The Irish in Australia will not be hosting a government minister this Saint Patrick’s Day. First Secretary Aidan Cronin of the Irish Embassy in Canberra said, “This year, for a variety of reasons, it has not been possible to send a minister to represent the Government. We would expect that there would be ministerial representation… Continue reading Australia celebrates Paddy’s Day – without a government representative
President McAleese pays tribute to emigrant heritage in speech to British Council
President Mary McAleese has paid tribute to Ireland’s emigrants and immigrants in a speech to the British Council, entitled “The Changing Faces of Ireland – Migration and Multiculturalism”. In her speech she noted the contribution of Ireland’s emigrants, from the past through to today: The Irish know better than many other races how valuable the… Continue reading President McAleese pays tribute to emigrant heritage in speech to British Council
Services meet final needs of emigrants
Also on a funereal theme, the Galway Independent is carrying a story on “a mysterious Galway man”, now a New York resident, who has made a most unusual purchase – he has spent $100,000 so that he can be buried under Irish soil in America, where he has spent most of his life. The Independent… Continue reading Services meet final needs of emigrants
Online funerals aimed at far-flung relations
A Belfast firm of undertakers has launched what is reportedly the first online service to allow mourners to view funeral services from abroad, the AP has reported. Clarke & Son say their service came out of requests that tapes of services be sent abroad to far-off relations. “We have one camera to give you the… Continue reading Online funerals aimed at far-flung relations
Politicians to make annual pilgrimage to global Irish communities
This year’s plans for the annual St Patrick’s Day trek by Irish politicians to sundry locales around the world has been announced by the Taoiseach. Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern will visit Washington, DC, where they will celebrate the day at the White House and meet with the President and… Continue reading Politicians to make annual pilgrimage to global Irish communities
An Post stops service aimed at emigrant market, encourages immigrants to write home
An Post says declining emigration is the reason that the postal service will not produce its St Patrick’s Day cards this year. The Irish Independent reports that a spokesperson called the move “a sign of the times”, adding: We introduced the cards in 1984 at a time when emigration was very high in Ireland. Sales… Continue reading An Post stops service aimed at emigrant market, encourages immigrants to write home