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Please be advised that the Consulate General of Ireland, Edinburgh website has moved and this page is no longer being updated. The Consulate website is now available at Ireland.ie/edinburgh.

New to Scotland?

If you have recently moved to Scotland, you may wish to meet with other Irish people, who are part of a local organisation or business network and can provide you with general advice, information and guidance.

There are also many different types of Irish societies and organisations in Scotland and the rest of Britain, in the areas of welfare, music, Irish language, sport, business, and more.

Below is a selection of some of these groups and societies. If you wish to add a group to the list, please contact the Consulate. This list is provided for information purposes only. Please note that the Consulate is not responsible for the content of external websites or activities of groups/societies.

Scotland

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann is the largest group involved in the preservation and promotion of Irish traditional music in Scotland. The first branch of CCÉ outside the island of Ireland was established in Glasgow in 1957. CCÉ is a non-profit cultural movement with hundreds of local branches around the world including the Irish Minstrels and St James the Great branches in Glasgow, St. Patrick's branch in Coatbridge and the Johnny Doherty branch in Motherwell.

Scotland GAA

Scotland GAA is dedicated to the promotion of Gaelic games and culture across Scotland. Scotland GAA clubs include Edinburgh's Dunedin Connollys, Dalriada GFC in Aberdeen and Dundee, Sands MacSwineys in Coatbridge, and Glaschú Gaels and Tir Conaill Harps in Glasgow. Ceann Creige Hurling and Camogie Club is a new GAA club, founded on 5 April 2019, located in the East End of Glasgow providing hurling & camogie to both young people and adults.

Conradh na Gaeilge

The Padraig Pearse branch of Conradh na Gaeilge was established in Glasgow in 1895. Since then, the branch has provided and advanced education in the Irish language through language classes, conversation, singing, poetry, drama and Irish cultural activities around the city. While Conradh na Gaeilge does not have a permanent presence in Edinburgh, the organisation hosts a monthly 'Ciorcal Comhrá' or conversation class at the Consulate General of Ireland. Please contact the Consulate or Conradh na Gaeilge for further information.

Little Ireland Arts Collective

Little Ireland Arts Collective is a community organisation which builds connections for Irish community in Edinburgh and beyond through arts, the Irish language and culture.

Causeway: Ireland-Scotland Business Exchange

Causeway: Ireland-Scotland Business Exchange, formerly known as the Irish Business Network Scotland, is a not-for-profit organisation that connects high level business people from Ireland and Scotland to identify and explore new collaborative business opportunities. The Network was established in 2016 by a group of like-minded business people from Ireland and Scotland, who believe that enhancing communication and building relationships between individuals and organisations from both countries will add significant value to their business. The organisation is supported by both the Irish and Scottish Governments. For further information, including on how to join, visit the Causeway website.

Streetwork and Cyrenians can provide welfare support and assistance to Irish people in Scotland.

There are also a number of organisations that work on behalf of the Irish community across Great Britain including Irish in Britain , the Irish Network Great Britain and the Ireland Funds.

Advice to emigrants

It is recommended that people moving to or from Ireland do as much research as possible. The Cross Care Migrant Project and the Safe Home Programme provide advice to emigrants. 

If you are thinking of returning or moving to Ireland, you can find advice on our Coming Home page.