Irish Living Legacy: Silver to Gold Edition
2024 Intergenerational Irish Music Tournament of Champions
The Irish Diaspora Center is launching an Intergenerational Irish Music Tournament that will begin on Wednesday, April 3rd, 2024.
Intergenerational programs provide a means to increase contact, create meaningful relationships, foster social growth, promote cultural values, and engage all members of our community.
Our Irish Music Tournament features 16 beloved Irish songs, 8 traditional and 8 modern, that are arranged in a tournament-style bracket allowing participants to vote in each round for their favorites!
Voting results from each round will be posted daily on our Facebook and Instagram pages.
Winners from each bracket will advance to the finals in which one song will be crowned the 2024 Irish Music Tournament Champion!
Only Facebook and Instagram followers of the Irish Diaspora will be eligible for prizes so please type in ‘Irish Diaspora Center’ in the ‘Search’ window at the upper left-hand corner of your Facebook page, look for our link and then click on the ‘Follow’ button.
Please join us in a celebration of Irish music in an activity that the whole family can enjoy!
2023 Annual Appeal
Click HERE to support our 2023-2034 Annual Appeal!
Foróige Youth Club - accepting new members!
Job Posting: Director of Community Engagement & Organizing
Lifting of COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced 11 May as the end-date for the COVID-19 vaccine requirement when entering the US for Federal employees, Federal contractors, and international air travelers.
The full White House statement can be found here: https://bit.ly/3p55Mp9
Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security has announced a termination of the vaccination requirement effective 12 May for non-U.S. travelers entering the United States via land ports of entry and ferry terminals.
The DHS statement can be found here: https://www.dhs.gov/news/2023/05/01/dhs-statement-lifting-title-19-requirements
We await further guidance related to vaccine requirements for those applying for green card adjustment and immigrant visas, as the COVID-19 vaccine requirement is tied to their application not their entry to the US.
IDC featured in the Irish Star
'We don't turn anyone away': Irish Diaspora Center in Philadelphia on extending helping hand to those in need
By Fionnuala Boyle, The Irish Star
An Irish nonprofit organization in Philadelphia that strives to help people in need insists it "doesn't turn anyone away" - Irish or not.
The Irish Diaspora Center has been serving the needs of the Irish and Irish American communities since 1998, "acting as a voice" for the Irish on both national and international levels, all in the name of strengthening its rich heritage.
Working with the Irish Government and other Irish organizations throughout the US, the center prioritizes the most vulnerable while assisting with issues including passports, healthcare, employment, and housing.
Despite its close ties to home, the center prides itself on the fact that staff is approached by people of all races and ethnicities, and in response, they do whatever they can to help those who reach out in their hour of need.
Last year, in fact, 52 percent of people who received aid came from outside Ireland, showing that the age-old culture of Irish hospitality is not exclusive to those who only hail from the Emerald Isle.
Tom Higgins, 56, Board Director of the Irish Diaspora Center, told Irish Star: "We try to be a source of the source. If there's something we can't directly help with, or a language we can't speak, we find out where people can go.
"We have a large population of West African and Caribbean nationalities that come to us, as well as Eastern Europeans, so we cast the net wide in our efforts.
"We have a good array of characters on board too - several immigrants and a bunch of Irish Americans - so it gives us a good perspective on all sides. At the end of the day, it's all about remaining part of the community.
"We liaise between the Consul General of Ireland in New York and the Irish Government particularly when people are in trouble. The public doesn't know half of what goes on - from prison visits to booking emergency travel back to Ireland.
"A while ago, one Irishman was crossing West Chester Pike when he was hit by a bus. He was in a vegetative state and we had to arrange his flight back home to Donegal.
"It was costly but he seems to be doing a lot better now. They were ready to pull the plug on him here."
Born in Philadelphia, Tom moved to Galway at the age of eight, before returning to the City of Brotherly Love in 1987, meaning he is well-placed to understand the stresses and strains that come with crossing the Atlantic.
And so do his peers. The center is spearheaded by Emily Norton Ashinhurst, Executive Director, who spent summers in Co Kildare, Ciarán Porter, Youth Development Director, born and raised in Co Donegal and emigrated to Philly after some time working in Liverpool, and long-term volunteer and now employee, Alanna Barry McCloskey, daughter of an Irish immigrant and native of Havertown, spent many summers with her large family in Co Antrim.
The center is also based in Havertown, often nicknamed the 33rd county due to its Irish stronghold, therefore making it the perfect location to offer comfort and solace for Irish immigrants, ex-pats, and descendants alike.
"Typically, Irish people lived in West Philadelphia, then they moved to Upper Darby, which is adjacent to Havertown", explained the dad-of-four, who is also President of the Delaware Valley Irish Hall of Fame.
"It's a really tight-knit community and has a long history of housing Irish people. That's why we based the center there because it feels like home to a lot of people in that area.
"We were originally called the Irish Immigration Center, too, but immigration became kind of a dirty word politically and in the American vernacular, so we changed it to Diaspora."
Although the center's day-to-day runnings consist of practicalities including visas, citizenships, arrests, and deportations, staff also do all they can to bring awareness to Irish culture, history, literature, and art.
This takes the form of genealogy groups and social events such as Friday night card games, coffee mornings with visiting Irish politicians, senior citizen luncheons, day trips, and movie nights.
"We held two big events recently, one of which was Straight Out of Ireland which brought together Ireland's finest contemporary creative talents to the states", said Tom.
"Over 20 Irish artists and six local ones showed their wares from bodhráns to murals. One guy made artwork solely from brown paper bags.
"We also partnered with Irish artist, Tom Meskell, for a Lights in the Darkness display of more than 100 life-size lantern figures which were placed at Dilworth Park at Philadelphia's City Hall in September. It was quite a spectacle.
"The intention was to raise awareness for suicide and mental illness, and bring peace to those impacted."
Emily Norton Ashinhurst, who has been at the organization for five years, went on: "We recognized the need in Philly to raise money for mental health programming so we now have a small pool of funds available for people who are not able to get insurance to pay for counseling.
"We make the referral and pay for a portion of the first 10 weeks of counseling. The public display was a tremendous experience, too. It was a big undertaking for us but it was a creative way to support those who don't always feel heard.
"I see the impact these projects have in real-time. It's an uplifting job. Seeing the difference our work has on our clients on a daily basis is what gets me up in the morning. It's incredible."
On her own personal affiliation with the cause, Emily added: "My dad's father is from Wicklow and his mother is from Dublin, and I stayed with my cousins in Kildare every summer.
"It helped me recognize my own privilege in that I've been able to straddle the US and Ireland and now make it my work life.
"I have a deep connection to Ireland has always been passionate about the country and its people."
Community Survey
As we enter our 25th year of service to the community, we are asking our friends to take a few moments to help us evaluate the needs of the Irish Community today.
Please click to participate in our brief survey - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/irish-programs-phl
IDC presents second annual Straight Out of Ireland art exhibit
Many thanks to our Lights in the Darkness Volunteers!
Lights in the Darkness Key Note Speakers
We are thrilled to welcome distinguished keynote speakers, Dr. Kristen Donnelly (MSW, M.Div, PhD) & Mr. Jordan Burnham, for our Lights in the Darkness public exhibit on September 22nd.
Click below to watch Dr. Donnelly’s TED Talks
Lights in the Darkness: About our artists
Press Release: Community art workshops
Community art workshops where those affected by personal mental health struggles or loss of a loved one due to mental health stresses will build life-size lantern figures
PHILADELPHIA - The Irish Diaspora Center of Philadelphia (IDC) will host the inaugural “Lights in the Darkness” community workshop program throughout September with a final exhibit on September 22, 2022.
Lights in the Darkness project, sponsored by the IDC, is designed to raise awareness, spark the conversation, and reduce the stigma of mental health issues that lead to suicidality. The project responds to those needs in significant and highly visible ways. The goals of this program are to:
• bring a voice to the epidemic of suicide and reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues, including depression, addiction, grief, and suicidality
• offer a therapeutic art project and community of support to those affected by suicide through sculpture build and display of the community of lantern figures
• raise funds for mental health programs in the community
“This project has been a dream of ours for the last two years and I’m thrilled that the IDC can bring it to life now with the help of our tremendous partners. Coming through COVID, we’ve seen a large increase in mental health needs throughout all communities. This epidemic impacts people from every walk of life and our project helps all create a community of support,” says Emily Norton Ashinhurst, Executive Director of the Irish Diaspora Center.
Workshops for the project are taking place all over the Philadelphia area including Havertown, Gladwyne, Yardley, Downingtown, Jenkintown, and Claymont, DE. With the final exhibit taking place at Dilworth Park at Philadelphia City Hall, all of the five counties are included. Workshop partners are vital, and we are grateful to all who have given us space to bring this important project to all areas of the Philadelphia community.
St. Christopher’s Church in Gladwyne, PA is one of those locations. The Rev. Dr. Hillary Raining stated, “Being able to lift others through the Lights in the Darkness project is meaningful to our congregation. Mental health illness affects everyone, regardless of religion, race, gender, or other metrics that can be used to separate us these days. Some of our parishioners experience mental health struggles firsthand and to be able to offer this project as an outlet is powerful”
Lights in the Darkness is for all affected by mental health illness, whether their own or a loved one’s struggle. Participants will work with artist Tom Meskell to create life-size, wire sculptures covered in paper and varnish, and lit from within. The sculptures will then be installed for a public ceremony and exhibit scheduled for Thursday, September 22, 2022, to coincide with Suicide Awareness Month. The exhibit is set to take place at Dilworth Park at Philadelphia’s City Hall. It will display more than 100 life-size lantern figures to light the night and create an emotionally powerful exhibition.
For more information, visit icphila.org/lights-in-the-darkness
Career Opportunity
Career Opportunity: Skilled labor wanted in Delaware County
Coatings & Polishing Installer - full-time
Installation of concrete coatings, concrete polishing systems; Installation of underlayments & toppings; Training provided; Some travel is required - expenses paid
For more information, email alanna@icphila.org or call 610-789-6355
Travel Guidance
The Government of Ireland's latest rules for travelling to Ireland, including requirements related to:
PLF (passenger locator forms)
Testing
Vaccination
There have been inquiries related to individuals landing in the Republic of Ireland (ROI) and traveling to Northern Ireland (NI) in the coming weeks. I contacted the Northern Ireland Bureau for feedback on the issue. Please see the following:
Anyone traveling to NI via Dublin must follow the rules set out in this nidirect link.
However, as stated towards the end of the above NI guidance, they must also follow the relevant parts of the ROI regulations HERE. Relevant parts include:
Compliance with the pre-travel testing requirements set out in this ROI guidance for vaccinated or unvaccinated status;
Completion of relevant parts of the ROI PLF in addition to the NI PLF;
Individuals need to keep checking the NI guidance regularly before they travel as it can change very quickly in response to changing circumstances on the ground.
As previously shared, Irish citizens outside the EU, who have been vaccinated for COVID-19, may apply for the EU Digital COVID Certificate, IF:
They hold a valid Irish passport;
Are at least 18 years of age;
Received an authorized vaccine & have documentation
More info here: EU Digital COVID Certificate Self Service Portal
In Memorium
Spotlight on Edel MacBride, 2019 Straight Out Of Ireland Artist
Design N’ Ambition the key fabric of Edel’s Success
Edel MacBride is an award-winning designer, entrepreneur, philanthropist and more. Having been involved in the craft and design industry since the tender age of 11, (to source funds for a trip to Dublin!) craft is in her DNA.
Edel’s story about business, the industry, involvement in a host of initiatives in the North West City Region (Donegal and Derry/Strabane districts), the award winning #PledgeScrubs campaign and support for initiatives like #BuyDonegal, is a fascinating one.
‘’I was lucky to following my dream of getting into Art School at LYIT. Back then courses involved lots of expensive materials and the 80s were a challenging time. But I had a focus and an eye for fashion, which thankfully has stayed with me.’’ This is something of an understatement considering throughout her career, Edel has consistently developed her own ideas and designs, to international acclaim. A further LSAD qualification at LIT in Limerick and early business training at Ulster University gave a solid grounding for her future success in design and business.
One of the earliest initiatives was developing a retail business in the city of Derry in 1989, and proudly the craft village connection remains over 30 years on. The benefit of getting instant feedback from customers was extremely valuable and as Edel jokes ‘’especially during the 90s in Derry, no-one spared your feelings!’’
Edel has achieved and evolved quite a bit since then. ‘’One of, and still is, our biggest events was the Showcase Ireland Trade Fair with a base of both Irish and International Retailers, it was hard work but great fun too. You’d want three heads to talk to buyers at times!’’ She’s been involved in countless fashion shows and saw a growing appreciation for Irish made designs, with a key catalyst being the recession of the late noughties.
During that time she started Knitfield, classes to act as a voice of inspiration to educate people to make their own garments. This led to the development of cultural experiences for visitors, which in turn led to the development of core tours in knitting experiences partnering with a leading Irish tour operator.
Collaboration has always been something inherent in Edel. She’s worked with models and founders such as Donegal’s own Faye Dinsmore to develop a clothing range, forms part of the Creative Coast, a collective of the creative sector in Donegal, and recently appointed to the Board of Directors with the Design and Craft Council of Ireland (DCCI), its only North West representative.
In the North West City Region she’s involved in a co-operative of craft making entrepreneurs from Donegal, Derry and Tyrone. She’s also a leading voice within the Culture Strategy for Derry City and Strabane Council and a key participant at the annual Milwaukee Irish Festival and Summer School, which has a strong connection to the Donegal and the North West.
‘’Growing up at times I wondered why my parents gave so much time to volunteering. I now know why’’ The #Pledgescrubs campaign started in March 2020 when Edel contacted Ray Doherty at Moville Shirts. Both were firmly committed to ensuring front line workers did not have to ‘buy’ scrubs for work. Their tireless dedication saw them raise €85,000 from over 4,000 contributors and make national news for delivering scrubs across the Island of Ireland to HSE and NHS staff. The campaign has received national acknowledgment through Today FM and recently Edel received an ‘’Above and Beyond’’ award from the Donegal Association for this work.
Edel’s dedication to all things local also saw her become a key contributor to the inaugural #BuyDonegal campaign in 2020. ‘’This came about very suddenly as I’d been focusing on launching a new website that was more relatable to my online audience in lock down. The Pandemic redefined ‘community’ and helped broaden the campaign’s appeal. During the campaign my website traffic and sales were good and for me it was important that the #BuyDonegal message reflected a quality standard my customer expects’’
Edel (unsurprisingly) has plenty of ideas for #BuyDonegal 2021 with competitions and different hashtags all considerations. ‘’For me it’s good to keep the content entertaining too. Shopping should have a recreational feel. There was great collaboration between companies involved last year and I’m sure that will be the case this year too.’’
#BuyDonegal takes place from 5th November – 31st December 2021. The official campaign launch webinar is on Wednesday October 27th for which you can Register Here
< Ends >
THE IRISH DIASPORA EDUCATION ALLIANCE WELCOMES APPLICATIONS FOR IRISH UNIVERSITY STUDY
Celtic Classic Irish Soda Bread Contest
Celtic Classic Irish Soda Bread Contest
BETHLEHEM, Pennsylvania — Do you have a favorite recipe for Irish soda bread? Enter the Celtic Classic Irish Soda Bread Contest to win a blue ribbon, prizes and bragging-rights on September 25, 2021, at Celtic Classic Highland Games and Festival in Bethlehem.
Open to amateur bakers and sponsored by King Arthur Flour, the Irish soda bread contest has no fee to enter. The top three contestants in the adult category will be awarded gift certificates in the amounts of $75, $50, and $25, respectively, to Kingarthurflour.com. The top three youth under 18 will be awarded a $40 gift certificate, $25 gift certificate, and a King Arthur tote bag (respectively.) Deadline to receive registrations is September 11, 2021.
The soda bread will be scored based on taste, overall appearance, creativity and texture by three judges: Patricia Rice, owner of Victorian Delights and Superintendent of the Farm to Table Stage at The Great Allentown Fair; Ken Walsh, President of the Lehigh County Division 1 Ancient Order of the Hibernians; and Kim DeLuca, a nurse and amateur baker.
For more information about the Irish soda bread contest or to download the registration form, visit https://www.celticfest.org/celtic-classic-irish-soda-bread-contest/ or contact Marcie Mulligan at mmulligan@celticfest.org.
Celtic Classic runs from Friday, September 24 through Sunday, September 26, 2021, in downtown historic Bethlehem. For more information, directions, volunteering opportunities and the weekend’s schedule, log on to www.celticfest.org. For up-to-the-minute information and updates, follow Celtic Classic on Twitter (@CelticClassic) and friend them on Facebook (facebook.com/CelticClassic).
Marcie Mulligan
Director of Cultural Education
902 4th Avenue, Suite 2, Bethlehem, PA 18018
610-868-9599
