THE 'IRISH-CANADIAN' COMMUNITY in IRELAND and NORTHERN IRELAND
The constituent groups of this community are easy to identify.
Less certain is the number of Canadians involved, as explained below.
It is estimated that there are roughly
5,000 Canadians living in Ireland at any one time.
In addition to Canada's diplomatic representatives, there are:
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a number of Canadians employed in
the Irish operations of Canadian and other financial services,
business and professional firms; |
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a larger 'academic' group - many
students and a small number of academics; and |
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the largest group of all, Irish and
Canadian individuals and families linked by diverse Irish-Canadian
backgrounds and connections. |
Why the uncertain numbers?
Official Registrations with the Canadian Embassy in Dublin provide a limited focus
for knowing how many Canadians live in Ireland at any one time, since registering with the Embassy is voluntary and not all Canadians living in Ireland register with the Embassy.
There is no comparable focus for Northern Ireland. And, except for
those included in the membership lists of the various Irish-Canadian
organizations, there is no structured focus for the Irish members
of the Irish-Canadian community.
Not all Canadians living in Ireland register with the Embassy.
And not all who leave permanently advise the Embassy when they depart.
This is unfortunate since such registration is important to the
Embassy's ability to provide services in a wide variety of circumstances.
It is also important to the Embassy's ability to project the Canadian
presence in Ireland and Canadian academic, business, cultural and
other connections with it. That task is made all the more challenging
by Ireland's membership in and focus on the European Union and by
Ireland's large number of historical, business and tourist connections
with the US.
Canadian ex-pats who want a strong Canadian profile in Ireland
should register with the Embassy and keep their contact data up-to-date
with it.
And Canadian tourists should prominently 'show the flag' through
Canadian flag and other maple leaf insignia - bag tags, pins, iron-on
crests and even umbrellas.
(See About ICS to learn about
the Irish Canadian Society's efforts to provide opportunities for
individual and family fellowship for all members of the Irish Canadian
community and to promote awareness of the Irish and Canadian cultures
and Irish-Canadian connections.)
Those planning an Irish holiday should have a look at the Footprints
section of this site.
Those interested in moving to Ireland or Northern Ireland will
find the various sub-sections of Living
in Ireland useful.)
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