The Story Behind the the Irish Chaplaincy in London

RTÉ Nationwide, Wednesday 19 December 7pm, RTÉ One

 

 

This Wednesday evening (19 December 2018), RTÉ Nationwide follows the story of the Irish Chaplaincy in London which has been providing support to Irish emigrants in the British capital for over 60 years. Started at a time when huge numbers of Irish were emigrating to London, nine priests were sent by Irish bishops to help the newly arrived men and women with accommodation, job searches, and advice on their rights. 

Over the years the role of the chaplaincy has evolved and today it provides an outreach programme to the over 20,000 elderly Irish living on their own in London, as well as the over 700 Irish people in UK prisons. Reporter Colm Flynn travels to London to meet the men and women who run the Irish Chaplaincy today and see first hand the work being done. 

The Irish Chaplaincy was founded in London in 1957 in response to the thousands of young Irish men and women who were arriving from Ireland in search of work at that time. RTÉ Nationwide visits the Irish Chaplaincy which is located at Camden Square in London and speaks with the CEO of the charity to find out why it was set up and how they’ve helped thousands of Irish people re-adjust to their new lives in London down through the years.

Around 125,000 Polish people have made their homes here in Ireland. Like the Irish in London, the Catholic Church in Poland has responded to the needs of their fellow countrymen and women and have sent priests to work in Ireland and support the Polish communities around the country. Reporter, Marian Malone has been to Ennis to meet Fr. Dariusz Plasek who came to Ireland to serve the Polish Community in County Clare but has since been appointed a curate working with all the parishioners of the Parish of Ennis.  

Viewers can watch RTÉ Nationwide live on RTÉ One at 7.00pm on Wednesday 19 December and also live and on-demand via the RTÉ Player.

Archive image of the Irish Chaplincy at work in London back in the 1950s- 60s.
The Story Behind the the Irish Chaplaincy in London features in a special RTÉ Nationwide programme on Wednesday 19 December 7pm, RTÉ One

(L-R) Paul Raymond the Irish Chaplaincy Seniors manager with RTÉ Nationwide reporter Colm Flynn in London.
The Story Behind the the Irish Chaplaincy in London features in a special RTÉ Nationwide programme on Wednesday 19 December 7pm, RTÉ One