We move onto a whole range of new voices as we meet those born in Manchester to parents who emigrated from Ireland between 1945 - 1975. Together, they paint a vivid picture of life inside a typical Irish household in Manchester: the sights, sounds, smells, and traditions that shaped them. Ann shares a cherished poem passed down by her mother - one she calls a lifesaver - while Claire talks about how Irish rituals have proven to be a huge source of comfort and beauty when grieving a loved one.

Don’t forget to follow us if you’re listening on Spotify and leave a comment – we’d love to hear if any stories resonated with you! If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts please leave us a review, it really helps us share these stories further! If you’re on instagram, follow us! We post images relevant to each episode @taliha.podcast.

The podcast is produced by Blueprint Studios and music throughout the series is created, played, and produced by Michael McGoldrick. This episode features additional music from fiddle-player Emma Sweeney. A special thanks to the The Dartry Ceili band for generously allowing us to use a section of ‘The Rebel’s March’. Thank you also to RTE for providing additional SFX from their archives including a clip of Sean Maguire playing the fiddle. Thank you once again to those at Big Tom music for generously providing us with permission to use ‘I Would Like to See You Again’ by Big Tom & The Travellers, recorded live in The Top Rank Studio's Castleblayney 1980. This material should not be reproduced or edited.

This episode includes references to racism. You can find a transcription of this episode on our website www.theresalotihaventasked.co.uk/podcast

Creator: Hannah Donelon

Music: Michael McGoldrick

Producers: Ian Stewart & Gary Hadfield at Blueprint Studios

Assistant Editors: Nicholas Barber & George Fitzgibbon

Assistant Producers: Nicholas Barber & Catherine Leen

Podcast Artwork: Chloe Heffernan

Marketing Consultant: Vic Turnbull at MIC Media

‘There’s A Lot I Haven’t Asked’ is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and also supported by the Consulate General of Ireland, Manchester.

A huge thank you to all the voices on this episode (in order of appearance): JeanLouise McGuire, Margaret O’Connell, Dezi Donnelly, Anthony Walsh, Dr Eamonn O'Neal OBE, former High Sheriff of Greater Manchester, Seán O’Bryne, Claire O’Rourke, Sarah Kelly, PJ McKeown, Michael Connaughton, Ann Eva Rufai, Kath Fitzgibbon, Milly Doregos, and Michael Walsh.

With thanks to Irish Mancunian for additional research support and Made by Mortals for additional production support.
We would also love to report any feedback you have to our funders and to improve our practise so if you have 5 minutes, please fill in our survey to let us know your thoughts: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfIfu12NaBtMLEa2eAaXQwTG6_yrBocWB8uVAQ4AKq9Kjnc5A/viewform?usp=sf_link⁠

Through vivid memories stretching into the 1990s, we hear how traditional Irish music offered a sense of home, how The Troubles in the north of Ireland cast a long shadow over daily life in the city, and how newer waves of Irish migrants were welcomed with empathy and kindness into Manchester’s evolving community. This episode continues to spotlight personal stories from the Irish diaspora who settled in Manchester offering a rich tapestry of identity, resilience, and cultural connection across generations.

Don’t forget to follow us if you’re listening on Spotify and leave a comment – we’d love to hear if any stories resonated with you! If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts please leave us a review, it really helps us share these stories further! If you’re on instagram, give us a follow - we post images relevant to each episode @taliha.podcast

The podcast is produced by Blueprint Studios and music throughout the series is created, played, and produced by Michael McGoldrick. With special thanks to Frankie Gavin for generously allowing us to play a section from De Danann’s from ‘Medley: Tom Billy's, Ryan's Jig, The Sandmount Reel, The Clogher Reel’ sets and The McGoldrick Family Band for generously allowing us to play a section from their debut album ‘One For the Road’. This material should not be reproduced or edited.

This episode includes references to racism, institutional abuse, and the 1996 IRA bombing in Manchester. You can find a transcription of this episode on our website: ⁠www.theresalotihaventasked.co.uk/podcast⁠

Creator: Hannah Donelon

Music: Michael McGoldrick

Producers: Ian Stewart and Gary Hadfield at Blueprint Studios

Assistant Editors: Nicholas Barber & George Fitzgibbon

Assistant Producers: Nicholas Barber & Catherine Leen

Podcast Artwork: Chloe Heffernan

Marketing Consultant: Vic Turnbull at MIC Media

‘There’s A Lot I Haven’t Asked’ is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and also supported by the Consulate General of Ireland, Manchester.

A huge thank you to all the voices on this episode (in order of appearance): Liam Goodwin, Gerry Connaughton, Michael Connaughton, Sheila, Katherina, Tommy Grogan, Mary Muszanskyj, John, Eamonn McCarthy, Rose Morris, Joe Moran, and Bridie Rodden.

If you enjoyed the content of this episode you may also enjoy Irish Nurses in the UK available wherever you get your podcasts.

Commentary on the 1996 IRA bomb was drawn from research in Manchester Central Library’s Archives.

With thanks to Irish Mancunian for additional research support and Made by Mortals for additional production support.

We would also love to report any feedback you have to our funders and to reflect on our practise so if you have 5 minutes, please fill in our survey to let us know your thoughts: ⁠https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfIfu12NaBtMLEa2eAaXQwTG6_yrBocWB8uVAQ4AKq9Kjnc5A/viewform?usp=sf_link⁠

Stepping into the vibrant world of dancehalls and céilís, we return to the voices from our first two episodes and explore the social customs that shaped them as we delve a little bit deeper into their experience of settling in Manchester throughout the 50s, 60s, and 70s. We also hear about connecting with family back home and discover why letter-writing was more than just a pastime but a lifeline, the diversity and volume of their working lives, and the heartfelt moment Melvyn Bragg expressed gratitude towards the Irish on behalf of the UK.

Don’t forget to follow us if you’re listening on Spotify and leave a comment – we’d love to hear if any stories resonate with you! If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts please leave us a review, it really helps us share these stories further. If you’re on instagram, follow us! We post images relevant to each episode @taliha.podcast.

The podcast is produced by Blueprint Studios and music throughout the series is created, played, and produced by Michael McGoldrick. This episode features additional music from melodeon player Damien Mullane and fiddle-player Emma Sweeney. Thank you to Big Tom’s family for generously providing us with permission to use ‘I Would Like to See You Again’ by Big Tom & The Travellers, recorded live in The Top Rank Studio's Castleblayney 1980. Thank you also to RTE for providing additional SFX from their archives. This material should not be reproduced or edited.

You can find a transcription of this episode on our website www.theresalotihaventasked.co.uk/podcast

Creator: Hannah Donelon

Music: Michael McGoldrick

Producers: Ian Stewart and Gary Hadfield at Blueprint Studios

Assistant Editors: Nicholas Barber & George Fitzgibbon

Assistant Producers: Nicholas Barber & Catherine Leen

Podcast Artwork: Chloe Heffernan

Marketing Consultant: Vic Turnbull at MIC Media

‘There’s A Lot I Haven’t Asked’ is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and also supported by the Consulate General of Ireland, Manchester.

A huge thank you to all the voices on this episode (in order of appearance): Mary Muszanskyj, Nellie Walsh, Fr. Michael O’Leary, Rose Morris, Kathleen Molloy, Sheila, Liam Goodwin, Katherina, Gerry Connaughton, Joe Moran, Bridie Rodden, Tommy Grogan, John, and Eamonn McCarthy.

Rose’s poetry can be found in Manchester Irish Writers publication ‘Life and Soul’ available to purchase from Waterstones.

With thanks to Irish Mancunian for additional research support and Made by Mortals for additional production support.
We would also love to report any feedback you have to our funders and to improve our practise so if you have 5 minutes, please fill in our survey to let us know your thoughts: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfIfu12NaBtMLEa2eAaXQwTG6_yrBocWB8uVAQ4AKq9Kjnc5A/viewform?usp=sf_link⁠