's iconic Craven Street will see its three Irish pubs lit up with live music. See some of the most popular local Irish musicians take centre stage.
Sat 21 May, 12pm - 3pm, Drapers' Hall
Hosted by Bob Brolly, come celebrate all things fantastic about Coventry’s Irish community. From live music to world champion dance troups, face painting to Irish history exhibition, there is something for the whole family at Coventry’s iconic Drapers’ Hall.
