Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will meet with some of the 1,000 Irish expats living in Saudi Arabia during his visit there this week, according to the Irish Times. Mr Ahern is making an official visit, accompanied by about 170 people on a business delegation organised by Enterprise Ireland. The group, which will also go to Dubai,… Continue reading Trade delegation to include visit with expats
Enterprise the answer for older car renters?
Maximum age limits on car rentals can be a major impediment to older emigrants who would like to return home for a visit, Sheila Gleeson of the Coalition for Irish Immmigration Centers in the US has told your correspondent. Éan has done some research on this, and it seems that this type of discrimination is… Continue reading Enterprise the answer for older car renters?
Flight of the Earls commemorated
The four-hundredth anniversary of the Flight of the Earls, one of the seminal events in the early history of emigration from Ireland is being commemorated this year. The Flight of the Earls, of course, marked the end of the old Gaelic aristocracy. Hugh O’Neill and Rory O’Donnell, fearing arrest by the new Lord Deputy of… Continue reading Flight of the Earls commemorated
Broadcasting Bill would require provision for emigrants
The Oireachtas Communications Committee has been holding public hearings over the last two days over the proposed Broadcasting Bill. Of interest to emigrants is the section of the bill that would require RTÉ to provide TV to Irish communities abroad; the legislation allows for the use of license funding for this purpose. The programming would… Continue reading Broadcasting Bill would require provision for emigrants
Hopes for reform rise as Congress resumes
As US Congress resumes its work this week, New York’s Irish Echo says that expectations are rising that that the Senate will pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill by spring. Ray O’Hanlon says a Senate bill on the issue, written by Senator Edward Kennedy and Senator John McCain, is slated for unveiling in January; a… Continue reading Hopes for reform rise as Congress resumes
Golf tournament to benefit Irish in Britain
A major golf tournament in Ireland next year will benefit elderly Irish in Britain. The Safe Start Agency is joining with the Union of Irish Golf Societies and the Irish Post newspaper for a tournament that will involve 250 teams playing a championship course in each of the four provinces. Monies raised will go toward… Continue reading Golf tournament to benefit Irish in Britain