IN 1923 Irish Independence was a hot topic in the newspapers.

And in Bradford, a grand ball was a highlight of that year for the city's Irish population.

Remember When? reader Vincent Finn has sent us this photograph of his father, Tom Finn, who was listed on the programme of the Grand Irish Ball, held on March 16, 1923. It was, or course, the day before St Patrick's Day, a significant date on the Irish calendar.

There was a tumultuous political backdrop to the Bradford ball. "Winston Churchill at that time was Minister of War, and as such he oversaw negotiations between the troops fighting for independence led by Michael Collins, and Great Britain," said Vincent. "At the conclusion of the talks, Home Rule for Ireland was established in 1922.

"It was followed by a bitter civil war, which wasn't resolved until the mid-1920s. So a dance in Bradford sponsored by an Irish National Club in 1923 was quite a talking point."

For those making their way to the ball at the Michael Davitt Irish National Club in Bradford that night in 1923, the thoughts were of having a good time, with a drink and a dance, and maybe even meeting the girl or chap of their dreams.

"Admission was two shillings," says Vincent. "On the inside of the card was a dance programme which listed 20 different dances. On the opposite side were the titles of the dancers with a space; I imagine that was to write down the name of your prospective partner for that particular dance. Dancing ran from 7.30pm to 1am and there was an interval, to allow the dancers a little refreshment.

"The Bradford Catholic Orchestra provided the music. One of the three MCs who organised the dance was my father, Tom Finn, who I believe was a founder member of the Michael Davitt Club. The other photo is of Martin Grogan, my father's cousin and a committee member at the club for many years.

"I believe it was the custom at functions like this for a local photographic studio to be present to take pictures of the guests, then you could buy a copy of the picture."

Back in 1923 Bradford had a large Catholic population, built up in the major parishes that were still quite new at the time.

"There was St Mary's, East Parade, with Otley Road at its centre, St Patrick's, Westgate, with the Westgate section of town at its centre, St Joseph's, Pakington Street, with Manchester Road, and to a smaller degree St Ann's in Wakefield Road," said Vincent. "There were other Catholic organisations. I am not sure if the Catholic Players was running by this time, they may now be the last organisation left from this era."

Adds Vincent: "At this time the area of Manchester Road around St Joseph's Church was sometimes referred to as the 'Irish Channel' because of its large concentrated Irish population. I don't think many of the Catholic parishes that were in the city in the 1930s and 40s had been established in 1923.

"Also, at this time there were three major army barracks in Bradford - Valley Parade, Belle Vue and Bradford Moor. During the First World War several Irish regiments had been stationed in Bradford and I think in 1923 there were still soldiers from Irish regiments based in the city."