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« Previous Entries Next Entries »Emigration a strong theme in RTE’s upcoming programming
Thursday, August 7th, 2008Several programmes in RTE’s fall lineup deal explicitly with emigration. The following will surely be of interest to many people interested in emigration. No doubt some of these will be available on the station’s website at www.rte.ie.
The Great Escape – RTÉ One
Following the fortunes of four families as they relocate abroad to pursue new lives and careers, The Great Escape looks at the challenges facing those wishing to relocate in these tougher times.
J1 Summer – RTE Two
What happens when a group of Irish students head across the Atlantic in search of work, adventure and more …? This lid-lifting observational-documentary follows the kids where their parents fear to follow.
Living the Dream – RTÉ One
Have you always dreamt of running your own business and creating a new life abroad? This new six-part series for RTÉ One, narrated by Bibi Baskin, charts six families as they test-drive their dreams. From a couple running a Michelin-starred restaurant in Manhattan to a Flotilla in Greece, from a campsite in Normandy to a boutique Hotel in Provence, Living the Dream goes global in 2008.
Death or Canada – RTÉ One
This new two-part documentary series for RTÉ Television explores a fascinating sidebar of the infamous Black ’47. When thousands of Irish emigrants were exiled en-masse by famine, the ensuing deluge almost swamped the new city of Toronto. Thirty thousand refugees invaded a city of 20,000 people, then just a decade old. This documentary follows the progress of a new archaeological dig as it reopens this forgotten story from the Great Famine.
The Last Confession of Alexander Pearce – RTÉ One
When an Irish prisoner in Tasmania in the 1820s was reduced by the prison colony experience to serial cannibalism, it was a story that rocked the Englishspeaking world in its day. This fully dramatised documentary, part of RTÉ’s acclaimed and multi-award winning Hidden History series, explores a shocking episode in the controversial history of Van Diemen’s Land.
Aisling’s Diary – RTÉ Two
Aisling’s Diary tells the story of a 16 -year -old girl who returns to live in Ireland with her Irish family after a period of 13 years living in Boston. The American way of life is all she’s known, so adjustment to south side Dublin life presents its challenges and difficulties. A child of the Riverdance age, she is a talented and innovative Irish dancer who brings with her to Ireland some flash moves and innovative steps – something that invites the jealousy and resentment of her school dance teacher. From the producers of the hit Bebo interactive series Sofia’s Diary, this will be a cross-platform teen series for TTV in the Autumn.
The following, while not strictly emigration-related are also of interest.
Blood of the Irish – RTÉ One
Where did we all come from? Blood of the Irish tracks the origins of the Irish people from east Africa, through the Mediterranean basin and on to central Europe. Mingling history and cutting-edge genealogical science, this RTÉ documentary is presented by Diarmuid Gavin.
Welcome to My World – RTÉ One
This brand-new four part series for RTÉ One explores looks at what happens when immigrants bring home their significant other – be it a wife, a husband or a workmate – to their land of origin. How will they cope with the reality of life at home?
New Balbriggan – RTÉ One
A new four-part observational series based in Balbriggan will explore the reality of living in one of Ireland’s most multicultural towns through the eyes of a variety of its inhabitants.
Where Was Your Family During the Famine? – RTÉ One
Journalist John Waters, economist Eddie Hobbs and model Jasmine Guinness, set out to find the answer to a question lost in time: what happened to their families during the famine? Mixing genealogy with popular history, this ambitious production offers a dynamic new perspective on this most significant period in Irish history through the personal quest of our subjects.
Who Do You Think You Are? – RTÉ One
Where, and what, have we come from? Six Irish celebrities, with the aid of our specially chosen genealogy professionals, go back in time, tracing their roots. Ardal O’Hanlon, Charlie Bird, Joe Duffy, Dana Rosemary Scallon, Pamela Flood and Linda Martin are set for some surprises as they find out just who is at the bottom of their elusive family trees.
A Light In The Window: Mary Robinson’s Struggle for Human Rights – RTÉ One
To mark the 60th anniversary of the UN Declaration of Human Rights, RTÉ offers this revealing portrait of the former President of Ireland and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson. The doctor’s daughter from Ballina, Co Mayo, could have settled for a life of comfort and privilege, but instead, her beliefs, values and experiences have fuelled a lifelong passion for justice. She has battled relentlessly to give a voice to the voiceless and to safeguard the dignity of the world’s most vulnerable and powerless people, whether through her campaigns for free legal aid and contraception or by fighting for the rights of prisoners, asylum seekers, women and children. Today, she is one of The Elders, a group of elder statesmen and women, including Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Jimmy Carter, Kofi Annan and Aung san Suu Kyi, who aim to bring their experience and moral leadership to some of the world’s more intractable problems, from Darfur to the Holy Land. We follow Mary Robinson’s work within the group and accompany her to South Africa as the Elders gather for the 90th Birthday of Nelson Mandela.
Radio show advises on Australia move
Wednesday, August 6th, 2008The Last Word programme on Today FM carried a feature today on how to emigrate to Australia. The marketing manager of a business called Migrationabroad.com painted a rosy view of moving to Australia, depicting it as a place with good weather, plentiful jobs, cheap housing and a good work-life balance.
A prospective emigrant was also interviewed, who is planning on moving to Perth with his wife and children, where they will join friends. He has been working but says “with the way the economy is going, I don’t know what the future holds”. He says that his decision to move was initially a lifestyle choice rather than an economic move; they are giving it two years and then will decide whether to move there permanently.
The Migrationabroad.com representative says that she gives clinics every month, and has found that more people are moving to Australia who have never been there before. “People are prepared to take a chance on it…The culture shock isn’t there”. She added that the schools were good, they speak English, and there is a similar system to recognise trades. She said it was the most popular destination.
After the interview, the presenter read a text that had come in. “Now we know we’re in the 1980s, promoting emigration”. The presenter said that promoting emigration had not been his intent.
Irish recruits to British army increasing
Wednesday, August 6th, 2008The number of recruits from the Republic of Ireland joining the British army has doubled in the last year, according to the Belfast Newsletter. The paper says that Irish citizens now make up 10.5% of recruits.
The paper features a 23-year-old Kilkenny carpenter who said that he had been getting restless. Although he had been in the Irish reserves, he felt “the English Army has a lot more to offer – I can go on to further education maybe after a few years and there are plenty of options for combat tours, going to Iraq, Afghanistan or other areas like that.”
The paper quotes Lieutenant Colonel Dick Rafferty, head of Army recruitment in Northern Ireland, who said:
“Historically, there is nothing new in young men and women from the south joining the Army.
“But it’s fair to say that for many years the numbers were in decline.
“However, from 2003 onwards we have seen real growth in those joining.”
Lt-Col Rafferty put the reasons for this growth down to a change in Irish attitudes to the British Army, economic conditions and word-of-mouth from the many Irish soldiers in the Army.
“Similarly, given the current strong and vibrant political relations between North and South, there is less of a stigma in telling your friends and family that you’ve joined,” he said.
See the article on the Belfast Newsletter website.
Milwaukee Irish Fest: August 14-17
Wednesday, August 6th, 2008The Milwaukee Irish Fest, the world’s largest celebration of Irish music and culture, takes place this month. The festival is taking place from August 14 to 17, and over those four days more than 100 acts will take to the 16 stages.
This year’s theme is Galway, and many Galway musicians, including the Saw Doctors, will be in attendance. The massive festival also includes a Gaeltacht, currach races, a dance tent, hurling, tug-of-war, and a hedge school. Exhibitions will focus on topics as diverse as the heritage of the Ulster-Scots, traditional music, historic and pre-historic landscapes, and the Galway Arts Festival. There will also be a Belleek pottery road show, a music shop selling instruments and music, a literary corner, an interactive exhibit on St Patrick, and much more.
A summer school in the week leading up to the festival includes courses for adults on traditional basket weaving, aran knitting, wood carving, Irish language, step dancing, and a host of music courses. There are also a variety of classes for children.
See the website at Irishfest.org.
Priest who forged emigrant links dies
Wednesday, August 6th, 2008Canon Stephen Ludden, a Castlebar priest who worked to forge strong links between the town and its emigrants, has died at the age of 80.
The Mayo News reports that Fr Ludden cultivated links between the Castlebar Associations in London, Birmingham and elsewhere. Johnny Mee, a friend and Castlebar Labour councillor said, “He was a great man for the Irish Apostolate in London and a regular visitor to their annual get-together”.
Read the whole story in the Mayo News.
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Laid-back New Zealand inspires Irish woman to stay
Wednesday, August 6th, 2008An article on immigrants to New Zealand features the experience of Sam Hill, an Irish woman who says she fell in love with the people and country of New Zealand after travelling there on a whim with a friend. After three months, she realised she had fallen in love with the people and the country and decided to stay for another year, then another, until she ultimately decided to apply for permanent residence.
The article highlights her difficulties in making it through the immigration process, which she described as ‘a waiting game’, fraught with potential barriers. “But if you want the lifestyle, it’s worth it”, Ms Hill told The Aucklander.
Ms Hill is so far reluctant to take up citizenship in her new home:
‘I need to see what the benefits are and whether I can keep my passport,’ she says. ‘I can already vote, so I don’t know whether it’s worth it. And I want to keep my Irish passport. It brings home that I am Irish, and I always will be.’
Read the entire article on The Aucklander website.
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