Older Irish People Living in East London and their Stories of Migration and Dance.

This thesis looks at retired Irish migrants from the 1950s and1960s cohort of migration to England who are now living in East London using stories they shared about their experiences over the life course. By conducting both interviews about the past and observations in the present, this project utilises several methodological approaches to gather a range of rich data. To add to, and diversify, the body of literature on the ‘Irish in Britain’ for Irish migration studies, it draws on the life course framework, narrative stories and the third age theory. The in-depth empirical data shows that the lives of Irish migrants in England today are more diverse than the literature currently reflects and it is the first study of its kind to focus on modern day Irish-run tea dances. Moreover, it shows how the current Irish-run tea dances for migrants in England, provide a similar cultural experience and fulfil similar cultural expectations to the Irish-run dance halls that were popular upon arrival to England fifty years ago. Thus, this thesis offers a distinctive focus on the cultural significance of dance for Irish migrants over time and place while still also considering the other important transitions and the complexities of identity through life.