EPISODE 4: ''Close your eyes and dream''

Through vivid memories stretching into the 1990s, we hear how traditional Irish music offered a sense of home, how The Troubles in the north of Ireland cast a long shadow over daily life in the city, and how newer waves of Irish migrants were welcomed with empathy and kindness into Manchester’s evolving community. This episode continues to spotlight personal stories from the Irish diaspora who settled in Manchester offering a rich tapestry of identity, resilience, and cultural connection across generations. Don’t forget to follow us if you’re listening on Spotify and leave a comment – we’d love to hear if any stories resonated with you! If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts please leave us a review, it really helps us share these stories further! If you’re on instagram, give us a follow - we post images relevant to each episode @theresalotihaventasked The podcast is produced by Blueprint Studios and music throughout the series is created, played, and produced by Michael McGoldrick. With special thanks to Frankie Gavin for generously allowing us to play a section from De Danann’s from ‘Medley: Tom Billy's, Ryan's Jig, The Sandmount Reel, The Clogher Reel’ sets and The McGoldrick Family Band for generously allowing us to play a section from their debut album ‘One For the Road’. This material should not be reproduced or edited. This episode includes references to racism, institutional abuse, and the 1996 IRA bombing in Manchester. You can find a transcription of this episode on our website: ⁠www.theresalotihaventasked.co.uk/podcast⁠ Creator: Hannah Donelon Music: Michael McGoldrick Producers: Ian Stewart and Gary Hadfield at Blueprint Studios Assistant Editors: Nicholas Barber & George Fitzgibbon Assistant Producers: Nicholas Barber & Catherine Leen Podcast Artwork: Chloe Heffernan Marketing Consultant: Vic Turnbull at MIC Media There’s A Lot I Haven’t Asked is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and also supported by the Consulate General of Ireland, Manchester. A huge thank you to all the voices on this episode (in order of appearance): Liam Goodwin, Gerry Connaughton, Michael Connaughton, Sheila, Katherina, Tommy Grogan, Mary Muszanskyj, John, Eamonn McCarthy, Rose Morris, Joe Moran, and Bridie Rodden. If you enjoyed the content of this episode you may also enjoy Irish Nurses in the UK available wherever you get your podcasts. Commentary on the 1996 IRA bomb was drawn from research in Manchester Central Library’s Archives. With thanks to Irish Mancunian for additional research support and Made by Mortals for additional production support. We would also love to report any feedback you have to our funders and to reflect on our practise so if you have 5 minutes, please fill in our survey to let us know your thoughts: ⁠https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfIfu12NaBtMLEa2eAaXQwTG6_yrBocWB8uVAQ4AKq9Kjnc5A/viewform?usp=sf_link⁠