Just who are the ‘Gaeltacht Diaspora? This is the question being discussed in a new series of podcasts created by Ionad Diaspora na Gaeltachta in conjunction with MeasMedia and Údarás na Gaeltachta. The podcasts will be broadcast on Spotify, Google Play and Youtube channels in the coming months.
A conversation with Professor Emeritus, Kerby Miller, will be broadcast in the first edition of the series, available from today. Miller has gained fame for his research on migration from Ireland to America in the nineteenth century. Kerby talks about Tom Brick’s story — a Dingle man who travelled to the Prairies in North Dakota.
This series is not only about history — it touches on members of today’s diaspora — those who emigrated from the Gaeltacht many years ago and are now living in Boston, Philadelphia, London, Sydney and elsewhere, but also people of Irish descent living around the world.
The Diaspora na Gaeltachta project is an integral part of Údarás na Gaeltachta’s 2021-2025 Strategy. There is a strong Gaeltacht diaspora worldwide and has significant value in terms of networking, attracting people home, investment and more. In 2021, Ionad Diaspora na Gaeltachta was established in conjunction with Ionad Cuimhneachán na nImirceach in Carna, creating a direct link to the Gaeltacht Diaspora and this series of podcasts is central to the work being done in the Centre to share the story of the Gaeltacht Diaspora.
Chairman of Ionad Cuimhneachán na nImirceach, Máirtín Ó Catháín said Ionad na Cuimhneachán na nImirceach welcomes this initiative.
“It is a great example of collaboration between the Ionad and Údarás na Gaeltachta in regard to the Diaspora na Gaeltachta project.”
Údarás na Gaeltachta Chief Executive, Mícheál Ó hÉanaigh said they are delighted that this is now available on these particular channels. This series will tell the story of the Gaeltacht to the diaspora itself, and it will foster a stronger link between the diaspora and the area — which is very important.”
The series will consist of twelve editions — part in Irish, English and indeed bilingually.
