On 28 January 2023, as part of the 'La Fheile Bride' event at the Luton Irish Forum, Professor Louise Ryan and Grainne McPolin were invited to speak about the oral history project with Irish Nurses in the NHS.
To mark St Brigid's Day, the Luton Irish Forum organised a lavish afternoon tea celebration. This hugely successful and entertaining event was attended by a representative from the Irish Embassy, Ms Orla McBreen, Head of Foreign Policy, and local politicians including the two local Labour women MPs for the area.
Other speakers included Dame Elizabeth Anionwu, the distinguished nurse of Irish and Nigerian heritage who spoke about how her mixed heritage influenced her life and nursing career.
Former nurse and now dementia campaigner, Dr Mary Tilki, spoke about the 'Cuimhne' project which addresses dementia among the ageing Irish community in Britain.
There was enormous interest and support for Louise and Grainne's oral history study and, while attending the event, several older, Luton-based Irish nurses were recruited to participate in the project and tell their stories.
Photo image: from the left, three retired nurses who were interviewed as part of the oral history project - Rosaleen, Roseanna and Betty and Professor Louise Ryan and Grainne McPolin