Information about the society

The Leeds Irish Historical and Cultural Society was established in 2002 by people who are interested in the history of the Leeds Irish community and the culture and traditions of Ireland.

Aims of the Society

1. To research and record the history and experiences of the Irish community in Leeds.
2. To create an oral history archive.
3. To encourage family history research, both in Britain and Ireland.
4. To campaign for the preservation and restoration of Mount St Mary's Church, Richmond Hill, Leeds which was built specifically for families who fled from the 'Great Hunger'.
5. To participate in community events; festivals, local history days etc.

We hope this website will serve the purpose of establishing a forum for those who are connected with the Leeds Irish community and are now scattered throughout the world.

150th Anniversary of Mount St Mary's

July 29th 2007 is the 150th anniversary of the opening of Mount St Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Richmond Hill, Leeds. It overlooked a crowded district of mean houses and courts known as the Bank. St Mary's Chapel on Richmond Street, the Bank had been established by Fr Robert Cooke OMI in1851 in a disused beerhouse known as the Spitalfield Tavern (more commonly known as the Squinting Duck). Significantly the year 1851 is usually regarded as the last year of the Great Famine in Ireland which started in 1845. Many of the families who had settled on the Bank had fled from Ireland during those years, hence Mount St Mary's was the Famine Church.

The establishment of the church was a consequence of a meeting between Fr Cooke and a former minister from St Saviour's Church, George Crawley, who had converted to Roman Catholicism. He convinced Fr Cooke of the need for a catholic church in such a poor district now largely populated by Irish immigrants.

Despite a desperate shortage of money Fr Cook embarked upon a programme of building the church, the foundation stone was laid in 1853 by Bishop Briggs, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Beverley. In the same year the Oblate Sisters arrived to establish a convent and to open an orphanage and schools. The opening of the church in 1857 was an occasion of great celebration and ceremony. Bishop de Mazenod, the founder of the Oblate Order and Cardinal Wiseman officiated at the ceremonies.

Due to lack of funds the church was not completed until 1865 when the chancel and the north and south transepts were added. The nave was designed by Joseph Hansom and William Wardell, the transepts and chancel was designed by Edward Welbi Pugin.

As most people are aware, the church was closed in 1989 and has deteriorated badly. Hopefully, the project being presented by the present owners, Rushbonds, will preserve this landmark building and serve as a link with the past and with the starving families who sought refuge on the Bank.

To mark the 150th anniversary an exhibition is being prepared and hopefully will be on display in September in various venues.

D. J. Kennally.
Leeds Irish Historical and Cultural Society.