GET THEE BEHIND ME GUINNESS –

Jan. 28, 2022 – He appeared in another documentary shot in the House during the refurbishment called ‘Men of Arlington’, he was also photographed for the ground-breaking novel of emigration, I Could Read The Sky and in Deirdre O’Callaghan’s photographic study of Arlington called, Hide That Can.

I was immediately drawn to this articulate and charismatic man who talked about emigration, homelessness, and his relationship with alcohol with honesty and candour.

I also learnt a lot about this amazing building in Camden Town, which as Joe said had housed more Irish men than any other, outside of prison, anywhere in the world.

At that time, it was the only ‘wet’ hostel in London, where people could drink alcohol in designated areas. There were 450 (1400 in earlier years) men in the house and half of them were Irish.

At that time, it was estimated by homeless charities Shelter and the Simon Community that between 30 and 40 per cent of all the street homeless in London were Irish.

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