If you’re not aware of The Ireland Funds read on to get to know about them…
They are a charitable organisation operating in 12 countries that has raised over $300 million for worthy causes. Founded in Pittsburgh in 1976, they manage over 100 events annually in 39 cities around the world making them one of the largest global organisations helping Ireland.
Extremely well versed in the area of diaspora philanthropy they have funded over 1,200 organisations in Ireland and beyond, and as a thought leader in the area of diaspora engagement are actively contributing to the body of knowledge in the field of diaspora studies.
Their mission is ‘to be the largest worldwide network of people of Irish ancestry and friends of Ireland dedicated to raising funds to support programs of peace and reconciliation, arts and culture, education and community development throughout the island of Ireland’.
They are a highly effective organisation that are at the heart of great projects such as this.
‘A Comparative Review of International Diaspora Strategies’ is the title of their new report, and it is an in-depth study of strategies from other countries, most notably Israel and India. The report provides guidance and recommendations on how Ireland can best engage with its diaspora in the 21st century.
The timing coincides with the Global Irish Economic Forum to be held in Farmleigh this coming week-end (18th – 19th September), and given The Ireland Funds wealth of knowledge the guest list would do well to have a copy in their hands.
I was going to try and summarise the report whilst trying to reflect its excellence, but it’s hard to do this and still do it justice. The document is approximately 100 pages in length, and the depth it goes into makes each of the sections highly informative. There is a focus on economics and mutual benefit, but it also keeps sight of cultural ties and Irelands relationship with its diaspora at a broader level.
You can download the report here, and i’ve included the contents below to give you an idea of the scope:
Section 1 Background to diaspora strategies Defining diaspora: common trends and recent developments
Section 2 Ireland’s current context The Smart Economy – a role for the diaspora?
Section 3 Ireland and its diaspora A long history of migration Capturing the Irish diaspora: extended citizenship The diversity of our diaspora Examining and redefining the relationship A diffuse and diverse national asset Where can the diaspora help?
Section 4 Key lessons from other countries
Section 5 International diaspora initiatives Developments in diaspora engagement: a comparative review of strategies and initiatives Research and data Capital flows – remittances Capital flows – bonds Capital flows – philanthropy Capital flows – foreign direct investment Capital flows – venture capital and support for indigenous industry Diaspora knowledge networks Importance of educational exchange Visits to the homeland Engaging various generations Recognition and awards
Section 6 Differing roles of government
Section 7 Culture matters
Section 8 Global best practices: conclusions for Ireland
You’ll need to put aside a bit of time, but if this is an area that interests you it’s well worth the read. And well done to The Ireland Funds for producing the report – it will be a fantastic development if the relevant parties take it on board, and incorporate it into a plan of action.
and definitely no overnight sensation, listen to Susan singing beautifully back in 1999…
'I Dreamed A Dream'
Susans first album ‘I Dreamed A Dream’ is due for release on November 24th, but is already leading the online-retail charts with preorders near the topspot on Amazon. It’s available at $9.99 and if you’d like to order a copy you can click on her link below:
Nice one Susan, congratulations on the album and we can’t wait to hear all the tracks:
1. Wild Horses 2. I Dreamed A Dream 3. Cry Me A River 4. How Great Thou Art 5. You’ll See 6. Daydream Believer 7. Up To The Mountain 8. Amazing Grace 9. Who I Was Born To Be 10. Proud 11. The End of The World
Hasbro, makers of the board game Monopoly, have been in Waterford for nearly 30 years and each year roughly 1.5 million boxes get shipped to 26 countries around the world.
The set we used to play with as kids was in the old red and white box, like the one on the right here with the frayed edges! but over the years you’d see all types of variations to appeal to new generations.
We had hours of fun trying to buy the hotspots, and gloating like smug brats if you managed to stick up a hotel or two on the ‘prime locations’. For some reason I liked getting the stations – must be the train buff in me! It was one of those games that you either loved or hated, and i’m sure many budding property developers spent their early days trying to get one over on their friends and family competitors!
Monopoly Online
It’s the 21st century, Monopoly has evolved, and now you can play the game online – it looks like good fun as well. The makers have linked up with Google to produce a Google Maps version and you choose what road you’d like to buy. You then compete with every other player on the board which basically means it’s global!
Starting with 3 million Monopoly dollars you can build not only hotels and houses but also football stadiums, castles and skyscrapers. If inclined you can also sabotage neighbouring rivals by building rubbish dumps, prisons or wind farms on their property to reduce the rent value of their assets! The game ends on January 31st, 2010.
Monopoly Online
Now I don’t know if it’s just me but isn’t there a whole load of irony here – especially from an Irish perspective! The only difference I can see is that when we were kids we used to make up our own rules, like agreeing with each other we could borrow from the bank when we pleased, or lending money to our mates to get them out of a sticky corner! Here you have to stick to the rules of the game!
I also can’t help looking at the helicopter heading out on the site’s home page, and wondering if it’s loaded with Irish property developers fleeing the fire! I havn’t got into the online game yet (the site is under pressure) but am also keen to see if there’s a ‘NAMA get out of jail’ card if you find yourself in the proverbial!
Oh i could go on, but maybe it’s best to finish by letting the big boys know that they can relive ‘the good old days’ at monopolycitystreets.com!
(Oh, and bagsy Ballydehob Main St if the creators would only include it – it is a goldmine!)
Take a few moments to read about the Irish in Gaza…
I wrote previously about Derek and Jenny Graham and their voyage to Gaza, and how they were trying to bring attention to the suffering in the region.
Jenny wrote back to us recently with an update on the last journey, their new plans, and a call for help…
The Spirit of Humanity
“Our last boat, the Spirit of Humanity, was intercepted in international waters by the Israeli army in late June this year, and boarded after being surrounded by 5 gunships, Zodiacs, and an F16.
All onboard were held in detention accused of entering Israel illegally, even though they dragged us handcuffed and at gunpoint to Israel! We had 2 Irish citizens on board, Derek Graham and Mairead Mcguire, a nobel peace prize laureate.”
“This of course did not deter us and we are preparing to sail again. This time we hope to run a convoy from different countries travelling together. Our vessel, and the one we need support for, is an Irish boat travelling from Ireland.
We will have Irish politicians from both sides of the border and Irish musicians on board. The musicians will record an album on the journey, and once in Gaza we will invite Palestinian musicians to add their own music. We will then release the album to the public to get the plight of the Palestinians out there.
We, FreeGaza Ireland, are a small bunch of regular folk, absolutely nothing special and we need help. We don’t have much time, the weather is against us, and it is already almost a year since the invasion on Gaza. Although 5 billion has been pledged in the reconstruction of Gaza not one penny has actually been spent.”
Gaza Siege
Jenny and Derek are desperately trying to help publicise the fact that the crossings into Gaza need to be opened, and that unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid and reconstruction materials is critical. The more publicity they get from the journey the better the chance of the siege being lifted.
Whatever your politics it’s hard to deny this is a just and worthwhile cause, and to keep up the momentum they need financial support. The venture is funded from donations and if you’re in a position to help they would obviously very much appreciate it. They have a Paypal donation link on their home page if you’d like to make an individual contribution.
Fund-raising events are also particularly effective as they get the message out to more people, and if it’s practical Jenny has told us they would be pleased to help in any way possible for anyone organising an event – so get your thinking hats on! (Jenny and Graham will be back in Ireland for the next two months, but would also be very grateful of support from our Irish further afield if you’re in a position to do something).
There are plenty of disturbing images from Gaza, but maybe we should finish on a more positive and hopeful note – a video that shows you the nature of the people, some hints of the hardships and losses, and a sense of what life could be like if it’s allowed to return to normal…
Well done guys, and all who are able to support, and everyone else involved in trying to bring visibility and resolution to this catastrophe.
Pittsburgh has a long Irish history dating back to the 18th century when the first settlers arrived from Scotland and Ireland. These early immigrants were mainly Presbyterian Scotch-Irish, a wild bunch that were at the heart of the 1794 whisky rebellion! and who over time also founded the University of Pittsburgh and some of the regions best known colleges.
The early 1800′s saw the arrival of Irish Catholics, and in 1808 these immigrants built St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in the Strip District. The Great Irish Potato Famine resulted in Allegheny County’s Irish population doubling over a ten year period, most however arriving from prosperous areas such as Ulster. The Sister’s of Mercy were also present and made many important contributions to Pittsburgh’s heritage including St. Paul’s Cathedral, Carlow College and Mercy Hospital.
Irish from other parts of the U.S. also ended up in Pittsburgh while working on the Ohio & Pennsylvania Railroad and the Ohio Canal, and stayed as dockhands or in the coal fields.
During 1890, more immigrants arrived and settled primarily at the Point in downtown Pittsburgh. An entire community of Irish sprung up around the old Fort Pitt Blockhouse, calling themselves “Little Ireland.” Other Irish communities grew in the South Side, Strip District, North Side, Oakland and Lawrenceville. Crowded and poor, groups such as the Ancient Order of Hiberians eventually helped to change people’s attitudes and conditions improved. In 1940 Pittsburgh was to have its first in a long line of Irish mayors.
In the 2000 census Pittsbugh city recorded a polulation of 334,563 with nearly 16% (almost 53,000) claiming Irish ancestry. The community is alive and vibrant and is proud of its Irish heritage.
PITTSBURGH IRISH FESTIVAL
The 19th annual Pittsburgh Irish Festival kicks off this Friday, Sept 11th, and runs through to Sunday the 13th. All the fun and festivities will be at the Riverplex at Sandcastle near the Waterfront in West Homestead / Pittsburgh.
The organisers have a fantastic line up of events and live music, and the schedule is packed with entertainment.
Pittsburgh has a great record of celebrating its Irish heritage, and this has become one of America’s finest Irish festivals. It’s well worth reading the background story to get an appreciation of the festival’s history, and the important part it plays in Pittsburgh life throughout the year.
Well done guys, slainte, and we hope you have a really great time.
If you have a story to tell, launched a new business, got an initiative off the ground, or just have some good news with an inspirational nature let us know and we'll pass it on.
Hasbro, makers of the board game Monopoly, have been in Waterford for nearly 30 years and each year roughly 1.5 million boxes get shipped to 26 countries around the world.
