Pubs might be off-limits this St Patrick’s Day but why not celebrate with an Islington guided tour instead?
The Islington Guided Walks Association will be hosting a virtual tour next week in a bid to explore the influence of Irish culture on the borough. It is free to attend and will take place via Zoom at 11am on Wednesday 17 March.
The virtual St Patrick’s Day walk will take the audience from St Joseph’s Church on Highgate Hill down to Clerkenwell and includes a live commentary with images.
The tour is hosted by Oonagh Gay, chair of the Clerkenwell and Islington Guides’ Association (CIGA). Oonagh is a qualified walking tour guide who took early retirement to focus on her new career as a guide.
Oonagh believes the impact that Irish immigrants have had on Islington deserves recognition.
Irish influence in the Islington
“This virtual event is a chance to showcase the Irish contribution in Islington, which has been immense,” she said. “There have always been Irish people in Islington but in the postwar period the Irish-born percentage of Islington’s [whole] population leapt up to around 20%.”
The virtual tour will focus on traditional aspects of Irish culture such as cèilidh dances and Gaelic sport, as well as popular contemporary influences.
“The Irish have a fantastic musical heritage and there were a lot of pubs in Islington where world-class fiddlers would play, as well as the Gresham Ballroom on Holloway Road,” Oonagh said.
“Of course there’s the new generation as well. People like Johnny Rotten, who came from a very Irish background, were brought up in what he called the slums of Holloway.”
Oonagh is keen that all age groups engage in these online events, particularly given that the Irish demographic in Islington is older than it once was.
She said: “I think over 40% of Irish-born people in Islington now are over 65, so that presents challenges in supporting them… but Zoom is easy once you’ve got the link. Just click on it and join us from your living room.”
Pick your virtual tour
Islington Guided Walks has been offering themed virtual walks throughout the year, as well as socially distanced walks when possible. In normal times, the CIGA provides in-depth tours of iconic historical sites in Islington, including Charterhouse and Canonbury Tower.
Although the CIGA looks forward to reconnecting with the community in person, Oonagh believes there have been some benefits to expanding virtual tours.
She said: “The advantage of virtual walks is you can go a lot further in your mind and show older photos, which we couldn’t normally… We want to do what we can to make people feel a part of a wider community.”
To sign up to this free St Patricks Day virtual tour, follow this link.
