Ep 389 – Emigrant Support Programme Funding at the Irish Embassy and 50 Years of the Corby Irish Centre

In Part 1… We’re down in London at the Irish Embassy meeting Seán Fleming TD, Minister of State and Diaspora.

Announcing this year’s funding for the Emigrant Support Programme, he also highlights the new structure that secures grants for three years. This allows our Irish support organisations to make bigger plans, knowing that funding is safe for longer.

Since 2004, this programme has assisted over 850 organisations in 51 countries, including the UK, with grants totalling over €237 million and continues to grow.

Our associations and societies directly benefit, helping support the good work done within the Irish Community.

We meet up with some of those that the Programme supports and also hear from Martin Fraser, Irish Ambassador to the UK.

In Part 2… We’re in Corby, Northamptonshire, to meet up with some of the founding members of the Corby Irish Centre.

Celebrating their 50^th year, we look back on those early days, hear some great nostalgic stories and look through their photo albums.

With Irish dancing from Chamber’s Academy of Irish Dance & Matthew’s Academy of Irish Dance, along with music from Splitting Rocks, there’s plenty to celebrate.

For more information…

Search for “Emigrant Support Programme” for more details

Corby Irish Centre can be found on Facebook

Watch the Irish in the UK every Tuesday night at 8.00 pm on SKY 588, Youtube and Facebook.