Contributed by Helen Zamojskyj (née Johnson)
Helen Zamojskyj’s family story is one of movement, resilience, and community—a narrative deeply rooted in Galway, Laois, and Manchester, shaped by the Irish diaspora’s unyielding sense of identity.
Born into a family with strong Irish roots, Helen’s ancestors hailed from Windfield, Brierfield, and the wider County Galway region. Like many before them, her family’s story was shaped by migration, economic survival, and the search for opportunity.
Helen’s mother, Mary Johnson (née Whyte), came to England at the age of 19, initially working for a family in Lymm, Cheshire, before moving to Manchester, where she found work in a herbalist’s shop. After the war, her father emigrated to Manchester from his home of Rathmoyle, Abbeyleix, County Laois. He found work as a labourer before becoming a bus driver. Their lives, like those of many Irish emigrants, revolved around the structures of the Irish community, particularly St. Chad’s Church, which provided a social and cultural anchor.
Helen’s father, Jim Johnson, played a significant role in the Irish community in Manchester. He was a founding member of the original Irish Centre and the Irish parade in Manchester, which began as a small procession from the top of the road to St. Chad’s Church and eventually grew into a major annual event. He was also Chairman of the Manchester Laoise Association. A trade unionist and political activist, he was a committed member of the Labour Party and the Council of Irish Societies, advocating for Irish workers’ rights and community representation in local politics.
For Helen, childhood summers meant returning to Ireland, where she spent long visits at her grandmother’s home in Galway. These visits forged an unbreakable connection to her heritage, offering her a glimpse into the lives of her extended family, many of whom had dispersed to America and Australia. Her family’s history, like that of so many others, was scattered across continents, woven together by letters, photographs, and the enduring pull of Irish identity.
As the Irish community in Manchester evolved, Helen saw first-hand the changing nature of Irishness. She witnessed a shift from the struggles of first-generation immigrants—who faced discrimination and social exclusion—to a new generation embracing their heritage with pride. Music, politics, and cultural movements all played a role in this transformation. Helen speaks of how Irish identity was sometimes diluted when women married outside the community, but also how younger generations, even those of mixed heritage, have begun reclaiming their Irish roots.
Her own life has been marked by personal and cultural connections beyond Ireland. Helen married into the Ukrainian community in Manchester, discovering parallels between the Ukrainian and Irish migrant experiences—shared struggles, traditions, and a deep sense of belonging. The Ukrainian community, like the Irish, maintained strong ties through churches, social clubs, and cultural events.
Today, Helen remains deeply involved in cultural preservation, advocating for the recognition of Irish history in Manchester. She is passionate about projects that document and celebrate the contributions of the Irish community, ensuring that the stories of her parents and grandparents—of migration, survival, and cultural continuity—are preserved for future generations. For her, the Irish experience in Manchester is one of strength, solidarity, and an enduring love for the home that so many had to leave behind.