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.

The first Manchester Irish Language Film Festival was launched in the city at the weekend to laudable success.

The event, which took place in the Cornerhouse Independent Cinema on Oxford Street, was attended by more than 60 people from Ireland and all over the north west of England.

Conradh na Gaeilge secretary Niall Murphy feels the festival has done much to raise the profile of the Irish language in the area.

He said: “It’s made it accessible to people and by putting it on in the Cornerhouse it’s quite prestigious.

“It has raised the profile and puts the language up there with other minority languages.

“It raised the status and it validates it as a language.

Organisers now hope to make the Manchester Irish Language Film Festival an annual event.

“It’s very important as it gives it a bit of status and it’s then taken more seriously,” the Co. Down man added.

The two films shown were Yu Ming Is Ainm Dom (My Name is Yu Ming) and the 1977 classic Poitín.

The films were introduced by Feargal McCullough who read out a message from the Irish Embassy wishing the festival good luck.

Following the showing the keynote address was given by Donegal academic, writer and teacher Dr Eithne Ni Ghallchobhair.

The festival was the result of many months of hard work between Conradh na Gaeilge Manchester, Manchester Irish Language Group and Cinemas Education Officer at Cornerhouse Rachel Hayward.