Parishes reach out to diaspora

SIX Clare parishes are participating in a unique pilot project aimed at helping people of Clare heritage abroad connect with the parish from where either they or their ancestors first originated.
The Clare Ireland Reaching Out (IRO) Project is being rolled out on a pilot basis in Tulla, Kilrush, Ballyvaughan, Clarecastle/Ballyea, Kildysart and Kilmaley.
The Irish Government-sponsored initiative is a reverse genealogy project based on the idea that instead of waiting for Irish diaspora, especially Irish Americans, to come back to Ireland to trace their roots, that communities or parishes would take the initiative and proactively search for and link with their diaspora instead.
Community representatives from the six participating Clare parishes have commenced an eight-week training programme at the Clare Adult Education Centre in Ennis. The training programme includes modules on genealogy, heritage and tourism, website design, development and maintenance and event management. This training is funded under the Leader Programme.
Mayor of Clare Councillor Pat Daly said it has the potential to deliver long-term benefits to local parishes and communities.
“These six parishes are investing significant time, energy and resources into this project as they will be required to carry out parish, emigrant and graveyard surveys. The surveys will provide a genealogy database from which local parish diaspora can be invited to connect with or visit the parish during the Week or Weekend of Welcomes. This includes inviting their overseas Diaspora back to their community to attend such an event,” he revealed.
Over the coming weeks participants from Tulla, Kilrush, Ballyvaughan, Kildysart, Clarecastle/Ballyea and Kilmaley will develop a genealogy website presence and system to enable them to deal with any genealogy queries they may receive.
According to Catherine O’Hara, Tourism and Community Development Department, Clare County Council, the local communities will also be able to use the website to market and promote local heritage attractions and events to a global audience.
“To ensure long-term sustainability of the project, the parishes will be encouraged to network with each other and their overseas diaspora in order to build up and maintain business opportunities and business relationships,” she explained.
Ms O’Hara said the project will be reviewed following the completion of the pilot programme with a view to rolling out phase two of the programme later on in 2013, which will offer opportunities for more parishes to get involved.
Further information is available James Conlan (Clare County Council) at 065 6846511 or  jconlon@clarecoco.ie.