The Irish Diaspora

National Library of Ireland

diaspora — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 21:21:55 +0000

The National Library of Ireland online catalogue is a brilliant creation!

The area I really like is the digitised glass plate images from their early photographic collections.

Once you’re on the site the first thing you’re likely to do is search against place names. We live in Ballydehob and my father comes from Glandore, my mother Graiguenamanagh, and it’s great to be able to see what these places looked like 100 years ago or so.

No need to write too much about it, better just go there and check it out for yourselves.

The National Library of Ireland online catalogue – enjoy!

Rose of Tralee 2010

diaspora — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 19:33:29 +0000

On the night update!
London do it again, 2nd year in a row! – and a big congratulations to our new Rose, Clare Kambamettu, a worthy winner and a lovely girl.

London - Clare Kambamettu

Reckon her dad ‘ll be riding that horse through Athy doing yeehahs all the way

And here’s all the roses for 2010….

Arizona - Danielle McBurnett

Belfast - Frances Rafferty

Boston - Deirdre Keane

Carlow - Jessica Adamson

Cork - Laura Mitchell

Darwin - Valerie O'Halloran

Down - Gemma Murphy

Dubai - Elaine Rael

Dublin - Niamh Sherlock

Germany - Ruth Levins

Kerry - Veronica Hunt

Laois - Bernadette Ryan

Leicester - Aishling Ryan

Leitrim - Martha Gilheaney

Liverpool - Aine Shine

London - Clare Kambamettu

Luxembourg - Clare McGing

New Orleans - Lizzy Wales

New York - Katie Dunleavy

New Zealand - Elizabeth Sara

Perth - Mollie Hartley

Philadelphia - Mairead Conley

Queensland - Aisling Ryan

San Francisco - Roisin Hunt

South Australia - Bridget O'Connell

Southern California - Sarah Felong

Sunderland - Noreen Feeney

Sydney - Lousie Lenihan

Texas - Adrienne Hussey

Tipperary - Lynda Kelly

Toronto - Yvonne Herber

Washington DC - Kathering Walsh

All good fun as usual!

Cycle of America 2010

diaspora — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 15:12:23 +0000

To all our North American friends (expecially those between Seattle and Washington) if you see these guys give them your support. Eoin, William and Mark are doing a 49 day 6,000km cycle across america in aid of both Irish and US cancer charities.

So far they have raised just in excess €20,000, and they’d love to reach their €30,000 target. They’re covering the cost of the venture themselves and each have their own personal reasons for wanting to help cancer organisations.

Read all about the lads on their Cycle of America website, and say hello to them on their Facebook page.

Wishing you a safe and enjoyable trip guys, and well done for pulling this together.

Irish Emigration

diaspora — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 10:43:22 +0000

According to the Irish Central Statistics Office the net influx of Irish Nationals coming back to Ireland between 2006 and 2009 was just over 13,000…

**Immigration and Emigration : Irish Nationals : 2006 – 2009**
	2006	2007	2008	2009	TOTAL
Immigration	18,900	20,000	16,200	18,400	73,500
Emigration	15,300	13,100	13,400	18,400	60,200

Looking to the future, the ESRI (Economic and Social Research Institute) predicts that 120,000 Irish Nationals will leave during 2010 and 2011, and possibly upwards of 200,000 by 2015.

“The Third Wave”

Albeit smaller than in previous eras many of the reasons are similar. A contracted economy, limited job prospects, and government suggestions (see video, 6 minutes in) that emigration and exporting our talent isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Some however would have a different perspective, e.g, Martina Devlin, The Independent.

Whatever your views about emigration the effect on ordinary families is largely the same, and the direction that peoples lives take is still open to the same influences as in the past.

THE NATURAL COURSE OF THINGS

For most the plan will be to spend a year or so away from home, gain some experience, and consider their options when things start to pick up. That’s the intention to start with, but things change. A different career path offers itself, opportunities arise, or a new girlfriend or boyfriend appears on the scene, and gradually those original plans drift to the background.

The same cycle that existed for previous generations will repeat itself – newly dispersed families. Many that leave will settle and bring their culture and heritage with them, they will pass those values on, and their new families will become part of the melting pot of diverse accents that is the Irish diaspora.

AND THE POINT?

As Gabriel Byrne recently put it…

“Ireland forgets about the seeds that have gone away, but the seeds that have gone away have never forgotten about Ireland”

So what can we do to change that, how can we change the way of thinking so that Ireland doesn’t forget?

Certificate of Irish Heritage

diaspora — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 23:57:08 +0000

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Micheál Martin, has announced he will be introducing a Certificate of Irish Heritage; available to those of Irish descent who do not qualify for Irish citizenship.

The announcement was made at the Ireland Funds Global Young Leaders Conference, and the certificate is expected to be available later this year.

The address included some noticeable statements:

- Any discussion of harnessing the Irish Diaspora for the 21st Century must commence with a recognition of how some 70 million people around the world can today trace their ancestors to this island.

- The Irish Diaspora is not limited to Irish citizens living abroad or to those who have activated citizenship. Instead, it encompasses all those who believe they are of Irish descent and feel a sense of affinity with this country.

Also drawn to attention was the Irish Constitution amendment introduced during the Good Friday agreement: “the Irish nation cherishes its special affinity with people of Irish ancestry living abroad who share its cultural identity and heritage”.

THOUGHTS

It’s not yet clear what the holder might be entitled to, how it will be implemented, or whether there’s a cost. Hopefully it reflects some new perspectives on Irelands relationship with its diaspora, and is being introduced on the basis that its existence will signify and, just as importantly, invite respect for one’s Irish heritage.

To achieve the latter a broader strategy is required, one that encourages Ireland to re-engage with it’s diaspora as well as inviting the diaspora to re-engage with Ireland. More on that later…

Minnesota Irish Cultural Center

diaspora — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 18:50:54 +0000

In July 1838, three soldiers filed claims for land in what is now Saint Paul, Minnesota. Edward Phelan, John Hays and William Evans were all natives of Ireland and were some of the earliest settlers to the area. The first St Patricks Day parade took place in 1851, and by 1857 the Irish were the second largest foreign-born group in the region.

In the 2000 US Census 600,000 Minnesotans claimed Irish ancestry.

The Minnesota Irish Cultural Center was started in 2009 by a group of volunteers who, over a number of years, have nurtured the vision of creating a broad-based nonprofit Center dedicated to the study, preservation and celebration of Irish culture in all its many forms.

The center will provide services and facilities, and a degree of centralization, for the many clubs and organisations that promote and celebrate all things Irish in Minnesota. One of the aims is to become the local primary gateway to Ireland for all those of Irish ancestry living in the state.

Having established the center the priority now is to acquire a suitable property, in the right location, that will serve as a year-round base of operations. MICC has recently found a building along the St. Paul / Minneapolis border, near the intersection of Como Avenue and Highway 280, that meets the criteria.

Looking at the photos on the MICC website it certainly looks ideal. A variety of spaces that would cater for anything from small meetings, to dance and music classes, to conferences, and larger community events such as plays and dance evenings etc in the 3300 square foot ballroom area.

The Challenge
Local government budget cuts have created a hurdle as previously anticipated funding is no longer available. This means that the Minnesota Irish will have to ‘do it off their own backs’ and the center is calling for volunteers, donations, and corporate sponsors to help. If you live in Minnesota (or elsewhere) and can offer time or financial support this is a fantastic project to get involved in.

Here’s the link to the MICC website, and it would be great to do a follow up post in the future marking the next stage in the center’s evolution.

Famine Memorial Day 2010

diaspora — Sat, 01 May 2010 08:09:34 +0000

Extracts from a letter by Alan Hennessy (Co.Cork) and Terrance O’Dwyer (New York) to Minister O’Cuiv:

National Famine Memorial Day : 16th May 2010.

Dear Madame Secretary,

We are an Irishman (Mr. Hennessey) and an Irish-American (O’Dwyer) who are concerned over the seeming lack of awareness of the upcoming National Famine Memorial Day.

Mr. O’Dwyer did not know of the 2009 Commemoration, but learned off through Mr. Hennessey, and together we have discovered that many–if not most people of Irish descent are simply unaware that May 16th is a day of remembrance in Ireland.

In an attempt to increase awareness among the Irish Internet community, we have started a National Famine Memorial Day page on the website Facebook. That said, our expectations are not high – we would consider our efforts to be extraordinarily successful were we to attract 1000 people to our group.

We recognize this period is busy for you and the Committee. Nevertheless, we respectfully ask that the committee issue a statement asking all Irish people outside of Ireland to pause for just 60 seconds at noontime [local time] on May 16 as a gesture of remembrance of the victims of An Gorta Mór.

Our common objective is simple: to increase awareness of National Famine Memorial Day.

Yours faithfully ,

Alan Hennessy,
Member of the Irish Academy of Public Relations and Communications
Cork.

Terrance O’Dwyer
New York.

Well done Alan and Terrance, and let’s get past that 1000 mark!

Steve MacSweeney & the Undocumented Irish in the US

diaspora — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 15:10:28 +0000

“Get The Irish Home For Christmas 2010 Without Fear…”

Steve MacSweeney, originally from Tralee and now living in New York, has started a Facebook page in support of the undocumented Irish in the US. Steve has been actively involved in lobbying and his mission statement on FB reads:

‘My Goal is to stand up and let our voices be heard on immigration and how it effects many great Irish people living in the US who came for a better life.

I support comprehensive immigration reform.

I strongly supported the effort spearheaded by Senators John McCain and Senator Edward Kennedy RIP to achieve comprehensive immigration reform. So lets get the wheels in motion towards achieving a goal we can achieve in 2010.‘

Steve’s Facebook page, as of writing, has over 7500 members and growing, and there’s also a good article at IrishCentral.com.

This is an important subject and it’s great that Steve is helping to keep attention on it. The issue remains close to the heart of many thousands and actions like this ensure the Undocumented Irish stay on the agenda of policy makers rather than getting pushed to one side.

On Facebook? – give Steve your support.

Flights Over Ireland

diaspora — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 14:04:07 +0000

From Amsterdam to Panama flying over Ballydehob, Co.Cork, SW Ireland.
Just popped into the garden, looked up, and there she was!

Couple of additional clicks and…

Slán Abhaile,

Brilliant!

Check it out at FlightRadar24.com (best on Google Chrome and Firefox browsers).

TG4 Web TV

diaspora — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 01:23:05 +0000

Irish Language station TG4 is to re-launch its online television service later this week, providing both live and catch-up programmes (available for one month) to Irish domestic and international viewers.

There are some limitations, such as not having the rights to show movies or programmes with English language content, however the new system will fill those gaps with other content so you’ll always get a live stream of TG4. It will find archived programmes and replace the content seamlessly.

The technology behind the service is also improved on earlier versions, meaning that if you have high-speed Internet the download speed will adapt and you’ll get better quality video.

This is a good step forward and a welcome development for everyone interested in the Irish language, both at home and abroad.

If you’re not already familiar with the service… TG4 WeB TV.