You know what they say about the grass always being greener on the other side? Well, when you’re casting covetous gazes across the Irish Sea towards the Emerald Isle, that old saying becomes very literal indeed.
Famed for its verdant landscapes and rolling green hills, Ireland is arguably the finest destination for Londoners looking for a long weekend away. But with a decent pint of Guinness, some fine Irish food and plenty of trad music on our doorstep, if you’re looking to enjoy Irish culture in the capital, then rest assured; you can do that, too.
With that in mind, here are 6 IDEAL ways to be transported to Ireland without leaving London.
SHOP AT THE LONDON IRISH CENTRE
The London Irish Centre is an established charity, community hub and cultural centre in Camden that has been a major point for the Irish community in London since its inception in 1954. Here, you can engage with the centre’s incredible Irish Culture & Heritage activity programme, which includes talks and discussions on Irish history, film screenings, Irish language lessons, Irish folk singing classes and Sean Nós Dance classes.
The centre also hosts regular evenings of live traditional Irish music and has commissioned works by Irish poets and artists which are displayed across the site. What’s more, at the London Irish Centre, you’ll also find the O’Donovan Library, which contains more than 7’000 works unique to the Irish cultural experience. There’s even a small shop selling snacks beloved of Ireland, like Tayto crisps, McDonnells curry sauce and many more delights!
If you’re keen to immerse yourself in the Irish experience in a more thorough and thoughtful way than throwing back a few pints of Guinness, then it’s here you should head. An amazing place doing valuable work in the community.
EAT AT A RESTAURANT CELEBRATING IRISH FOOD
London boasts some excellent restaurants specialising in traditional Irish dishes, as well as a few that are following in the footsteps of Dublin’s increasingly thrusting fine dining scene, putting a modern twist on some of Ireland’s beloved family recipes.
We had to start at Daffodil Mulligan, chef Richard Corrigan’s ode to premium Irish produce on Old Street. Opening last November, diners can enjoy Irish oysters, incredible soda bread, and some of the best beef we’ve ever tried, a prime sirloin from Tipperary with some serious depth of flavour.
Or, why not try Myrtle, named after the matriarch of modern Irish cuisine, Myrtle Allen and run by chef Anna Haugh, who you might have seen on Saturday Kitchen. Here, you can enjoy a ‘Taste of Ireland’ 7 course extravaganza which features refined takes on Irish classics like boxty and boiled bacon with cabbage.
Finish up at Homeboy in Islington, a funky cocktail bar that prides itself on its modern Irish hospitality. At the bar, you can sample some premium Irish whiskey, indulge in a delicious take on an Irish coffee or simply enjoy a perfectly poured pint of Guinness.
GO TO THE KILN THEATRE
If you’ve not yet had your fill of performance at the London Irish Centre, then head just a half hour’s walk east to the Kiln Theatre, in London’s Kilburn. The area is nicknamed ‘Ireland’s 33rd County’ due to its large Irish population (the highest in the city) and although the theatre shows everything from the latest Bond to Bollywood classics, it’s also become an unofficial and influential showcase for Irish theatre and film.
Check what’s on here for the latest listings.
LEARN IRISH DANCING
Irish dance is a highly energetic, rhythmic discipline that’s gained fans across the world with its ebullience and intricacy. Though Irish dance and its four most common forms, Step dancing, Set dancing, Sean-nós and Céilí, takes years to master, there are several Irish dance schools located across London if you’re keen to give it a go.
In Finchley (and hosting Irish dance lessons all across London), you’ll find McGahan Lees Irish Dance Academy, which gives classes most days somewhere in the capital. Or, in Bethnal Green, the London Academy of Irish Dance host classes every Monday evening in the Chisenhale Dance Studio.
These are just two. You’ll find many more options for Irish dancing across London; just search your area in Google and get ready to have a wonderful, informative and hugely spirited time!
ENJOY FROM YOUR SOFA
You can even engage with Irish culture from the comfort of your sofa. Speaking of Irish dance lessons, the Richmond and Hillcroft Adult Community College are currently hosting an online course in Adult Irish Dance, every Thursday night for ten weeks. It’s priced at just £94.
Go further in your exploration of this amazing country; earlier this year, the Irish Foreign Ministry posted a 3 hour video to YouTube titled ‘An Irish Night In’. Billed as a ‘shared experience of Irish culture at home’, it’s a brilliant watch, delving deep into Irish food, music, storytelling and more. Check it out here.
Lately we’ve also been playing the Rainbow Riches online game which has transported us to the emerald hills of Ireland while giving us a chance to win our very old pot of gold, as well as enjoying Irish language learning games courtesy of DuoLingo, ideal if you’re keen to have some fun whilst picking up some Irish phrases.
FIND SOME TRAD MUSIC
Ireland’s musical legacy is hugely influential all over the world, with U2, Enya, the Cranberries, Sinead O’Connor, Gilbert O’Sullivan, Hozier and so many more hailing from the Emerald Isle. But it’s Irish folk and trad music that we’re particularly enamoured with; the use of harp, fiddle, flute and pipes so atmospheric and downright beautiful.
You can find Irish trad music being played live across London. In the Londonist’s excellent rundown of the best pubs with live Irish music in the city, they recommend heading to Sir Colin Campbell in Kilburn, the Antelope in Tooting and the Lamb on Holloway Road. We think we’ll try all three!
And with that, we’re off for a guinness. Cheers!