The Irish in Britain, including those of Irish descent, make up a significant part of the UK population. Here, you will find news, entertainment, events, sports and features from the local Irish Post newspaper.

LEWISHAM Irish Festival on Saturday, March 18 features some of the regional music of Ireland — in this case the traditional sounds of Co. Fermanagh.

The music of this county has been relatively unknown until very recently. However, a book and two CDs entitled Hidden Fermanagh have helped to change that.

The CDs concentrate on tunes from two regions of the county. One source is Cathal McConnell of The Boys of the Lough. The other is Big John McManus who learnt all of his tunes from his mother’s family the Gunns.

The London leg of the Hidden Fermanagh concert tour will include John and his wife Valerie.

As well as playing fiddle, John joins Valerie in singing duets. Brian McGrath plays keyboard and banjo. Also taking part are singers Gabriel McArdle and Catherine Nugent, Richard Creasey on bouzouki, flute players Cyril Maguire and Sharon Creasey and Francis Rasdale on whistle.