THats it . We will bring them all home for Inda’s birthday . We can have a big cake and thousands of balloons ( one for each of the emmigrants) and we can all sing ”for he’s a jolly good fellow! ……….

There you go again

Hi John Phoenix
How are you this evening ? I had a wonderful day surrounded by family and friends at a family celebration. I am so glad to hear that you missed me on the journal and I got all the personal messages you sent me . I just wanted to let you know :)

Cian, I agree that a lot of people who have never visited this country have an idealistic image of auld Ireland. Alas a lot of those that have visited it report dirty streets, rip off prices and unwelcoming locals. It’s a sad legacy of Celtic tiger Ireland.

Of course there needs to be an incentive, other than because enda said so! It would be nice to offer returning diaspora something that might invest then more in their experience and that would encourage then to maintain their link with Ireland in the future, plus cheap flights ‘home’ on Aer Lingus would be good.

….or a new government and no liars! No austerity might help too , more jobs less tax and a partridge in a pear tree !!! :)

Very tiresome, Susie!

@Nydon – A GAA world cup is a phenomenal idea! Maybe run at club level – You’d have GAA clubs from every developed country, and some developing nations, who could come home to take part, and encourage friends/relations/work colleagues to travel as supporters. You should submit that idea to someone in the GAA.
@ Susie – you are becoming pathetic, annoying and repetitive by commenting on everyone’s posts. Get Netflix or a book…

People have good reason for returning to the country that threw them out on their ear, refuses to give emigrants any representation, insults them by calling them “plastic paddies” (and worse, at every opportunity) and only deems them good enough for lame money raising programs such as this.

drat! for NOT returning

My experience of Irish Americans is that they are disgusted by the multicultural cities of Ireland.
You only have to look at websites like irishcentral.com to see just how racist they are and disgusted that we arent religious anymore!

Case proven!

Ciara, I think readers only need look as far as your previous posts on the Journal to see how racist and disgusted YOU are, but now you’re pinning it on the American Irish! And there you go spewing your bigotry again with your tongue sticking out of your mouth expecting everyone to take your comments seriously. You’ve got the rest of us embarrassed by association bc the readership goes beyond this island nation. I love this country, it’s going through a f’d up time right now, but spewing hatred and prejudice isn’t going to get us further ahead.

Teo she’s always at it!! The negativity on this site is beyond anything I have ever witnessed!! Seriously considering deleting this app from my phone to free me from such negativity and begrudgery!!! Such bitter people! Ireland will never recover until we adopt a more positive outlook!!

Well said Teo!

Spot on, Starry Eyed!
I can only come on here every so often because the comments are all so negative and begrudging.

Seán, have you ever considered running for president??

Jaysus Sean, where do you live??

very true

True. This is a public forum, and people have a right to their opinion as long as it is not framed as a personal insult. Some of the commenters here who so stridently demand positivity are providing the worst imaginable advertisements for it. Susie Chester, may I suggest you seek help from the Three Billy-Goats Gruff? I’m sure your trolls would be well able to take it in good part.

So what do you the ‘ all-knowing ‘ individual claim to be the solution ?

I don’t claim to have the answers and increased tourism is a good thing, but it’s only ever going to be a drop in the ocean to the problems we face.
Stopping payments to bondholders, trimming the fat at the top and actually negotiating a debt write down would be a start but instead we get this initiative, job bridge, and extra taxes and cuts directed at those least able to afford them.
Then there’s also the issue of lack of representation for our emigrants and lack of support for those who work with those who haven’t the price of the flight as the song goes. But hey if you’ve got a few quid we’d love to see ya!

What a fool of a man, he is an embarrassment. What a to**er!

a lot of my mates went to oz and said no way will they come back there’s nothing for them only the dole why live on a shoe string when they can live the good life

I went to oz so glad I came back this country is so cheap!!!! The people are so nice there is so much Craic, I’m telling ya we may be in recession but this country knows how to keep its spirits up, oz was never in recession but it was as gloom as f**k and the cost, god so much ya could by in Ireland 5 or 6 times over oz!!!!

Conor Declan Black
A young lad I know `went to Oz and loves it there , he got sponsored out and he says it is exp but it is fantastic . He came back for a month to sell his car and to collect his dog …That does not sound so drab to me .

I’ve lost count of how many friends/acquaintances of mine are now are living abroad and they’ve all pretty much said the same thing to me. For the first 6 months to a year they’ll tell you that they’re never coming back, but after a year or two they’ve changed their tune. Anyone I know who’s been away for 2-3 years now would move home in a heartbeat if there was work here for them.

Why was my comment deleted? I didn’t use bad language , I didn’t mention anyone by name. Am I on a blacklist? I don’t take the piss out of anyone apart from Dave Higgins………..occasionally. C’mon man! It’s not China yet!

He’s asking them to visit Ireland nott to move back!!

hammer-nail-head Sean

I moved to London 15 years ago at the start of the so called boom, i miss home alot if i could return i would in a flash, but right now i cannot. Ireland is a fantastic country. One i miss alot.

A lot of people go to Australia cos they want to and would go even if times were good here. I know plenty who emigrated there at the height of the boom

Your so right so many people have left the country and not all ‘want’ to go, my own son is gone alone and I miss him very much and worry about him, its not all fun and games living in another country where you know nobody as Connor Declan Black said at beginning of thread. When the initial gloss wears off, lots would love to come home, but to what???

try the boat only 3 hours, 45 minutes if the fast one is running and bring tour own car if you have one

You know John I agree. I don’t know what’s the matter with folk on this blog but I am seriously thinking of deleting this app. I already no longer listen to joe Duffy btw. It just isn’t good to be saturated in so much negativity. This to me seems like a reasonable idea worth considering. As they say “better light a candle than sit and curse the dark”. I don’t think people really understand what is meant by this initiative. But I just wish they’d at least read the full article before coming out with these ridiculous comments.

Just for brief visits.. don’t go getting notions about staying here. Just bring your wallet and pick up a Fine Gael bumper sticker on your way back to wherever.

Actually John I don’t agree. Can’t stand Kenny but this idea may be worth considering. Target market would be American or australian folk who have an irish grandparent or great grandparent. So many records are available now with 1901 and 1911 census so a lot more people may be able to identify their Irish origins. Each community/family could do their own bit to promote it. With a bit of imagination it could be a great way to connect with our “distant” cousins.

I already know my ‘cousins’ Alison.

Well non nationals are coming in their droves must be something good.

Well Said Niall.

Do you really expect him too? I suppose all those other countries paid for your flights when you went there?

Niall
What is your point ? Of course the other country did not pay their air fare …. But Inda wants them to all return home to spend money ….what is their incentive ?

@susie the incentive is supposed to be aimed at people rediscovering their roots from the country they’re from and try and promote Ireland when they go there. The fact that people moan because he won’t pay for their flight is ridiculous

Yeah some incentive ! Thing is Niall . They talk about the number of unemployed being ”down” and that emmigration being a lifestyle choice and then expect the emmigrants to return with lots of cash to spend as tourists …… Not really fair is it !
I have lost complete faith in Everything that this government has to say and or offer. Liars and wasters .
Encourage real tourists by all means but not this !

@susie heritage tourism is one of the most popular forms of tourism worldwide. I’ve seen countless yanks in Donegal talking up about their ancestors when they haven’t a notion where they are! Point taken about the bluffing on the figures but you don’t necessarily have to like someone to agree with them? Enda and this government are like most politicians buffers but they are coming up with some pretty good ideas this being one of them. They let themselves down with the whole 5 point plan but that’s irrelevant to this argument. The Irish diaspora are currently our greatest resource. Our footprint truly is global possibly on a par with the Chinese on global reach. They’ve been abondoned and forgotten about for so long that every opportunity to welcome them home should be encouraged and not just in a money kind of way

He’s thinking of the extra tax take if all those who were forced to emigrate came home. Greed in disguise. If I could leave I would. Friends of mine have left and have no intention of ever coming back. Better quality of life to be had elsewhere at the moment

Niall
Last October A long lost relative of mine , her Husband , daughter and son in law came ”home” She was descended from a man who travelled to Alaska in the late 1840’s during / after the Great Hunger This man was one of my Grand father’s Uncles , they had lost touch as they all did back then ,but thanks to facebook I tracked them down and I am in daily contact with them and her brother in Canada, and his son in Colorado,others in Mississippi, Albuquerque, Chicago, Boston , NewYork, and Seattle . Some of them did not even know about each other til they ”met” on fb through me…Amazing stuff! But when my cousin came home last October it was not because Inda said so or that it might do us good …. no it was so that we could meet up and they could see where they came from.I get the whole finding their roots etc ., but for Kenny to be so cavalier is annoying , to say the least . Now I will not take up any more of your time it is very late and Apologies for moaning , but take it up with inda and tell him to stop annoying me :)

Very well put Susie Chester but as you know Inda he just is such an arrogant man that he thinks his ideas are the best ever but we all know he is just a G.S that really has no Skills aylt the Job he acquired through lies and more Fn lies

Learn to read.

…to do what ?

To boost tourism susie no need for the constant moaning

Niall
Do I know you ?
I know I do not know you so have some manners . Do not presume you casn tell me ”no need for constant moaning” I have never seen you post anything before so cop on to yourself boy .I am entitled tyo my comments , you are not obliged to respond :)

@ susie
No I haven’t had the privilege of meeting you however when you reply to so many posts in a sarcastic dismissive tone it becomes rather tedious to read. You talk about manners and than call me boy? I don’t have to respond but can and will at this stage

What are you then ? The idea that I dismiss anyone is laughable …. I do not have that power :)
I obviously irritate you so why answer me ? I am tired of the way I have been dismissed out of hand on this site , but I learn a lot by reading comments and asking questions And of course the articles themselves are mostly very informative .
The idea that Kenny can choose to invite emmigrants home to fill the coffers when it suits him , and no jobs to offer them here is laughable . The man is not for real . Lipservice , that is all and what of their families here ? How heartbreaking for them to have them return just to have thwem go away again …. Some lifestyle choice .

@ susie theres the things you say and there’s the way you say them! Something my mam taught me growing up! By all means take part in the debate however it would be more constructive if opinions were articulated rather than government this government that.( not quoting you there it just seems that’s what an awful lot of complaints are)
I think you’ve misread the article susie although he talks about bringing them home I don’t think he means permanently. Whilst yes he should be making it as attractive as possible for all the diaspora to return to work realistically neither him nor Gilmore not Adams can whisk up that amount of jobs in a year despite what they’d tell you! This is a tourism incentive and seen as over 9 million people worldwide can claim Irish ancestry aiming for a target of just 5% of them to visit Ireland could create jobs in the tourism sector

Yup Susie, you are moaner. Niall is spot on. All I see are comments where you bitch and whine. Do us all a favour and STFU for a bit will you? Cheers!

Report from abroad: I’m here in sunny California. We ride mountain bikes in the morning and go surfing in the afternoon. We drink lattes and everyone has an iPhone and some even have iPads with imbedded iPhones. We can shmoke the green stuff here ’cause anyone can get a medical card that allows it. I play the pipes under redwood trees, fer christs sake. It’s freaking idyllic. 74 degrees F EVERY DAY. You’d think you’re going mad. Women are skinny with boob jobs and REAL tans and the adult women wear as little clothing as Tallaght teenagers. You’d think you were at the freaking academy awards ceremony. These people out here are all lookin’ like movie stars. They hire color consultants for their eye makeup!
But Christ almighty are they self-absorbed whining little bleepity bleeps. . Completely full of horse leavings. It’s all on the outside and nothing on the inside, if you get my drift. I can’t wait to get back to rainy, noisy cold Dublin where I’ll live out my life in peace and contentment. Well, peace anyway. I try not to get too content. And with Enda at the helm, that should be no problem. Home, Enda, I’m coming home–a century after me dear old grannie Bridgie left Cobh. Wish me luck, fellas.

it’d be an expensive flight home from the moon for the gathering

The mans mad! Zak Dingle’s talking more sense than Enda !!

rodrigo detriano
Who is Zak Dingles ?

What do u mean – collect his dog ?? He’s not short of a few bob if he can afford to ship his dog to Australia. 2+ thousand dollars easily to do that alone. He can well afford to live in Australia so.

He is an ordinary car mechanic …He has a good outlook on life too and enjoys himself . Anyway the point I was making was lost on Declan ….Who felt homesick and that’s ok too because I would miss home too.

OK
Simple question people .Who is Zak Dingles ? I have never heard of him. Sorry !

Character in Emmerdale. I know that because I read quiz books ok ;)

Thanks Rommel
I do not think I have ever watched an episode myself … Good one for a quiz tho :) I am not a soap watcher !!

Zak Dingle is a member of EMMERDALE (Soap)

My sister took her dog with her to Oz it cost her €5000 it is expensive.

Haha. You know I have never walked along that boardwalk. Always say “next time”…so which are the no o areas nowadays?

Exactly! That’s why when I visit I can only take a max of 7-10days! Then when I visit the next time I say to myself “ah don be silly it wasn’t that bad. U will enjoy it”…then the next trip happens and it’s all doom a f-ing gloom!