It’s a year since Donegal Government TD Joe McHugh was appointed Minister for the Diaspora. In this article for Donegal Daily he reflects on 12 months in the role.
“My feet may wander a thousand places, but my heart will lead me back home to my Donegal”..
This song ‘My Own Donegal’ rings in my ears as I continue to meet ambitious, clever and hard-working Donegal people in my current role as Minister for Diaspora.
So many Donegal people are in so many places, doing so well, contributing, excelling and influencing. And not just in the traditional places of London, Queens, Yonkers and Philadelphia. The Donegal passion is alive and well elsewhere.
Let’s look at Kenya. Derek Roulston of Newtoncunningham is helping to shape the development of the potato crop, second to Maize. And then there’s Pat McMullen from Donegal Town who is helping the Government of Kenya to shape modern fisheries legislation.
And then there’s the indirect stuff. Donegal people have a track record in helping out in their own quiet wee way. They have ‘form’ as the man says! Quite a number of Donegal property developers in New York and London assist the transformative work of Father Padraig Devine at the Shalom Center for Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation in Nairobi. Padraig, albeit a Roscommon man gained his Donegal credentials and notoriety through playing gaelic football with Donegal in New York! This support is assisting the ‘Shalom’ team in their efforts to bring peace to many parts of Eastern Africa.
“We’ll kneel and pray there for the ones that are gone, and hope they’re proud of their wandering son…”
What’s the craic back home? The chat always returns to home, the Parish, the GAA, what’s your man at now? Did he ever get married? The connection never leaves and the burning desire to go back for a small period or permanently is always there.
And then you meet the young woman from Gortahork who can’t go home. A feeling that can be best described in the swelling of the eyes, ‘agus na deora’ (the tears) and no words. No words are needed. Fear of loved ones passing away, missing weddings, grandchildren meeting grandparents without the parents.
This is a tight situation for a lot of Donegal people and throughout Ireland who find themselves without residency status in the United States. The issue of the ‘undocumented’ will remain as a top priority of this Irish Government in the days ahead.
“The lights of London are far behind…. “.
Over a game of ’25’ in Southwark, London recently I had a good chat with people from Counties Clare and Laois. They were telling me I need to go to Luton to meet the Donegal folk! Probably the case for a certain demographic.
Today, the Donegal people are on projects like CrossRail, in many capacities from Legal to Civil from Accounting to Quantity Surveying and not to forget the Tunnel Tigers from Árainn Mhór who continue to make their presence felt.
The common denominator is the work ethic. Donegal people are not shy of the work.
Many are brought up with work and knowing the value of work. Gathering spuds, crab fishing, winning the turf, saving the hay, milking the cows was as good an apprenticeship as you’d get.
And throw into the mix the sense of awareness or in Donegal lingo, ‘cop on!’ The Donegal person is still integral to the advancement of modern Britain.
“Familiar places come into view, I see my home now and soon I’ll see you..”
Where you from? Do you know such and such a person? One degree of separation at all times. Connecting and reconnecting is so important. The Donegal Diaspora Project through Donegal County Council is playing its part; reaching out to our friends and kin. There are the Tip O Neill awards, celebrating the success.
And physically, we still need to remain focused. The A5 and Lifford/Letterkenny and Ballybofey roads will remain the main access priority over the next few years.
Donegal Airport at Carrickfin is an essential cog in our communication architecture; making it easier for people to come home.
The airport is also connecting west Donegal to Glasgow and ensuring a vibrant link to an evolving Wild Atlantic Way. And not forgetting our Donegal based Diaspora at home. The Donegal Association has always provided that foothold and connection to Dublin. And with the recent launch of the Donegal Dublin Business Network (DDBN) the strengthening of those ties will continue.
“The thoughts of homeland are crowding my mind…”
And, while land and sea may separate us , there is so much that glues us together. Our unique culture, heritage, language and identity. Cé gur fhág na daoine uilig (even though the people left) Níor fhág an cúltur, an oidhreacht nó an teanga iadsan uilig ( the culture, heritage nor language didn’t leave the people). Hundreds of people are learning ‘Gaeilge’ in Canada, San Francisco, Sydney, Glasgow and London.
In commemorating the 1916 rising last year it was a reminder to us all that our Irish identity was a cornerstone in the fight for independence. Roger Casement embodied that spirit through his support for Colaiste Uladh in Gort a’ Choirce and his own attempts to learn the Irish language during a six month stint in Donegal which took him to Urris, Portsalon, Gort a’ Choirce and Tory Island.
Donegal people hold their connection to the past dearly and take their responsibility as custodians of our language and culture very seriously indeed. Or in Donegal parlance, they don’t treat it lightly. This is reflected abroad in so many ways.
The Irish Fest in Milwaukee attracts upwards on half a million people each year over a long weekend in August. And in New York a partnership approach will see the incredible construction of a new building for the New York Irish Arts Center.
The Irish Cultural Centre in London will soon see the official opening of their magnificent new building in Hammersmith.
And back home, the reopening of the Amharclann Theatre in Gaoth Dobhair just a few miles from the airport will provide the stage for our continued celebration of Dance, Music, Song and Drama.
It will set the scene for groups such as Céim Aniar in Na nDunaibh to show case the drama excellence that has been developing over the years under the able stewardship of Francie Cullen. And a dedicated team at Oideas Scéal in Gleann Cholm Cille will continue to be a key part of the intriguingly interwoven Donegal story.
The Donegal story is no longer a County-based story. It’s a rich international story, outwardly looking and with a serious ‘can do’ attitude.
No longer suffering from the shackles of political and economic partition, continued momentum in building relations with our Derry/Tyrone/Fermanagh neighbours and where Ulster Rugby Coaches and players come to summer camps in Letterkenny. Peace in our region has been a God-send. And the protection of the gains is a key objective of the European Union.
In a world of fear, protectionism and inward looking motivation this attitude has never been more important. This is our time. This is Donegal time.
“We’ll talk to the old folk and how they’re getting on, we’ll treat them to late nights and sing a few songs, we’ll talk to the neighbours and life in the town, there’s so much to tell them, the days fly around….This is my homeland, the place I was born in, and no matter where I go it’s in my soul, my feet may wander a thousand places, but my heart will lead me back home to my Donegal. Yes, my heart will lead me back home to my Donegal”
On a personal note I want to thank all the many Donegal people and people connected with Donegal I’ve met abroad over the past nine months. Too many to mention and each one all inspiring in their own way. I want to thank all of them for keeping the Donegal flag flying and for their continued investment in humanity. A former Principal of Loreto Convent Milford – my old Alma Mater (Loreto Community School today) encapsulates this Donegal spirit. The first Principal arrived in 1967 as a young woman and was at the helm for three years before departing for Africa. Today, Sr Mary Owens runs a home and an Irish Aid funded laboratory for 124 children and teenagers living with HIV in Nairobi, Kenya.
Lastly, can I thank Tom Wheeler, Alice Kennedy and Bridget Walsh for their wonderful rendition of ‘My own Donegal’ in London recently. You inspired me to go and learn it. You inspired me to pass it on to my children. And, you inspired me to realise that our connection to the past is strong and we have a duty to keep it strong.
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