Exhibition: Café D’Jaconelli: A Scottish-Italian Success Story
6th February until 10th April, Monday- Friday, 10am-5pm.
Maryhill Burgh Halls, 24 Gairbraid Ave, Glasgow G20 8YE

A new exhibition opening in Maryhill Burgh Halls explores Scottish-Italian migration and community life through the story of Café D’Jaconelli, a century-old café remembered fondly by generations of Maryhill people.

An evening in Jaconelli’s 1950s

Focusing on the iconic café, which featured in Trainspotting, the exhibition traces how Italian families established cafés and ice-cream businesses, adapted their names and traditions, and became part of everyday Scottish life. Café D’Jaconelli is shown, not as an isolated success story, but as part of a wider pattern across Scotland, where cafés were both workplaces and social hubs.
The exhibition brings together photographs and personal stories to illustrate the lives of Italian migrants and their contribution to local communities.
Aurora Segnan, Heritage Coordinator of Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust and, herself, an Italian migrant, said:
“It’s been rewarding to discover what people before me built, and to tell a story that is about Maryhill, its cafés, and its community.
“By tracing the history of Café D’Jaconelli, the exhibition highlights the lasting contributions of Scottish-Italian families and reflects the everyday places and people that left a mark not just on the Italian community but, also, every Glaswegian.”
Paul Jaconelli, the son of the late Mario Jaconelli, the popular proprietor of the iconic café said:
‘’ Seeing these photos of our much-loved family members serving the people of Maryhill and beyond brings back so many memories and has reminded us of how much the community means to our family. We are grateful to have been a part of it for so many years.’’
This section: Art, Photography, Exhibitions what's on-glasgow, Pat's Home Page Blog, What's On Glasgow West End: cinema, clubs, theatre, music, events, festivals, community and more
Related Pages
- The Scotland Channel presents Hillhead Hoolie
- Could you open your home and heart to a guide dog puppy, and help change a life?
- California Schemin at GFT
- Take 2: Where The Wild Things Are, GFT
- The Room plus Greg Sestero Q and A
- It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley at GFT
- North Glasgow Against Racism
- The Good Boy at GFT
- Everybody to Kenmure Street, Community Film Screening
- Scottish National Jazz Orchestra – Two Gils and a Bill, Royal Concert Hall Glasgow
- Merchant Sinfonia Spring Concert Glasgow
- Storytelling For Adults, Alexandria
- Splitsville at GFT
- Heidi Talbot, Paisley Arts Centre
- The Drama – GFT
- Scotland and Los Angeles Showcase GFT
- Rose of Nevada GFT
- Rushmore – Access Film Club GFT
- Broken English – GFT
- Helen Rose Outdoor Diary: Cairneyhill to North Queensferry