by Terry Reilly
Seeking the Vote for Expats
You may not believe it, dear readers, but it is impossible for an Irish citizen to vote in an Irish election if you are not present on the Emerald Isle on the day of the vote. Go away on holidays or follow your job (which might only be a temporary position) and you cannot vote in a referendum, a general election or a Presidential election here.
So it is with great delight I can tell you of the Irish community in London who have come together to launch a campaign calling for the right of Irish citizens abroad to vote in elections in the Republic of Ireland. Called Votes for Irish Citizens Abroad (VICA), the campaign is fighting for the same rights enjoyed by citizens of at least 115 countries throughout the world.
Group chairperson, Professor Mary Hickman, explained the group was motivated both by general principles and by recent events in Ireland. She said: “We believe it is only fair that Irish passport holders should have the same rights enjoyed by citizens of many other countries, including, for instance those in Britain and the USA who make special arrangements for their citizens to vote in their elections.
“But we also believe it is particularly appropriate at this time to press for these rights, because of the large numbers of people who are being forced to leave Ireland through no fault of their own—because of the economic crisis brought on by others. These people are being penalized three times over—they have lost their jobs or have no chance of getting one, maybe their homes and when they are forced to leave to look for work they are told they are losing their right to vote as well.”
In the immediate future, the campaign will be concentrating on arguing for the right to vote in the forthcoming Irish Presidential election in October. Professor Hickman added: “Former President Mary Robinson lit a candle in her window to remember the Irish who had left and as a message to the Irish diaspora. We say Irish citizens everywhere should have the right to say who should light such candles in the future. But our long-term goal is for the right of all Irish citizens to vote in elections for the Dáil (Irish Parliament).”
I am sure there must be many Irish citizens living in America who would love to add their weight to this worthy endeavor. See www.votesforirishcitizensabroad.com for more.
Queen and
Obama Visits Timely Boost
With one of the most afflicted EU economies due to the worldwide recession, coupled with the most expensive bank bailout in history, it’s well known that Ireland has had plenty of press attention in recent times due to the poor state of its economy. A lot of bad news, unfortunately.
However, some good news and a very timely boost in overseas tourism, has been provided by the visits to Ireland by three major heads of state in April and May. In April, Prince Albert of the principality of Monaco and his fiancée made an official state visit to Ireland fifty years after his mother, Grace Kelly, and father, Prince Rainier, made an official visit. Prince Albert visited Newport, County Mayo, ancestral home of the Kellys.
Then, in May, the international media featured Ireland extensively when Queen Elizabeth II visited for the first time, followed quickly by a visit by President Obama, who traced the roots of his family, the Kearneys, in the South Offaly village of Moneygall.
The focus of the media was not only on the symbolic significance of these visits to the Irish people, but also focused on the beautiful attractions and scenery just waiting to be explored in Ireland, and the warmth and friendliness of the Irish people.
The Queen’s visit marked the first time to Ireland by the head of the Royal Family since 1911. The visit of the head of the Royal Family shows that Ireland’s relationship with the UK has never been closer, nor more important. The common bonds of trade, growth and employment are so critical in these harsh economic times to both countries.
Industry experts are hopeful the visit will provide a much-needed boost for Irish tourism. The UK has always been Ireland’s strongest non-domestic market, and whilst US visitors have been dropping in recent years, 2010 saw a strong improvement, with the final quarter showing number of visits from North America up by 13.9%.
Mona Lisa’s Irish Links
An iconic woman who is recognized worldwide and has been seen by millions of people, has an Irish connection, according to new research. The woman behind the famous Renaissance portrait, “Mona Lisa,” by Leonardo Da Vinci, is believed to have been Mona Lisa Gerhardini, the wife of an Italian silk merchant from Florence. A branch of this family ended up as the historical Fitzgerald family of Kildare.
Back in 1056, a man called Dominus Other Gerhardini decided to travel to Normandy along with a caravan of Norman Knights. He joined in the invasion of England and after the Battle of Hastings in 1066, was gifted some land. His descendants settled in Ireland about a century later and became known as the Fitzgeralds.
Letters between the family in Kildare and the family in Florence passed back and forth until the 1500’s. In 1506, three years after the Mona Lisa portrait was painted, the Earl of Kildare wrote to the family of the Gherardini and signed off as “Chief in Ireland of the family of Gherardini, Earl of Kildare.” Gerald is the Norman form of Gherardini.
Monsignor
Horan Remembered
On May 5 in Mayo, we marked the centenary of the birth of the remarkable Monsignor James Horan, the man who brought the pope to Ireland in 1979 and built Knock Airport, with a DVD shot on location in the West of Ireland, and featuring the best music from the show On a Wing and a Prayer-The Musical.
It is now available to order from Mayo Roscommon Hospice, Knock, Co. Mayo, Ireland. The cost is 14.99 euro plus 8 euro p&p and can be ordered also via the hospice website, www.hospice.ie, which has paypal facilities. For more details, see www.wingandprayermuscal.com. You can also see the trailer for the 95 minute DVD on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJnMsrdMXQw&feature=share.
Until next time, slan.
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