“Every year, The Ireland Fund of Great Britain receives numerous applications from British organisations involved in three main types of non-sectarian and non-denominational activity: Peace & Reconciliation, Education & Community Development, Arts & Culture.

In 2004 The Ireland Fund of Great Britain distributed over £800,000 to charitable projects across the United Kingdom and Ireland. These days, we are particularly focused on helping the many vulnerable and elderly members of our Irish community here in Britain.
Amongst the many other applications for funding we considered last year, we were intrigued to receive one application inviting us to get involved in something called ‘Conquering England’. This fascinating collection underlines the contribution made to Victorian London society by Irish artists, poets, playwrights, authors, journalists, impresarios and theatrical entrepreneurs.
The exhibition has proved a tremendous success since it opened in March – attracting record numbers of visitors (over 30,000 as of April 12th) and receiving extremely positive press coverage.
One of the most remarkable things about this exhibition is the way in which it prompts us, whatever our nationality or background, to question the traditional clichés surrounding our 'Irishness'.
We are all aware that the Irish in Britain are far more likely to be associated with ‘Concreting England’ rather than conquering it, and indeed there is no shame in that. But this exhibition reminds us that there is far more to celebrate in the complex history of the relationship between Britain and Ireland.

The curators of the exhibition are the art historian Fintan Cullen (Head of Art History at Nottingham University) and Prof. Roy Foster, (Carroll professor of Irish History at Oxford). We are delighted and honoured to have Roy – who is a longstanding friend of The Ireland Fund – with us here this evening.

I would also like to thank Sandy Nairn, Director of The National Portrait Gallery, for allowing us to have private access to the exhibition. This is a wonderful opportunity for our existing supporters to meet each other and indeed, we are very happy to welcome many newcomers to The Ireland Fund this evening.”