The Irish in Britain, including those of Irish descent, make up a significant part of the UK population. Here, you will find news, entertainment, events, sports and features from the local Irish Post newspaper.

FORMER All-Ireland accordion champion Ciarán Kelly has died in London aged 86.

Ciarán was one of the leading figures in the Irish traditional music scene of the 1950s and 60s.

Born in Clonmacnoise in Co. Offaly he suffered from asthma as a child which prevented him from attending school regularly.

Recognising his plight a relative bought him an accordion so he could pass the time and the young boy found that he had a natural musical talent.

Without any tuition Ciarán became a virtuoso on the instrument winning the All-Ireland Accordion Championships two years running in the mid-1950s.

He toured Ireland with the Ciarán Kelly Céilí Band and moved to London in the early ’70s continuing to delight the city’s thriving Irish community by playing in the pubs and clubs.

Over 1,000 mourners attended the removal service in Athlone before Ciarán was buried in his native place the beautiful, ancient cemetery of Clonmacnoise on the banks of the Shannon.