It was heartbreaking to watch the Twitter feed while listening to last week’s budget speech from Finance Minister Brian Lenihan. In the last decade, the government has done so much to redress the omissions of the past regarding Ireland’s relationship with the diaspora. Since the publication of the Task Force Report on Policy Regarding Emigration… Continue reading The budget, young people and emigration: the word from Twitter
NY to get Irish Arts Center with €2.3 million grant
New York will get a major new Irish landmark, with the announcement today that Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin has granted€2.3 million for the construction of an Irish Arts Centre in Manhattan. The press release from the Department of Foreign Affairs said: The Minister said one of the main themes to emerge from the… Continue reading NY to get Irish Arts Center with €2.3 million grant
Are the Welsh jealous of our diaspora?
A group of representatives from Welsh cultural institutions say that Wales should use Ireland as a model for promoting Welsh culture – but note that the power of the Irish diaspora gives Ireland a big head start. Wales Online reports that experts from the National Museum of Wales, Arts Council of Wales, Welsh National Opera,… Continue reading Are the Welsh jealous of our diaspora?
Work starts on Global Irish Economic Forum idea
One idea from the Global Irish Economic Forum has apparently been initiated by Gibralter-based businessman Dermot Desmond. The Irish Times reported over the weekend that Desmond had invited over 160 high-profile people from the arts, business and academia to give inputs into the formation of a global university for the arts. The idea behind the… Continue reading Work starts on Global Irish Economic Forum idea
Will emigration lead us down economic vortex?
In Ireland, it’s probably most common to think of emigration as an economic release valve. It lowers the unemployment rate, cuts the costs of social welfare, and siphons off the kind of economic pressure that in other societies might result in popular revolt. Historically, emigration is seen as a result of our poor economic situation,… Continue reading Will emigration lead us down economic vortex?
Emigration pageant for Derry City of Culture bid?
An interesting emigration-themed idea proposed for Derry’s bid to become the UK City of Culture in 2013: From Shore to Shore: A specially-commissioned pageant focussing on arriving planters and departing emigrants, to be performed (May-June) on some of the north-west’s most picturesque beaches from Hervey’s Downhill to Red Hugh’s Rathmullan. This would feature the stories… Continue reading Emigration pageant for Derry City of Culture bid?