Sunday, December 23, 2012

The DNA of Diaspora Irish Times




Ireland is embedded deep in the DNA of its diaspora

DETTA O'CATHAIN
OPINION: By supporting the creation of a diaspora centre in Dún Laoghaire we will be paying tribute to our ancestors
I first associated the word “diaspora” with the Bible. Subsequently it cropped up when I read stories of persecuted people in central Europe. I didn’t necessarily associate the term with Irish emigration. However, through the decades, my understanding has broadened.
I now believe the Irish diaspora has such a good story to tell. Too frequently we have tended to adopt a “victim” status. In my view this does not sit easily with the facts.
My generation knew all about being educated “for the emigrant ship”. It seemed to be a given that most of us would find work elsewhere, taking the benefits of an excellent education around the world and enriching other countries as a result.
We should be so proud of that, and I am.
We have always taken the benefits of excellent education to other countries. Our monks enriched people in Europe – educating, caring for the poor and sick, and preaching justice and peace.
More recently the young soldiers of our tiny island bravely undertook peace missions in the Middle East and Africa as members of United Nations peacekeeping forces.
Now, when there are broadcasts from disaster areas and the tones of Irish relief workers come over the airwaves, I find myself possessively proud.
Of course there have been troubled times. I recall the public sense of horror – and my sense of shame – when my country people bombed and killed in places such as London. However, despite this, the overriding impression of the Irish diaspora is incredibly positive. Even through these dark economic times, when people are being ground down by the impact of austerity, Ireland is being applauded. It’s digging its way out of crisis and this is being noticed worldwide.
Diaspora centre plans 
In recent days I hosted a gathering of our diaspora in the House of Lords. I am a member of the leadership council of the Irish International Diaspora Trust, and the aim of the gathering was to provide a briefing on our plans to develop a diaspora centre in Dún Laoghaire in Co Dublin.
In attendance were women and men who dedicate themselves to supporting people in their local communities. There were also dynamic young people who are leaders in the professions: lawyers, medics, designers and innovators.
We are a diaspora who can hold our heads high. We contribute to the best of our ability wherever we go.
We must make every Irish person feel the same. It is appropriate and fundamentally important to celebrate the global imprint our diaspora has made and continues to make.
We live in an age of global mobility with 24-hour communication. We move around the world in a way that would be alien to our grandparents, many of whom would have been daunted by the prospect of a trip from Dublin to Cork.
After my 21st birthday my grandmother became ill. I went to see her and, at the end of the visit, I told her I could not return the following week as I was going to New York. To my horror she burst into tears (I had never seen her cry before – she was my indomitable seanmháthair). She said: “No one ever comes back from New York.” And, of course, she had seen those near and dear to her go to places such as New York and South Africa and never return. She was born in 1877.
Families were fractured but still showed resilience and created new families in so many lands.
The children of these waves of emigrants have made contributions of great importance and, although they are successful and settled in their new lands, the pull of Ireland and its culture and customs remains very strong.
As a member of the diaspora I can relate intimately to this. We have strong ties to the countries we have made home. Yet deep down a couple of lines of Yeats, a snatch of a John McCormack song (we listened on the lovely wind-up gramophone) or a news article about beautiful west Cork sets us thinking. And sometimes leaves us wishing and hoping we could be catapulted back.
There is something in our souls that is stirred. We know about the DNA of our bodies. But what about the DNA in our souls? It is strong and powerful.
We should take time to acknowledge it and draw comfort from belonging to a precious and internationally admired country. The recent approach to the Government by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to facilitate a strand of the third Global Diaspora Forum in Dún Laoghaire says a lot. It is recognition by her that Ireland’s diaspora has thrived, yet has remained very connected to its motherland.
Hosting the Global Diaspora Forum gives us an opportunity to consider how we can link better with our diaspora to exploit new markets, drive innovation and help in problem-solving, including in conflicts and disasters. However, it is also an opportunity to connect with and celebrate our diaspora.
Sense of belonging 
Some years ago I visited Ellis Island, which is a symbol and celebration of American immigration. It was a hugely impactful experience. Learning more about the stories of those who came to make the United States their home illuminated my connection to Ireland. I felt a sense of belonging that the 70 million other members of the Irish diaspora – from throughout the ages – shared with me. That experience has resided with me ever since.
I am pleased that the programme for government seeks to support the creation of a diaspora centre.
We must pass on to this generation and to future generations the importance of the Irish DNA of the soul. The sense of belonging to a very precious country brightens our lives. This is what, in strong terms, the diaspora centre will do.
By supporting this, we shall be paying tribute to our ancestors who worked so hard. It will offer a place for people to feel that important sense of belonging. It will give our grandchildren, and generations far into the future, a place to come when they want to seek out their roots.

Baroness Detta O’Cathain is a member of the House of Lords and of the leadership council of the Irish International Diaspora Trust, which is working to create a diaspora centre at Dún Laoghaire Harbour.
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BrianClarkeNUJ
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BrianClarkeNUJ
Good article but your London remarks are out of context and subjective, "British Secret State Terrorism is an Abomination" - http://www.indymedia.ie/article/102937

Celtic Green Brigade






Is Celtic finally talking the language of global football?

by McAllister of Ongar in Exile

Football is one of the few universal languages in our world: it has the power to unite people in a passionate and unparalleled way. It can supplant life in some sections of our society and it can reward us emotionally in greater ways than we care to admit.
Looking back over the decades of my life following Celtic I can honestly say there have more good times than the bad.
Now this will definitely age me, I can recall the first time I saw Celtic. It was at Cathkin Park [1960-61 season] against Third Lanark though I can’t remember the score [I think we lost...they finished third that year] just the noise and the stench of cigarette smoke and urine. My Dad took me…he reasoned with my Mum that it would be a ‘safe game’ to go to and as my Dad didn’t have a car, we could walk from Govanhill. On the way back I was cautioned not to mention the toilet habits of our fellow supporters or my Mum would ban me from ever going again.
My excitement that day still lives with me and even now I get that same sense of anticipation and glow when I journey to any of the games.
Another seminal moment in my football supporting life was the 1963 Real Madrid - Eintracht Frankfurt European Cup Final. I was in awe of the football that night. That was my first really big football night. What a stadium Hampden was with its steep terraces and giant floodlight pylons. A magical place and it was owned by Queens Park! How could they afford it I used to wonder?
In my lifetime I have seen Celtic grow from being not even the second best team in Scotland to become the best and then the best in Britain and Europe. Yes my Dad took me to Lisbon too. I have watched them achieve international fame and infamy and back again as our beautiful club slipped back down the global rankings. But we never lost the faith.
Today it’s all about money and brands if we are to survive on 'Planet Football' and the number of football brands seems to be consolidating as the TV contracts become bigger. The big boys get richer and the wee guys get marginalised in this world of sport. According to Brandirectory, a US based sports marketing agency, Man U are the biggest global sports brand, bigger than any of their NFL, NBA or NHL franchises. Football is truly a global game.
Sitting in New York, where I travel to frequently on business, I am spell bound by Fox Soccer and its spin on ‘football’. The format is basically the same the obligatory anchorman and the couple of football pundits. Today it was Warren Barton. They talk about “three to two’ victories in “game 17” but by and large the language is pretty much the same. Their ‘uber’ enthusiasm is certainly addictive. They even managed to make the Man City - Reading post match analysis exciting.
Imagine my pride this week as I watched a re-run of Celtic versus Barca right there on Fox Soccer and following that up announcing: “Soccer’s Next Young Star” a new series launching in January filmed at Celtic AND you can watch the Celtic games by signing up to Fox Soccer Plus. North America the home of the brave, the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLS featuring our wee club, this ‘pub team’ as the English media like to call us.
It blows my mind. We might just be on the way back to the top table after all. Why? Well because the great global game is coming to terms with its need to grow its own talent if we wish to compete with the big boys. We need to be spotting “soccer’s next young star” and be like Barcelona and grow our own.
At Celtic we have always had that culture the only problem was we lost our way chasing the Ibrox dragon as it burned its way through cash and Scotland’s football heritage.
We know that our leaders made some shocking errors of judgement and didnt have courage to stick to the principles of the club and respect its heritage. However we have the best home fan base in Scotland, recognised and respected around the world. Welcomed by all for our colour, our joy, our enthusiasm and good sportsmanship and a passionate belief in our destiny. Yes frequently we’ve been kicked in the head by lady luck and fate has scorned us but we are still here, still fighting and still singing.
Along the way our club administrators might have lost the faith at times BUT WE NEVER DID!
Happy Holidays and Hail Hail
The Green Brigade is an ultras group consisting of supporters of the Scottish football club Celtic.

The group were formed in 2006 and describe themselves as a "a broad front of anti-fascist, anti-racist and anti-sectarian Celtic supporters".[1] They are normally situated in section 111 of Celtic Park; Celtic football club were closely involved in creating the Green Brigade section within the stadium. The Green Brigade have organised various displays at Celtic matches involving banners, flags and demonstrations which have been credited with improving the atmosphere at Celtic Park.

Green Brigade display on 13 August 2011
The group participate in, and often start, pro-Irish Republican Army, anti-British and Irish Republican chants.
At a match against Dundee United in November 2010, there was serious disorder in the section occupied by the Green Brigade when a supporter was being ejected by stewards.[5]Supporters charged at the security guards and one was left with a bloody lip after a coin was reportedly thrown.
In April 2011 at the Scottish Cup semi-final against Aberdeen police officers attempted to remove a supporter who had set off a flare inside the stadium. Police were unable to remove the supporter because other fans held onto him. Four supporters were later held by police in connection with the incident.More than 100 Green Brigade members walked out of the stadium in protest of the arrests.
In April 2011 some members of the Green Brigade were not sent season ticket renewal forms after the club threatened to disperse the group around other sections of the stadium.
After the last match of the 2011-12 season Celtic manager Neil Lennon presented the SPL trophy to the Green Brigade by placing it in front of the section where they sit. He later said, "I just wanted to say thank you to them because they have, week in, week out, created a great atmosphere. They sing non-stop. They add colour. Sometimes they are a little bit controversial but in the main they have behaved themselves impeccably and they have changed the culture of the stadium. It’s a fun place to come for the supporters and the atmosphere in the big games has been fantastic. They are the catalyst for all of that."[8]
In November 2012, the Green Brigade organised a pre-match card display against Barcelona to celebrate Celtic's 125th anniversary.The display featured a Celtic cross, green and white hoops and 125 Celtic in written form, with supporters earning the praise of club chairman Peter Lawwell