Ireland’s diaspora makes a profound contribution to our country
Our diaspora fosters goodwill. It generates economic development. It cherishes and showcases our diverse and dynamic culture.
Wherever our diaspora is, it brings much pride to this country through word, thought, and deeds.
Ireland is committed to recognising and supporting our people abroad. We do this through practical engagement to make a real and lasting difference.
Ireland’s Diaspora Strategy 2020 – 2025
Recognising the need to sustain and renew a meaningful connection with our diaspora, the Government adopted a new strategic approach to supporting our citizens overseas and diaspora networks internationally.
In 2019, the Department of Foreign Affairs undertook wide-ranging public consultations on the future of Ireland’s diaspora policy. This strategy was shaped by contributions from hundreds of individuals and organisations both in Ireland, and in Irish communities around the world.
This strategy reflects the evolving circumstances and needs of the Irish abroad. It sets out a number of guiding principles and initiatives to strengthen the relationship between Ireland and our diaspora .
The influence of Ireland’s beloved poet may be felt around the world but his fame is rooted in his starting point, Queen’s University Belfast. Register now for their free online Seamus Heaney event on Nov 21.
Seamus Heaney (1939-2013) by Tai Shan Schierenberg, 2004 Queen’s University Belfast Art Collection
The Seamus Heaney Centre at Queen’s University Belfast continues the beloved Irish poet’s legacy, giving new writers, critics, and poets a chance to fulfill their literary ambitions.
Each year, the Centre appoints three Seamus Heaney Fellows, writers of distinction in any genre or form. One of its first Fellows was Lisa McGee, the creator of “Derry Girls”. The stage and screenwriter was born in Derry-Londonderry and later attended Queen’s University Belfast to read Drama.
In 1959, while studying at Queen’s University Belfast, Heaney published his first poems in the student Magazines Q and Gorgon, before going on to complete a Diploma in teaching at St Joseph’s College of Education, in Belfast.
He regularly wrote poems and stories under the penname ‘Incertus’ (Latin for ‘Uncertain’). Today, the Seamus Heaney Centre holds an archive featuring the student magazines in which these early poems were published.
Heaney was part of ‘The Group’ poetry workshop, along with luminaries like Philip Hobsbaum, Michael Longley and Bernard Maclaverty. Heaney said: “When I was at Queen’s…. ‘life’ and ‘literature’ were beginning to connect.” Fast forward to 2004 – then a Nobel Prize-winning poet – at the opening of The Seamus Heaney Centre, ‘Burial at Thebes’, Heaney’s version of Sophocles, ‘Antigone’ premiered at The Abbey Theatre in Dublin.
As the University celebrates its 180th anniversary, the sense of a creative community is very much alive and at the heart of Queen’s. The Seamus Heaney Centre – part of the School of Arts, English and Languages – is home to some of the UK and Ireland’s foremost poets, novelists, scriptwriters and critics.
In 2024, the Centre moved to a new landmark building, where Bath Short Story Award winner Connor Donahue recently completed his Graduate Studies in Creative Writing. He had the opportunity to work with David Park, whose novel ‘The Truth Commissioner’ won the Christopher Ewarts-Biggs Memorial Prize, recognizing works that promote peace and reconciliation in Ireland.
Connor, originally from Kansas City, spent a year in Belfast on a Graduate Visa. He said: “The immersion in the writing culture, being surrounded by other aspiring artists as well as extremely accomplished instructors, was very impactful for me. That shared sense of purpose and of wanting to support and promote each other’s progress was especially meaningful.”
Connor added: “The atmosphere at the Seamus Heaney Centre is extremely collaborative, supportive and encouraging. Exactly the type of place where one would want to study or write. There is a pronounced sense of belonging and of shared values and goals. I lived on Mount Charles, just behind the new center, and the updated facilities are incredible.”
Just a short walk from Queen’s University Belfast’s iconic Lanyon building, the Seamus Heaney Centre boasts a large venue space, scriptorium, offices, and creative spaces for students and staff. There is also a public exhibition area that displays the Seamus Heaney Archive held by Queen’s.
The Seamus Heaney Centre focuses on all aspects of writing craft and criticism, feeding into the wider reach of English Literature studies at Queen’s. Postgraduate courses lead the way in creative writing, poetry, and English literary studies teaching and practice, including Graduate Studies and PhD programs in English Literature, Poetry, and Creative Writing.
The Centre benefits from being part of a wider interdisciplinary school, bringing together studies in drama, film, music, and languages. Part of a worldwide network of writers and critics, the Centre supports the development of creative and interdisciplinary collaborations and hosts readings and performances throughout the year. Most of all, it’s a place for writers and poets to flourish alongside a global network of alumni and friends.
As part of the Centre’s ongoing commitment to engagement, join us for a one-off, free online event that will feature performed readings from Seamus O’Hara, a Queen’s University Belfast Drama graduate, and star of the Academy Award-winning short film “An Irish Goodbye”.
This event is an ideal opportunity for those interested in Graduate Studies in English or other programs offered at Queen’s University Belfast, or for those who would like to become more connected to the Centre and join a global network of Alumni and friends, including Seamus Heaney Centre events in the US. Register for this free event here.
for Women with Ambition Entrepreneur Expo in New York this weekend
Shop an incredible range of Irish and American female-led brands, learn about their stories, and support small female enterprises at the Women with Ambition event in NYC this Saturday, November 16.
The Women with Ambition Female Founder & Entrepreneur Expo returns to NYC on Saturday, November 16. Women with Ambition
Don’t miss the Women with Ambition Female Founder & Entrepreneur Expo this Saturday in New York City!
Following a hugely successful first-ever event last year, Women with Ambition are returning with their second annual Female Founder & Entrepreneur Expo this Saturday, November 16 in the Bryant Park Hotel, overlooking the famous Bryant Park and Winter Village Christmas Market.
With over 30 female-led brands attending, browse and shop their products and services, learn about their brand and mission, and support small female enterprises. You will have a diverse range of brands to explore – ranging from clothing and jewelry to beauty and professional services, and so much more!
Included in your ticket is access to both floors of the WWA Expo, exclusive discounts, specials, and mini consultations from our female founders, and a gift bag for the first 100 tickets sold thanks to Cloud 10 Beauty!
Tickets for the event will be time staggered to enable crowd control and to let you enjoy the best experience possible during this curated shopping event.
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WWA Female Entrepreneurs & Founders Expo 2024
Here are just SOME of the brands that will be there on the day…
Valentia Island Vermouth: Anna and Orla O’Carroll are the wife and wife team, proudly making Ireland’s first vermouth on Valentia Island off the coast of Co. Kerry. This award-winning, handcrafted vermouth uses twenty botanicals including gorse from the island.
Katie Daly’s Ireland: An Ireland destination specialist that captures Ireland, its people, and its experiences, in carefully hand-crafted, custom-made unique tours for individuals and small groups.
OghamArt.com: Owners Christopher and Colleen Conway create unique Irish gifts featuring the ancient Irish alphabet of Ogham.
Anam Craft Marketplace: A trusted Celtic Wholesale Marketplace where USA and Canadian retailers can connect with authentic Celtic artisan from Ireland, Scotland, and the Celtic Nations.
Siobhán Kiernan Designs: Inspired by nature, history, travel, and film, Siobhán Kiernan creates unique handmade jewelry and we are pleased to share her passion for art and jewelry with you.
SBB Collection: Created by Caroline Wilkins from Cork, SBB The Collection pieces are developed from scratch starting with a block of wax, sheets of metal, or metal wire. Molded to create stories around different subjects such as social issues, the female body, sensuality, sexuality, mental health, and connection, each with their own unique meaning.
Aqua Terra Boat Tours: Co-founded by Elizabeth McCooey, and set against the stunning backdrop of Valentia Island on the iconic Ring of Kerry, Aqua Terra redefines luxury boating with exclusive and bespoke adventures. Aqua Terra’s meticulously crafted tours unveil the enchanting coastline and captivating Skellig Coast. With state of the art custom built boats, Aqua Terra prioritizes sustainability to protect Ireland’s breathtaking ecosystems and wildlife.
… and many more!https://www.instagram.com/p/DBuxMfsMZ2J/embed/captioned/?cr=1&v=14&wp=537&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishcentral.com&rp=%2Fevents%2Fwomen-with-ambition-event-tickets-new-york#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A1543.2999999998137%2C%22ls%22%3A307.89999999990687%2C%22le%22%3A708.8999999999069%7D
Who is Women with Ambition?
Women with Ambition is a professional network of Irish and Irish-American women working and living in New York and the Tri-State area.
They provide a space for women of all industries to huddle together to connect more deeply, form a meaningful network, and take some time to focus on intentional self-development—all while supporting and celebrating each other as we strive for our individual career goals, successes, and ambitions.
Their offerings include an intimate six-month peer mentorship program, large networking events with panels of speakers from diverse industries, and opportunities to learn from expert guest speakers through their special “Speaker Series” workshops and unique “Education Series” workshops.
This year’s Women with Ambition Female Founder & Entrepreneur Expo is proudly sponsored by Options Technology with generous funding from the Irish Government’s Emigrant Support Programme for Irish Diaspora and support from Invest Northern Ireland and Bank of Ireland.
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WWA Female Entrepreneurs & Founders Expo 2024.
IrishCentral is a proud media partner with Women with Ambition. To find out more information about Women with Ambition, click here. You can also follow them on Facebook.
Cooking for Halloween? Try out these traditional Irish recipes before diving into your candy! Getty Images
These Irish Halloween recipes are centuries old, but are still wholesome and delicious for all your spooky costumed party monsters!
Hosting a Halloween party? You’ll have to get some real food into your guests’ bellies before diving into all that candy!
Check out these traditional Irish recipes for Halloween:
Irish Colcannon recipe for Halloween
This tasty dish is a popular favorite at Oíche Shamhna (Halloween) and is easy to make, especially with the kids. The word colcannon is from the Irish cal ceannan, which literally means “white-headed cabbage.”
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In the past, as is done with barmbrack, charms were mixed into the colcannon. Charms found were seen as a portent for the future. A button meant you would remain a bachelor, and a thimble meant you would remain a spinster for the coming year. A ring meant you would get married, and a coin meant you would come into wealth.
Some women filled their socks with colcannon and hung them from the handle of the front door in the belief that the first man through the door would become their future husband.
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Colcannon (Getty Images)
Colcannon Ingredients:
4 lbs potatoes, or about 7-8 large potatoes (‘old’ potatoes or russet potatoes are best, waxy potatoes won’t do)
1 green cabbage or Kale
1 cup milk or cream
1 stick of butter, divided into three parts
4-5 scallions (green onions), chopped
Salt and Pepper
Fresh Parsley or chives *Not everyone adds scallions to colcannon, but they are worth having, in my opinion.
How to make Colcannon:
Peel and boil the potatoes. Remove the core from the cabbage, slice it thinly, and place into a large saucepan. Cover with boiling water and keep at a slow rolling boil until the cabbage is just wilted and has turned a darker green. This can take between 3-5 minutes, depending on the cabbage. Test it and don’t let it overcook. If anything, it should be slightly undercooked.
When the cabbage is cooked, drain it well and squeeze to get any excess moisture out, then return to the saucepan.
Add one-third of the butter and cover. Leave it covered and in a warm place, but not on a burner, with the butter melting gently into it while you continue.
When the potatoes are soft, drain, and then return to the saucepan with the drained potatoes in. Put burner to low, leaving the lid off so that any excess moisture can evaporate.
When they are perfectly dry, add the milk to the saucepan along with a third of the butter and the chopped scallions (if you are using them). Allow the milk to warm but not boil – it is about right when the butter has fully melted into it and it starts to steam.
With a potato masher or a fork, mash the potatoes thoroughly into the butter/milk mixture. Do NOT pass through a ricer or, worse, beat in a mixer as it will make the potatoes gluey and disgusting.
Mix the cabbage thoroughly through the mashed potato.
Before serving, season with a pinch of salt and sprinkle with fresh parsley or chives. Most importantly, make a well in the center of the mound of potato and put the last third of the butter in there to melt.
Irish Barmbrack recipe for Halloween
In the weeks leading up to Halloween, homes are littered with the delicious treat known as barmbrack, which is an Irish fruit loaf. The title comes from the Irish ‘bairín breac’ which literally means ‘speckled loaf.’
Traditionally in Ireland, each member of the family would get a slice of the cake. But you had to be careful when chewing the delicious treat, as there were several charms hidden inside, wrapped in baking paper, which signified omens for the finder’s future.
If you found a ring, you’re in for some romance. If you got the coin, then you’re in for a prosperous year, but if you found the rag then your financial future was in doubt. If you find the thimble, then you will never marry! Nowadays, all barmbracks sold in Irish shops around Halloween contain a ring.
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Halloween Barmbrack (Getty Images)
Barmbrack Ingredients:
375g dried fruit
300ml cold tea
225g self-raising flour
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon mixed spice
125g caster sugar
Honey or Golden Syrup (optional – for decoration)
How to make Barmbrack:
Soak the fruit in tea overnight, then drain. Mix together with the rest of the ingredients (apart from the honey/golden syrup) and stir in the charms. Don’t over knead the dough or your delicately re-hydrated fruit will break up.
Line the base of a 20cm round cake tin or 900g loaf tin with greaseproof paper. Grease the tin and pile in the mixture.
Bake in a pre-heated oven at 340F for about an hour until risen and firm to the touch.
You can brush melted honey or golden syrup over the brack before cutting. Or glaze the ‘brack with a syrup made from two teaspoons of sugar dissolved in three teaspoons of boiling w
