Diaspora invited home to run SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon
Minister Deenihan invites diaspora home to run SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon
Minister for the Diaspora, Jimmy Deenihan, TD, has joined forces with Sonia O’Sullivan and Frank Greally to invite members of the Irish diaspora home to run the SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon
The SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon is one of Ireland’s most prestigious sporting events. It is hoped that members of our diaspora will consider signing up and travelling home to take part.
The marathon is an opportunity to visit home and to also to meet with other Irish people living and working all over the world.
The recently launched Diaspora Policy ‘Global Irish’ emphasised the importance of facilitating two-way diaspora engagement at local, national and international level. Inviting members of the diaspora home to take part in the Dublin Marathon is just one of a number of actions to facilitate engagement with the diaspora.
Inviting members of the diaspora home to take part in the Dublin Marathon is just one of a number of actions to facilitate engagement with the diaspora.
The Global Irish Civic Forum recently saw representatives of over 140 organisations working with the Irish diaspora meet to discuss their work and share ideas. Almost 200 delegates from 17 countries attended the Forum. Organisations represented at the Forum included those which provide welfare and support to vulnerable emigrants; those which promote Irish culture abroad; Irish-focused business networks and campaign groups for emigrants.
Speaking on the initiative Minister for the Diaspora, Jimmy Deenihan said:
“I hope that this effort to bring members of our diaspora back to participate in the SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon will contribute to achieving this and will also encourage other similar initiatives throughout Ireland.”
The high profile sports event will be supplemented by a number of networking events organised by the IDA, Enterprise Ireland, Tourism Ireland with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Business networks including The Irish International Business Network and the Irish Network USA will encourage members of the diaspora working overseas to return home to take part in the marathon.
Speaking at the launch, Sonia O’Sullivan said:
“I am thrilled to be involved in this exciting initiative which provides a great opportunity for members of the diaspora to network and participate in a great sporting event.
“I will be leading a team of emigrants in this year’s race and urge all those who can to get involved” Sonia O’Sullivan
Frank Greally, Irish Runner magazine editor, added:
“Completing the SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon in October should make for a unique kind of homecoming –a special achievement to celebrate with family and friends.”
Find out more
Read our press release on the initiative here: https://www.dfa.ie/news-and-media/press-releases/press-release-archive/2015/april/diaspora-invited-home-to-run-dublin-marathon/
Find out more about the SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon here: http://sseairtricitydublinmarathon.ie/