Alison Spittle.

Alison Spittle represents Westmeath in ‘Irish in Britain’ series

The London-based national charity and membership network, Irish in Britain, has launched a new digital series for the run up to St Patrick’s Day, called We are the Irish in Britain: county connections.

Through 32 short videos participants talk about the Irish county or counties they have a connection to, sometimes sharing a favourite spot from their county and a message for other Irish people in Britain after a year like no other.

Comedian, writer and podcaster Alison Spittle, originally from Ballymore, represents Westmeath in the series.

Alison has appeared on RTÉ and currently co-hosts BBC comedy podcast Wheel of Misfortune with Fern Brady.

In her video, Alison chooses the Hill of Uisneach as her favourite spot in the county and talks about its ancient connection to the goddess Ériu.

Alison, with her mother, Jennifer Spittle, on the Hill of Uisneach.

The series is about celebration and connection, as well as reflection.

Participants includes poets and politicians, campaigners and comedians, nurses and broadcasters, as well as business, sport and charity leaders. They weave an impression of the many ways Irish people contribute to the rich tapestry that is Britain in 2021.

Participants include broadcaster Bridgerton actor Jamie Beamish (Waterford), Andrea Catherwood (Antrim), chef and restaurateur Richard Corrigan (Meath), Conor McGinn MP (Armagh) and former London football manager Paul Coggins (Roscommon).

The messages include calls for diversity and inclusion, recognising the difficulties of the last year in terms of mental health, getting involved in your local community, and looking ahead to next year’s St Patrick’s Day, when restrictions will have hopefully been reduced.

Irish in Britain CEO Brian Dalton said: “St Patrick’s Day is a time for Irish people everywhere to renew and affirm our connections to each other, a remembering and celebration of kinship.

“We thank everyone who has contributed to this different but important St Patrick’s Day project.”

Conor McGinn, MP, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Ireland and the Irish in Britain, said: “The new County Connections initiative is a wonderful way to celebrate the strong links we all share with places that are special to us in Ireland.

“When many of us are missing loved ones and have not been able to get home for a year, it’s a nice way to bring together our Irish community here in Britain as we approach St Patrick’s Day.”

Irish in Britain have been sharing the videos on their website www.irishinbritain.org and social media channels @irishinbritain from 3 March.

https://www.irishinbritain.org/what-we-do/celebrating-the-diaspora/we-are-the-irish-in/county-westmeath-contae-na-hiarmh

https://twitter.com/irishinbritain/status/1368871685273845762