An Irish Christmas in

An Irish Christmas in Europe

At this seasonal time, hundreds of thousands of Irish from across the globe ‘Return’ to Ireland for Christmas.

“Being at home for Christmas” – Once family and other work commitments take root in their new found homes in nations across the world, Returning to Ireland becomes less of a ritual priority, at least not as an annual event. Christmas time in one’s own home becomes as important to their own children as it was to them when they were young. It has a new meaning- Being at home for Christmas!

This Christmas millions of Irish will be based across Europe , many with their own families, many with partners – Irish / non-Irish, many on their own for one reason or another.

There are families based in Ireland, which have their Dads, husbands and sons and daughters based across Europe with the Irish Defence Forces. To you all we salute you as you protect not only Irish Aid workers but the most vulnerable in Albania, Macedonia, Russia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Georgia, Kosovo , Serbia & Montenegro, and the WEU in Belgium .

Wherever you are based we hope you can find peace this Christmas.

The Irish Defence Forces are not the only Irish supporting the needy across parts of Europe . Irish Volunteers and fundraisers, charity & aid workers have donated their time and effort, their Christmas and for many – their entire lives, to help the plight of others. This Christmas let us all acknowledge their tremendous work:

In Ukraine, Russia and Belarus by Chernobyl Children’s Project -

Effect real change in the Chernobyl-affected areas harnessing the unique spirit of volunteerism that permeates every level of the organisation. … wish to develop, facilitate and effect long-term sustainable community-based solutions, providing effective principled humanitarian assistance while advocating for the rights of the victims and survivors of the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster.

Concern’s work overseas, in Kosovo

supporting Community Development: Income, Conflict Management, Back to School, Minorities Roma/Egyptian

and in Serbia ,

Winter Support Minorities, Helping the Disabled and their families, Basic Necessities, Building Skills

GOAL in Serbia

successfully completed its operations in Serbia on October 16th 2003 . The work that GOAL has carried out in southern Serbia has laid the foundation for development of food agricultural industries.

Goal in Kosovo –

Creating emergency shelters for an estimated 2,000 people.
•Renovating 22 major primary schools that cater to over 22,000 students
•Winterizing more than 300 private houses
•Rehabilitating 420 houses destroyed during the war
•Repairing over 2,500 tractors and combine harvesters to revitalize essential agricultural activities.

and in Bosnia-Herzegovina

•Since 1996, GOAL has helped rebuild over 600 family homes and schools which were damaged or destroyed during 4 years of war.
•GOAL has been the leader in implementing minority return projects in Eastern Bosnia
GOAL is currently facilitating an integrated project involving the reconstruction of 75 houses for Bosniac and Serb families, provision of a connection to the electrical supply and renovation of Popov Most Primary School.

GOAL also has Irish fundraising volunteers in France , Austria , Czech Republic and Poland .

Outreach Moldova , Outreach Moldova and Hincesti Orphanage

300 disabled orphaned children in the Republic of Moldova in Eastern Europe .
a non-profit organization and all Irish staff working both in Ireland and Moldova do so on a voluntary basis. We have 2 full time Irish administrators living in the orphanage to oversee all work carried out by both local staff and Irish volunteers.

The Romanian Appeal Challenge

Supported by Daniel O'Donnell
Farm Project: Chickens (500), Fruit Trees (400), Building skills to renovate old farm buildings to accommodate the farm equipment, and build block walls.

STORM:which encourages young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to share their experiences and learn new skills

Emmanuel House- huge improvement in our profoundly disabled children
Our HOMES: Kincasslagh and Neptune

Trocaire have projects in Albania, Kosovo, Romania, Serbia,Turkey and Ukraine.
Albania

In Albania , Trócaire worked to provide minimum living conditions for internally displaced people and families who once suffered politically persecution. Trócaire is implementing long-term recovery activities such as housing rehabilitation in Albania , human rights education and promotion a well as community development.

Kosovo

Health education and training for women in marginalised communities in Kosovo was also funded as well as vocational training for internally displaced and single mothers.

Romania

Provision of capacity building support to Caritas Romania

Serbia

A large programme in Serbia supported by Trócaire was the provision of food, firewood and stoves for vulnerable displaced people and refugee families.

Turkey

In Turkey , thousands of people are still rebuilding their lives in the aftermath of the 1999 earthquake
Trócaire was involved in the rehabilitation of a primary school and activity centre in the earthquake zone.

Ukraine

Establishment of a medical and social centre for the treatment of HIV/AIDS infected children and provision of support to their families.

We at EuropeanIrish are grateful and thankful that the Europe ( & the world ) is a better and safer place because of you all. You make up a vital ingredient and part of the European Irish.

Irish Communities, Groups & Societies.

It is difficult to put an exact figure on the Irish citizenship based across Continental Europe. Some countries have a requirement to be registered with the local Irish Embassy, but most European governments have no such requirement. So while the Irish Embassy in Madrid 5 years ago gave an official figure of 15,000 Irish in Spain , today there is an unofficial more realistic figure of c 30,000. And Irish people make 700.000 trips each year to Spain .

While the Irish population in Continental Europe is c250,000-500,000, there are estimated 2.8 million first, second and third generation Irish based there. The interest in Irish Music, Irish Sports, Irish Dancing, Irish Cultural and Irish Literature is phenomenal, with an estimated 5 million people with active interests in Irish Culture, Music or Sport. For example, Poland ’s Irish Embassy has confirmed that while there are approx. 500 Irish residents in the country, there are between 50,000 & 100,000 people involved in the Irish music, dancing and cultural scene. Italy with an estimated Irish population of 2000 to 5000, has a website, receiving 100,000 regular visitors – all content is just in Italian, and is mostly covering Irish Music & Culture in Italy. Similar explosions of interest in Irish culture exist across Europe , from the new Irish Centre opened this year in Istanbul Turkey , to more than 650 Irish Pubs found across Germany , to the strength of Irish Dancing in Scandinavia .

30,000 Irish live in Benelux countries of Luxembourg , Netherlands , and Belgium . More than 3/4 Million enjoy Belgium 's Holland 's and Luxembourg 's rich Irish Music, Irish Cultural and Irish Sport scene. The region has Irish Clubs, Societies and Associations, Irish Theatre Groups, Irish & Celtic Studies Centres, and James Joyce Groups.
Its 200+ Irish Bars have regular live Irish Music, as well as live Irish Sports coverage - GAA, Soccer and Rugby . As well as Irish Dancing Schools & Groups, the region has a huge catalogue of local Irish music bands, and festivals. It also boasts Irish Soccer Clubs, Rugby , Darts, Badminton and GAA Clubs here, as well as Irish Golf Societies.

30,000 Irish live in mainland Spain , another 15,000 Irish reside in Portugal , Andorra and Gibraltar and on the Balearic and Canary Islands . More than 3/4 Million enjoy Iberia's Irish Music, Irish Cultural and Irish Sport scene. The region is not short of Irish Societies and Associations, you can Study Irish & Celtic Courses in Spain or Portugal.
Did you know there's an Irish Dominican parish in Portugal ? Many of the 165+ Irish Pubs have regular live Irish Music, as well as live Irish Sports coverage - GAA, Soccer and Rugby.There is no shortage of Iberian Irish Music Bands, Irish Dancing Schools and Groups, and Irish & Celtic Music Festivals. There is an Irish Darts League in Madrid . Play Gaelic Football in Barcelona , Madrid , Mallaga, or in Tenerife and you could watch The All-Ireland in Mallorca , and even find the Celtic Supporters Club in Gibraltar .

15,000 Irish live in Austria , Italy , Liechtenstein , Malta , Monaco , San Marino , Slovenia , Switzerland , and the Vatican or in Mid-South Europe. Almost a Million enjoy Mid-South Europe's vibrant Irish Music, Irish Cultural and Irish Sport scene. Its 300 or so Irish Pubs feature regular live Irish Music, Quiz nights and many feature Irish Sports. Irish Clubs, Societies and Associations arrange many activities for the integrated Irish communities, and the strong Irish Cultural and Literature following here. There are Irish & Celtic Study Courses and Centres. You’ll find the Mediterranean Centre for Irish Studies here. There are local Irish Music Bands, Irish Dancing Schools and Groups, organising special Irish Music & Dance nights and Irish & Celtic Music Festivals. We find Irish playing here with local Soccer, Rugby , Darts and GAA Clubs here; quite often these clubs are set-up by those in the Irish communities here.

While Approx. 5,000 Irish live in Central Europe , it is a stronghold for Irish Music & Dancing in Europe , especially in Hungary , Poland and Czech Republic , with more than 150,000 regular visitors to Celtic Music, Irish Music, Irish Dancing, and Irish Culture websites based there, a region with more than 100 Irish music bands, Irish Dancing Schools and Irish/Celtic Festivals. The Slovak Irish have a dedicated Newspaper published regularly. There are more than 60 Irish Pubs in the Poland , Slovakia , Hungary , Croatia , Czech Republic , Bosnia-Hertzegonia, Kosovo , Serbia & Montenegro , Albania , one with an Irish Golf society, one with a Rugby Club, others with dart and soccer clubs. The first ever GAA club was inaugurated in the region earlier this year. Irish Charity groups also have centres and communities based here, as outlined above.

6,000 Irish live in East Europe - Armenia , Azerbaijan , Belarus , Bulgaria , Cyprus , Georgia , Greece , Israel , Macedonia , Moldova , Romania , Russia , Turkey , Ukraine .
Celtic Culture, Music and Dancing is growing in Russia and Nations which were part of the former USSR . There's Irish Dancing in Ukraine , Russia , Turkey , Cyprus , Greece and Bulgaria . Many of the 125 + Irish Bars have regular live Irish Music, as well as live Irish Sports coverage - GAA, Soccer and Rugby . Top Irish Singers and European-based Irish Music Bands tour here regularly, as do top Irish Dance Shows, such is the popularity of the Irish Music and Dancing scene here. There are Irish societies in Cyprus , Russia , Greece , and Belarus , promoting cultural and social links between the host country and Ireland . Locally based Irish regularly support visiting Irish Sports Men's and Women's, such as Irish Boxing, Irish Golf, Irish Motor Rally, Irish Rowing, Irish Soccer, Irish Walking & Athletics, Irish Rugby, Irish Cycling and Irish Show Jumping Teams, which were all in this region this year. Irish Charity groups & defence Forces also have centres and commitments based here, as outlined above.

15,000 Irish live in Iceland , Norway , Sweden , Finland , Denmark , Estonia , Latvia , Lithuania - North Europe . More than 1/2 Million enjoy Northern Europe's Irish Music, Irish Cultural and Irish Sport scene. These countries host the Nordic Feis Annually with Irish Dancing Schools from across the region and some of the world’s biggest Irish Festivals. Irish Societies and Associations in Northern Europe are actively arranging Irish Literature, Theatre, Sport, Music and dancing events across Scandinavia; the Irish club in Estonia providing Irish Classes, for example. The region hosts Irish & Celtic Studies Centres in Sweden and Denmark . Many of the 230+ Irish Pubs have regular live Irish Music, as well as live Irish Sports coverage - GAA, Soccer and Rugby . Norway has a Celtic Irish Soccer Club, Finland has a hurling club, Sweden and Denmark played each other in Gaelic Football and in Hurling this past summer. Latvia hosts one of Europe’s hotspots to watch live GAA coverage, Lithuania’s Airija are a young hugely popular Folk-Rock band with strong with Irish Art & Culture influence.
Legend has it that many Irish women captured by Vikings ended up in Iceland, which is one explanation given why the country’s population has closer blood-type to the Irish than to populations in Denmark, Norway or Sweden. Because it was Irish women, the Irish surnames did not pass on to their descendents.

30,000 Irish live in Germany . More than 1 Million enjoy Germany 's Irish Music, Irish Cultural and Irish Sport scene. It is thriving here, you can feel the buzz, with Irish Societies and Associations, Irish & Celtic Studies Centres, and James Joyce Groups arranging regular events for the Irish and the Irish-interested communities in Germany . Germany has 650+ Irish Pubs and bars. There are Irish Music Bands, Irish Dancing Schools and Groups, and Irish & Celtic Music Festivals, in almost every region of the country. There are Irish Soccer Clubs, Rugby , Darts, Billiards, and GAA Clubs here.

30,000 Irish live in France , including more than 15,000 in Paris ,
More than 700,000 enjoy France 's Irish Music, Irish Cultural and Irish Sport scene. With Brittany and the Breton culture matched closely to the Irish & Celtic cultures, you can
join Irish Societies and Associations, Study Irish & Celtic Courses from Brittany to the French Riviera. The Irish College in Paris, which once was home to a Karol Wojtyla, known better to you as Pope John Paul II, is now an Irish cultural centre, and must be credited for the huge array of Irish events it hosts such as top lectures, book-launches, exhibitions and performances by Ireland’s top authors, musicians and artists.
Many of the France ’s 300+ Irish Pubs have a special closeness to the Irish Communities here, quite often arranging events in conjunction with them or for them. Europe ’s largest Irish & Celtic Annual Festival is held in Brittany . In fact there is a wide range of French Irish Music Bands, Irish Set-Dancing Schools and Groups, and Irish & Celtic Music Festivals, covering most parts of the country. There are Irish Soccer Clubs in Montpellier , Marseille and Paris . Play Gaelic Football in Brittany, Paris, Lyon or at Festivals across the Nation.

This is but a snapshot of the Irish communities across Europe , and some of the groups in which they are involved.

As Ireland integrates more and more with Europe , we see this entire region of Continental Europe as increasingly being the more favoured destination for Irish Emigrants, a destination of choice as opposed to a destination of economic force – back in the bad auld days of high emigration. The best that Ireland can do to help support - not only the Irish already on the continent, but to encourage it, - would be to primarily focus a little more on the importance of European languages in school. Our inability to converse with other Europeans is one of our greatest drawbacks as a nation, when we compare ourselves to others across this region. As an Island nation, Ireland needs to reach its surroundings and welcome with embrace the dawning of a new migration flow – not to Australia , not to UK , not to Canada , not to USA , but to the Continent of Europe.

It has already commenced.

To every Irish man, woman and child based across Continental Europe - may you all experience the joy that should be at Christmas, and together look forward to 2005, a time when it’s good to be Irish in Europe .