LeedsIrishCentre celebrates50years
LOUTH native Michael Clarke is just one of the thousands of Irish people who have found a warm welcome at the Leeds Irish Centre which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
The 80 year old grew up on a small farm in Tully, Louth, and like many of his generation, emigrated to England in search of work. He spent three months in Birmingham, before going to Leeds where he settled. He worked as a labourer and factory worker, worked his way up from shop floor to production line manager at Britvic soft drinks manufacturers, where he worked for 25 years.
Michael married Anne, a Leeds girl and they have three sons, Michael, Darren and Paul, and four grandchildren. One of their grandsons, Alfie Clarke, is a TV actor, playing the role of Arthur, the vicar’s son in Emmerdale. Now aged 13, Alfie has been playing the part since he was just a year old!
‘I like Leeds,’ says Michael, revealing that the family came back to Ireland in 1974 with the intention of moving back here for good. ‘I got a job in Lisadel Towels but we couldn’t settle so we came back to Leeds.
The couple now live in Ardsley, between Leeds and Wakefield, but they still like to visit The Irish Centre whenever they can.
‘We have been going ever since it opened,’ recalls Michael. ‘We saw all the good showbands there and I was there when they televised darts from it as part of an indoor sports weekend.’
‘We meet up with friends every Tuesday for the pensioners’ lunch, although that hasn’t been running since March because of the COVID restrictions.’
He usually comes home to Ireland once or twice a year.
‘We were home to see my sister Nancy spin the wheel on RTE’s ‘Winning Streak,’ he says. Nancy, who runs Shankey’s Footwear in Carrickmacross, was the first person to appear on the tv show for a third time.
Michael and his family are typical of
many of those who have used the Centre since it opened in 1970.
While it was planned to host a number of celebrations and commemorations in June 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing lockdown put all its plans on hold until 2021.
However, a book which charts the history of the centre and the role it played in the Irish community in Leeds, is due to be published this month.
Entitled ‘50 Years In The Making - Leeds Irish Centre 1970 - 2020’ is written by Yorkshire journalist Sheron Boyle, whose own family emigrated from Mayo and who has strong family links with the centre.
She explains: ‘I am a first generation migrant. My dad came to England as a young man and my story is the stories of the Yorkshire Irish diaspora who have gone before us.’
`The book has been a labour of love but even I was surprised by the millions of pounds this one single centre has raised for charities over the years, most of which has gone to regional organisations.
Stories of the world-famous names, including Oasis, who have trod the stage were fascinating to hear about but I loved telling the Irish community’s own stories.’
Two versions will be released at the same time - a hard back, limited edition retailing at £20 plus postage, and a paperback which is available at £10 per copy, plus postage.
Tommy McLoughlin, manager of the Yorkshire city’s iconic centre for 45 of its 50 years, said: `The book will be published 50 years and five months since the centre’s doors it officially opened.
Liam Thompson, chairman of the Irish Centre’s committee, said: `50 Years In The Making marks a milestone in our history so far and it provides a unique opportunity to look behind the doors of one of the best venues in the UK.’
Brendan Shine, who performed at the 1970 official opening and was due to play again at the 50th anniversary celebrations in June, credits the Centre for boosting his early career: `You could say we have grown together and stood the test of time.’
Likewise, Nathan Carter recalls how his teenage days of singing at the Centre were often to a small group of customers while they watched football on TV - but a series of bookings allowed him to buy a van to tour. `I will never forget the opportunities the Centre gave me,’ he said.
To pre-order the book, email book@ leedsirishcentrebook.co.uk.