New Diaspora Strategy 2026-2030 Targets 'Evolving' Global Irish Community of 70 Million
The Irish government has launched its Diaspora Strategy 2026-2030, a new policy framework with 23 commitments designed to support and engage the estimated 70 million people worldwide who claim Irish heritage or identity — a strategy developed after the largest-ever consultation with the diaspora, involving 10,000 respondents, and one that acknowledges a fundamental shift in the geography and character of Irish emigration.
Background
Ireland has one of the most extensive diasporas of any country in the world, relative to its population. The Great Famine of the 1840s and the subsequent waves of emigration that continued through the twentieth century created Irish communities in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and across the world. These communities have maintained strong connections with Ireland — through culture, language, sport, and family ties — and have been a significant source of political, economic, and cultural support for the country throughout its history.
The character of Irish emigration has changed significantly in recent decades. The traditional pattern — young people leaving rural Ireland for the cities of the United States or the United Kingdom, often never to return — has given way to a more complex and varied picture. Modern Irish emigrants are more likely to be highly educated, to maintain close connections with Ireland through technology and frequent travel, and to move between multiple countries over the course of their careers. The concept of the "global Irish" — people who are simultaneously Irish and citizens of the world — has become central to how the government thinks about the diaspora.
The previous diaspora strategy, published in 2020, set out a framework for engaging with the diaspora that has been broadly successful but that has been overtaken by events — particularly the significant increase in emigration from Ireland in recent years, driven by the housing crisis and the cost of living, and the growing importance of Australia as a destination for Irish emigrants.
Key Developments
The Diaspora Strategy 2026-2030 was developed after the largest-ever consultation with the Irish diaspora, involving 10,000 respondents from across the world. The consultation found that the diaspora's priorities have shifted significantly in recent years, with a growing emphasis on practical support — particularly for those who wish to return to Ireland — alongside the traditional focus on cultural connection and community support.
The strategy's 23 commitments cover a wide range of areas, including enhanced consular services for Irish citizens abroad, increased funding for Irish cultural organisations in diaspora communities, improved support for Irish emigrants who wish to return home, and a new programme of engagement with the "affinity diaspora" — people with strong connections to Ireland but no direct ancestral ties.
Minister of State for the Diaspora Neale Richmond acknowledged at the launch that the housing crisis and the cost of living are the primary barriers preventing Irish emigrants from returning home. "We know that many of the Irish abroad want to come home," he said. "We know that the housing crisis and the cost of living are the main things stopping them. This strategy commits us to working across government to address those barriers — not just to engage with the diaspora, but to create the conditions that make return possible."
Historian Diarmaid Ferriter, who has written extensively on Irish emigration, offered a more critical perspective, arguing that the strategy relies too heavily on "corporate soundbites" while failing to address the domestic issues that drive emigration and prevent return. Ferriter's critique reflects a broader debate about whether diaspora engagement strategies can be effective without fundamental changes to the domestic policy environment.
Why It Matters
The diaspora strategy matters for several reasons. At the most immediate level, it represents the government's commitment to maintaining and strengthening Ireland's relationship with the 70 million people worldwide who claim Irish heritage or identity. This relationship is a significant national asset — the Irish diaspora has been a source of political support, economic investment, and cultural influence that has benefited Ireland throughout its history.
The strategy's acknowledgement of the shift in emigration patterns is particularly significant. The growing importance of Australia as a destination for Irish emigrants — it has now overtaken the United States as the top emigration destination — reflects the changing opportunities available to young Irish people and the global nature of the modern labour market. The strategy's commitment to engaging with Irish communities in Australia and other non-traditional destinations is a recognition of this reality.
The "affinity diaspora" concept is also noteworthy. Ireland's cultural influence extends well beyond those with direct Irish ancestry — millions of people across the world have a strong connection to Irish culture, language, and identity without being able to trace their family tree to Ireland. Engaging with this broader community is a way of extending Ireland's soft power and cultural influence in a way that benefits the country economically and diplomatically.
Local Impact
The diaspora strategy has implications for communities across Ireland, not just for those with family members abroad. The return of Irish emigrants — if the barriers to return can be reduced — would bring skills, experience, and capital back to Irish communities, contributing to economic development and to the renewal of rural areas that have been depopulated by emigration over generations.
In counties like Mayo, Roscommon, and Leitrim — which have historically had the highest rates of emigration relative to their populations — the prospect of return migration is particularly significant. These counties have been working to develop the infrastructure and economic opportunities needed to attract returning emigrants, and the diaspora strategy's commitment to supporting return is a welcome signal of government intent.
What's Next
The government will publish an implementation plan for the Diaspora Strategy 2026-2030 within the next three months, setting out the specific actions, timelines, and resources associated with each of the 23 commitments. The Department of Foreign Affairs will establish a diaspora advisory council, drawing on representatives from Irish communities across the world, to provide ongoing input into the strategy's implementation. The first annual progress report will be published in early 2027, providing an assessment of what has been achieved in the strategy's first year.
