A spoken-word and musical exploration of second and third-generation Irish identity, Call Yourself an Irishman, may resonate with many nationalities of migrants who found themselves making a life in a foreign land.
Focused on those born in Britain to Irish parents and grandparents, Declan Duffy’s one-man show considers the experiences of the Irish who moved to Britain and the impact their doing so has had upon their children born and raised here. It is relevant to Irish immigrants and their descendants, of course, and, beyond that, to a broader range of diaspora communities.
‘I am an Irish Londoner’, explains Declan, ‘born here to parents from County Cavan who worked as publicans in London for decades.’
But is he Irish or English? Declan explores the question of true identity when making a life in a new country while having a deep link with another country.
‘I was born in a London borough’, he says. ‘I attended London schools. I speak with a London accent. I’m from London. I’m English! But wait. I’ve got no English blood running through my veins, and I satisfy all the criteria to carry an Irish passport, and I do! I’m Irish!’
This is the dichotomy of the migrant’s child.
Exploring Irish history, immigration to England and other far-flung shores, and the impact migration has had on those growing up with foreign parents or grandparents, Declan describes an intriguing web of contradiction and contrariety.
Citing The Pogues, Lawrence of Arabia, Kate Bush, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Agatha Christie as just some of those with Irish backgrounds, he asks the question: Does the sense of Irishness within each successive generation just naturally dissipate? When does someone officially lose the identity of their forebears?
‘I believe it is hugely important to maintain links between different generations of the diaspora and ensure that each new group is aware of the realities of the lives of their ancestors, something I have sought to do in the show. It is a subject dear to me and millions of people like me,’ says Declan. ‘I passionately wish to share it with my fellow Irish diaspora, telling our story, that of the Irish in Britain.’
Call Yourself an Irishman is at Bridport Arts Centre on Saturday, February 8th. To get tickets contact the box office on 01308 424204 or visit: https://www.bridport-arts.com/event/call-yourself-an-irishman/#tickets
