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.

Two Irish men in Britain are encouraging their fellow Irish to come out and support a new social club in London.

Alan Kirby and Mark Dunning have organised their first event for the London Irish Social Club (LISC) and are looking forward to what should be a great night.

Alan Kirby, 38, from Finglas, Co. Dublin said the pair had been thinking about setting up a club for some time.

He said: “I met Mark through the London Irish Network where I’d been on the committee for four years.

“It had been in the back of my mind for a long time but finally in December we started getting it organised.

“I’m hoping to get a club of Irish people together where it’s very important that we stay within the culture of Ireland.

“I know an awful lot of Irish people who’ve gone back to Ireland but there is still plenty of second-generation Irish here.”

The LISC will hold its first event on Saturday, January 19 at The Ship Tavern, 12 Gate Street, Holborn, WC2A 3HP.

The event starts at 8.30pm and will carry on at a local nightclub from 11pm.

Mark Dunning, 30, hails from Athlone and moved to London over three years ago.

He said: “Alan and I are hoping to get a group of younger or second-generation Irish people in London together and we hope to meet up every three or four weeks.

“At the moment we are advertising online and a lot of people have joined our mailing list so it should be a good night.”

For more information contact Alan on 020 8257 1564 or Mark on 077 2278 3375 or e-mail: londonirishsocialclub@yahoo.co.uk to be added to the club’s mailing list.