Irish in Scotland: Between shores

Irish migration can be understood as an intergenerational condition shaped by movement, instability and continual adaptation.

'Between Shores' brings together three films that explore the Irish migrant experience to Scotland across archival documentary and experimental moving image.

Films:

The Irishmen: An Impression of Exile (1965) (52 mins) This influential social realist documentary by Philip Donnellan offers an intimate portrait of Irish migrant labourers in 1960s Britain. The film focuses on the emotional, cultural and financial challenges of living away from home.

In the Lion's Wake (1971) (18 minutes) was produced to promote Burns & Laird Lines Ltd. This film documents the journey of the ferry "Lion" on its route between Ardrossan, Scotland, and Belfast, Northern Ireland.

In A Rock and a Hard Place (2023) (11 minutes) Rachael Kelly Ryder re-visits home videos, exploring how personal and collective memory can be shaped through dialogue with the archive.

The screening will be followed by a presentation and short discussion on the films and broader themes, including Irish women's histories and diasporic memory, with guest speaker Dr Rachael Flynn.

This event has been curated by artist and researcher Rachael Kelly Ryder.

About the speaker

Guest speaker Dr Rachael Flynn is an artist-researcher and Senior Lecturer at the University of the West of Scotland. Her work explores migration, diaspora, memory, and storytelling, with a particular focus on women's experiences between Ireland and Britain.

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Host or Publisher The National Library of Scotland at Kelvin Hall