“Ireland Reaching Out” is an organisation established in 2010. Based in South East Galway, its goal is to encourage people of Irish heritage, with links to the local area, to visit and connect with Ireland, through inviting them directly to participate in a cultural and activity week from 26th June to July 2nd, the “Week of Welcomes”. Active local voluntary groups of historians, community activists and organisers are leading the research and collation of local primary genealogical information, and the organisation of the week. Further information can be found here. “Ireland Reaching Out reverses the usual process of tracing your roots”, says founder and Chairperson Mike Feerick, who proposed the idea after the Farmleigh Global Irish Forum in 2009. “We’re facilitating local parishes in Ireland to reach out to those who left and their descendants, and reconnecting with them in a genuinely friendly way. We are looking forward to welcoming the diaspora back home for a week that we know will be an important event in the history of our relationship with the Irish abroad.”
While it’s an opportunity for cultural renewal and discovery, the week will be great fun; highlights include a “This Is Who You Are” Day, where participants learn about Irish history and the local history and heritage of the parish of their ancestors, the “reunion games”, where everyone can play on the parish team, even if your athletic skills stretch only so far as “official commiserator”! You’ll even get to enjoy all the craic as a guest at the “wedding” of Patrick and Siobhan (don’t worry: the dress code is casual and they don’t want any presents!).
Anyone with links to South-East Galway are encouraged to participate in this year’s Week of Welcomes, and those with roots in the rest of Ireland should mark their calendars for the summer of 2012, when the programme will roll out nationwide.
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