On a chilly Spring evening, around 100 Irish actors, musicians and artists gathered at the Irish cultural centre in Hammersmith for an evening of music, poetry and laid back chats. Their goal? To network, showcase their art and support one another. Paul Mescal, Jessie Buckley and CMAT are some of the biggest Irish names in the UK. Irish nationals working in the arts and culture sector are having a moment in the sun. Where does this success come from? Are all creatives experiencing this success equally?
City News spoke to Joe O’Neill, the founder of the Irish Creative Collective to find out more. O’Neill (35) moved to London in 2022 but experienced an acute sense of loneliness. He struggled to find his feet in the creative industry at first by through bringing together a small group of writers, actors and comedians, he created a new space and found a network of support.
Joe O’Neill, founder of the Irish Creative Collective
When asked whether Irish creative workers were experience newfound success, O’Neill acquiesced. “It’s definitely a time when Irish artists have a spotlight on them”. He said. He emphasised the artists working across a wide range of art forms. “If you look at film, music and fashion, there’s definitely an interest across the Western World in Irish art”.
The Collective’s founder was keen to acknowledge the generations of Irish men and women who have historically migrated to London. In his eyes, the interest and success of Irish art did not happen overnight. It has consistently grown over time.
“We are doing well because of the sacrifice, because of what people have been through, for hundreds of years coming over here”.
O’Neill’s reference is almost hyperbolic but he’s referring to the 1950’s and 1960’s when British rental accommodation windows used to hang out discriminatory, often handwritten, signs saying “No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs”. London has come a long way since then. So have the London Irish.
The Creative Collective meets on a monthly basis. The next meeting will be at the Park Theatre on April 13th.
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StandfirstMeet the man behind the Irish Creative Collective
On a chilly Spring evening, around 100 Irish actors, musicians and artists gathered at the Irish cultural centre in Hammersmith for an evening of music, poetry and laid back chats. Their goal? To network, showcase their art and support one another. Paul Mescal, Jessie Buckley and CMAT are some of the biggest Irish names in the UK. Irish nationals working in the arts and culture sector are having a moment in the sun. Where does this success come from? Are all creatives experiencing this success equally?
City News spoke to Joe O’Neill, the founder of the Irish Creative Collective to find out more. O’Neill (35) moved to London in 2022 but experienced an acute sense of loneliness. He struggled to find his feet in the creative industry at first by through bringing together a small group of writers, actors and comedians, he created a new space and found a network of support.
Joe O’Neill, founder of the Irish Creative Collective
When asked whether Irish creative workers were experience newfound success, O’Neill acquiesced. “It’s definitely a time when Irish artists have a spotlight on them”. He said. He emphasised the artists working across a wide range of art forms. “If you look at film, music and fashion, there’s definitely an interest across the Western World in Irish art”.
The Collective’s founder was keen to acknowledge the generations of Irish men and women who have historically migrated to London. In his eyes, the interest and success of Irish art did not happen overnight. It has consistently grown over time.
“We are doing well because of the sacrifice, because of what people have been through, for hundreds of years coming over here”.
O’Neill’s reference is almost hyperbolic but he’s referring to the 1950’s and 1960’s when British rental accommodation windows used to hang out discriminatory, often handwritten, signs saying “No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs”. London has come a long way since then. So have the London Irish.
The Creative Collective meets on a monthly basis. The next meeting will be at the Park Theatre on April 13th.
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