Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development Ciaran Cannon has announced the launch of the new Global Irish Festival Series, a joint initiative between the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Fáilte Ireland, which aims to encourage Ireland's diaspora to make a return visit to their homeland.
Commenting on the Global Irish Festival Series, Cannon said, “We are delighted to announce the new Global Irish Festival Series, an initiative which will enable local communities to further build upon diaspora networks, deepening connections around the world and encouraging those abroad to return home. By improving engagement with the diaspora through new channels, we hope they will feel affirmed and valued as a part of the global Irish diaspora, and in particular, connected to the county of their heritage.”
Piloting Events
The new festival series will provide funding and support through the relevant local authorities to local and community event organisers for events which tap into international diaspora networks to increase overseas visitors. The Global Irish Festival Series will be piloted along the Wild Atlantic Way in Limerick and Donegal this October, with €210,000 in funding from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade granted for the four festivals and events in these areas.
In Limerick, the Global Irish Festival Series is supporting I.NY which runs from October 7 - 14, exploring the connection between Ireland and New York City, and the Richard Harris International Film Festival which takes place from October 25 - 29, marking the life and works of the famous Limerick actor. In Donegal, the initiative is supporting a Genealogy and Traditional Music Weekend which runs from October 20 - 21, remembering Irish ancestors who travelled to Scotland to work in the twentieth century, and an Inter-generational Sporting Weekend which takes place from October 27 - 28, celebrating Donegal’s connection with football.
The Global Irish Festival Series is also being launched in the US this September at the Consulate General of Ireland in New York in partnership with Tourism Ireland.
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