10.06.2026
David Kelly kindly hosted a very successful and meaningful visit to the Irish Lodging Room – 1956 at the Museum of the Home by a group of Irish gentlemen from Ashford Place.
The visit helped highlight personal stories of Irish migrants, which are often overlooked but form an important part of social history, and we were honoured to contribute to preserving and sharing everyday lived experiences of Irish communities in London.
The reconstructed lodging room was filled with genuine items bought over by millions of Irish people in the famous brown suitcase, often packed by their mothers. Everyone wore their best clothes and kept close their handwritten references and religious items like rosary beads, prayer books or a holy picture to keep them safe. Other items in the room included an Irish passport, a portrait of the Sacred Heart, a Sunday best suit upon the hot iron, and much-treasured, unopened pot of Yardley’s cream that belonged to David’s mother.
Promoted by the rich collection of items from their pasts and David’s enthusiasm, our clients shared their own immigration stories and memories of first arriving to London as young Irish men. David told a story of one man who was given the wish bone from the chicken at his farewell meal by his mother and told to pull it for good luck when he got settled. He never did; it was the last thing his mother gave him and the memory of home.
We spoke about how times were very hard in Ireland and emigrants left in search of work and the hope of sending money and clothes home to help the family. Getting a letter home and money made a huge difference to people’s lives.
Part of the fun of the visit was the Uber journey to the museum from Cricklewood to Hoxton via Hampstead Heath, Highgate, Archway, Highbury etc. Our gentlemen enjoyed spotting places they had not seen in years or indeed ever been to.
Thank you to David for your thoughtful curation and dedication to telling stories of London’s Irish diaspora.
The Museum are now seeking artefacts from Irish migrants (1950s–60s) for display.
David plans to visit Ashford Place soon to follow up and we plan on taking another group along in July.
