Author: Noreen Bowden

The number of recruits from the Republic of Ireland joining the British army has doubled in the last year, according to the Belfast Newsletter. The paper says that Irish citizens now make up 10.5% of recruits. The paper features a 23-year-old Kilkenny carpenter who said that he had been getting restless. Although he had been… Continue reading Irish recruits to British army increasing

The Milwaukee Irish Fest, the world’s largest celebration of Irish music and culture, takes place this month. The festival is taking place from August 14 to 17, and over those four days more than 100 acts will take to the 16 stages. This year’s theme is Galway, and many Galway musicians, including the Saw Doctors,… Continue reading Milwaukee Irish Fest: August 14-17

Canon Stephen Ludden, a Castlebar priest who worked to forge strong links between the town and its emigrants, has died at the age of 80. The Mayo News reports that Fr Ludden cultivated links between the Castlebar Associations in London, Birmingham and elsewhere. Johnny Mee, a friend and Castlebar Labour councillor said, “He was a… Continue reading Priest who forged emigrant links dies

An article on immigrants to New Zealand features the experience of Sam Hill, an Irish woman who says she fell in love with the people and country of New Zealand after travelling there on a whim with a friend. After three months, she realised she had fallen in love with the people and the country… Continue reading Laid-back New Zealand inspires Irish woman to stay

RTE’s new television service for the Irish community in Britain, RTE International, will cost €3 million a year, according to an article in the Sunday Business Post. The money will come out of existing TV resources. The newspaper reports that the national broadcaster fears that it will only break even this year, after a surplus… Continue reading TV service to Britain to cost €3 million a year