About LIBS
Our story, our mission, and the community we've built together since 2009.
Meet our board
Behind LIBS is a group of volunteers who care deeply about the Irish community in London. We come from different careers and backgrounds, but share the same goal: to create a space where people feel connected, included and inspired
From a kitchen table to a thriving community
LIBS began in 2009 as a simple idea: create a space for Irish professionals in London to come together, share ideas, support one another and enjoy a bit of craic along the way.
Founding Chairman Darren Glynn, who helped set up the University of Galway’s BizSoc, wanted to replicate that same sense of connection and ambition in London. After months of chats across coffee tables and bar counters around Clapham, the first official networking reception took place in February 2010 with a panel exploring the impacts of the newly-formed NAMA, with none other than Enda Kenny TD on the stage.
What started as a few friends talking about how great it would be to have a pint with Willie Walsh has since grown into one of the largest and most vibrant Irish professional communities in the city.
Our journey so far
From the outset, our focus has been on high-calibre events and genuine connections. Over the years we have welcomed some of Ireland’s most recognisable leaders, including the late Peter Sutherland, Mary Robinson, Willie Walsh, Ronan Dunne, Bernard Looney, Anne O’Leary, Fiona Gallagher, and Simon Harris, as well as the next generation shaping politics, culture, and business.
We’ve also broadened our horizons beyond business into sport, with memorable evenings alongside Conor O’Shea, Pat Gilroy, Packie Bonner and Brent Pope.
In 2013, we launched the City Insights Programme, giving our members a direct line into government thinking on the future of Ireland’s financial services sector. This initiative paired Irish startups with LIBS advisors to help them crack the UK market, shaping value propositions, testing ideas, and making connections that mattered.
But what makes LIBS special is not just who takes the stage. It is what happens after: friendships that began over a drink, careers that grew through new introductions, and the confidence people found in stepping outside their comfort zones. For many, LIBS has become a home for both professional growth and personal belonging, a community that makes London feel a little smaller, warmer and more familiar.
What we stand for today
More than a decade on, LIBS is still run by volunteers and remains completely free to join. We’re proud to be a not-for-profit organisation that brings together Irish professionals for conversation, collaboration and celebration.
Our growth has never been about grand plans alone but about gumption, cold emails, bold invitations, and the generosity of Irish professionals willing to give their time and share their experiences with the next generation of arrivals.
Our vision is simple: to be a home for every Irish professional in London, and for anyone who shares an interest in Ireland. A place for important conversations and inspirational stories. A platform to celebrate success, to spark new opportunities, and to make sure there’s always room for a bit of craic.
Looking ahead
The Irish community in London is bigger and more influential than ever, and we’re buzzing for what’s next. Whether you’ve just moved over, are building your career here, or want to connect your business with ours, LIBS is here to help you feel part of something bigger.