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The Federation was founded in 1973 at a meeting in the London Irish Centre, when the Northern and Southern Federations amalgamated to form a national Federation of Irish Societies. During the 70's, the issue confronting the Federation were quite different though no less diverse than those facing their organisation today. Ina the early days when societies were beginning to acquire their own premises, the priority was to gain expertise in the management of Irish centres and to provide appropriate entertainment for the membership.

Concerns quickly changed when the Federation had to cope with the implications of bombings in London and elsewhere, the hunger strikes and the introduction of the prevention of Terrorism Act (P.T.A.). The plight of the Birmingham Six, the Guildford Four and the Maguire family were also high on the agenda of the Federation's activities at that time.

In 1983 the Federation changed the non-politically clause in the constitution to read "non-politically aligned". This change allowed the Officers to make a written submission to the New Ireland Forum in 1983. Major submissions were presented to the reviews by Lord Jellico and Viscount Colville outlining the Federation's opposition to the P.T.A.

The mid 80's heralded a huge increase in emigration from Ireland. While many of the new arrivals were well equipped; for emigration, a sizeable portion were in great need of advice, support and guidance. Through our Community Care network, the Federation ;found itself at the forefront in the provision of support to those in need and our Community Care Committee continues to be central to the delivery of services to disadvantaged members of the community. The founding of the Irish Housing Associations: Irish Centre Housing, Cara, Innisfree and An Teach marked a real breakthrough for the community.

Throughout the 80's and early 90's, the Federation's cultural arm was extremely active. Events included the organisation of a tour of Britain in 1981 by Siamsa Tire, the National Folk Theatre of Ireland, Siamsa Cois Uisce - a three week Irish Festival at the Watermans Art Centre in London in 1985 and a week long festival of drama in Coventry in 1985. Two further festivals were organised at the Riverside Studios in Hammersmith in 1989 and 1990.

Formal meetings with the Irish Government commenced in 1983 and have taken place annually since then. Contact with British Government Officials followed and in recent times these meeting have occurred more frequently. Quarterly meetings are now held with the Irish Ambassador on matters relating to the Irish community in Britain. The Federating also attends meetings of the British Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body and has been represented on the Home Office Race Relations Forum.

A key issue for the community was the introduction of an Irish category in the last census. The Federation campaigned actively for this and succeeded in having it included. In recent years the Federation has produced quality research highlighting the causes of need amongst the disadvantaged in our community. We have also developed close links with a number of key British cultural institutions.