WE Built This City, a lively panel discussion raising awareness and celebrating the contribution Irish people have made to the built and cultural fabric of London, brought the Irish involvement in this year's London Festival of Architecture to a close last night.
The event took place at Rich Mix in Shoreditch and was chaired by Irish architect Angela Brady from Brady Mallalieu Architects. Among those in attendance was Irish Minister for Diaspora Affairs Jimmy Deenihan TD, who paid tribute to the huge contribution of the Irish Diaspora to the construction of London.
Danny Maher from Ashford Place, Irish Minister for Diaspora Affairs Jimmy Deenihan TD, Denis Geaney, Charlotte Curran from Irish in Britain, Michael O'Neill and Irish Ambassador Dan Mulhall. Photo - Malcolm McNallyPanelists on the night were Dervilla Mitchell CBE from Arup, Jarlath Regan, comic and creator of the Irishman Abroad Podcast, Professor Mary Hickman, research fellow at the Centre for Irish Studies Twickenham, Niall McLaughlin from Niall McLaughlin Architects and Ultan Cowley, author of The Men Who Built Britain.
A short film by Dyehouse Films was screened as an introduction to the discussion, capturing the spirit of the Irish contribution and hard work in rebuilding London.
Panelists Jarlath Regan comic and creator of the Irishman Abroad Podcast and Professor Mary Hickman, research fellow at the Centre for Irish Studies Twickenham. Photo - Malcolm McNallyWe Built this City was presented by the Irish Architecture Foundation in collaboration with Irish Design 2015 and the Office of the Minister for Diaspora Affairs of Ireland. We Built This City continues in New York in October and Chicago in January.
Ireland was selected as the first ever focus country for this year's London Festival of Architecture.
