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Irish Abroad

RTÉ Broadcasts Live from London Irish Embassy to Celebrate Diaspora Cultural Ties in Centenary Year

RTÉ Radio 1 is broadcasting two flagship programmes live from London this week as part of its centenary celebrations, with the Arena programme airing from the Irish Embassy on June 11 featuring guests including Graham Norton and Bernard Butler. Later in the week, Céilí House will record a special programme at the London Irish Centre documenting the history of traditional Irish music in the city. The broadcasts celebrate the deep cultural ties between Ireland and its largest diaspora community.

Conor Brennan12 Jun 2026👁 3

Irish Abroad

Irish Community in United States Gripped by 'Sense of Vulnerability' as Immigration Enforcement Intensifies

Minister of State for Diaspora Neale Richmond has warned that the Irish community in the United States is experiencing a heightened 'sense of vulnerability' due to increased immigration enforcement, with both documented and undocumented Irish citizens reporting anxiety and a rise in mental health and addiction challenges. The situation follows a 330% increase in consular requests related to deportations in 2025, and the case of Donna Hughes-Browne — a documented Irish resident detained for months — has been raised in the Dáil as emblematic of the precarious situation facing Irish people in America.

Conor Brennan

6 min read12 Jun 2026

Irish Abroad

Irish Deportations Surge 272% as Diaspora Minister Warns of Mental Health Crisis Among New Emigrants

Government briefing documents have revealed a 272% surge in the number of Irish citizens being deported from overseas countries, with the United States accounting for 60% of cases. Meanwhile, Minister of State for the Diaspora Neale Richmond has warned that new Irish emigrants are becoming isolated 'quite quickly,' with consular officials reporting a marked increase in mental health and welfare cases among the diaspora.

Conor Brennan

6 min read11 Jun 2026

Irish Abroad

Canada Remains Top Destination for Irish Emigrants Despite Visa Quota Cuts as Professionals Seek Opportunities

Canada has emerged as the leading destination for Irish emigrants in 2026, with approximately 5,000 Irish people moving there annually despite a significant reduction in the International Experience Canada visa quota from 10,000 in 2023 to 3,800 in 2026. Construction, engineering and data centre development are among the sectors offering the strongest opportunities for Irish professionals, with many citing Canada's quality of life and career prospects as key attractions.

Conor Brennan

6 min read11 Jun 2026

Irish Abroad

New Irish Diaspora Strategy 2026-2030 Targets Emigrant Isolation and Consular Support

The Irish government has launched its Diaspora Strategy 2026-2030, a comprehensive plan to support Irish emigrants around the world, with a particular focus on tackling isolation among older emigrants and improving consular services for those in difficulty.

Conor Brennan

4 min read10 Jun 2026

Irish Abroad

Ukraine Reports 1,820 Ceasefire Violations as Russia Kills 27 in Widespread Attacks Despite Truce Proposal

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of rejecting a ceasefire through its actions, reporting 1,820 violations by the morning of 6 May despite Ukraine's proposal for a truce. At least 27 people were killed in widespread Russian attacks targeting energy infrastructure and residential areas.

Conor Brennan

5 min read7 May 2026

Irish Abroad

US-Iran Peace Talks Advance as Oil Prices Dip, But Military Strikes Continue to Threaten Fragile Diplomacy

Iran has confirmed it is reviewing a new US proposal to end the Middle East conflict, causing a temporary drop in oil prices and a rally in global markets. However, continued US military action in the Gulf of Oman and an Israeli airstrike on Beirut are threatening to derail the diplomatic process.

Conor Brennan

6 min read7 May 2026

Irish Abroad

Oil Prices Fall as US-Iran Deal Talks Progress and Trump Pauses Strait of Hormuz Escorts

Oil prices fell sharply on Wednesday as President Trump announced great progress in US-Iran negotiations and suspended military escorts through the Strait of Hormuz, providing temporary relief to global markets that have been rattled by months of conflict-driven energy price spikes.

Conor Brennan

5 min read6 May 2026

Irish Abroad

Three Dead as Hantavirus Outbreak Strikes Cruise Ship with Irish Passengers Aboard

A suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius has killed three people and left three others seriously ill, with two Irish passengers among those affected. Health officials are investigating how passengers were exposed to the virus, which is transmitted through contact with infected rodents and has a fatality rate of approximately 38%.

Conor Brennan

4 min read4 May 2026

Irish Abroad

Ukrainian Drones Strike Russian Oil Port and Three Shadow Fleet Tankers

Ukrainian sea drones have struck a key Russian oil port and three 'shadow fleet' tankers on the Black Sea, in a major blow to Moscow's sanctions-busting oil export industry. President Zelenskyy confirmed the attack, which is part of a campaign to cripple Russia's war economy.

Conor Brennan

4 min read4 May 2026

Irish Abroad

Iran Warns All Ships Must Coordinate with Its Forces in Strait of Hormuz or Face Attack

Iran has issued a stark warning that all ships in the Strait of Hormuz must coordinate with its forces or face attack, declaring the strait will not return to its pre-war state. The threat comes as the US prepares a mission to 'help free up' ships, starting Monday, dramatically raising tensions.

Conor Brennan

5 min read4 May 2026

Irish Abroad

US to Withdraw 5,000 Troops from Germany as Trump Threatens Deeper Cuts Amid Merz Feud

The Pentagon has announced the withdrawal of approximately 5,000 US troops from Germany within the next year, reducing the American military presence from 36,000 to 31,000. President Trump has threatened to cut 'a lot further' following a public feud with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who criticised the US approach to the Iran conflict as 'ill-considered'.

Conor Brennan

5 min read3 May 2026