We are thrilled to welcome distinguished keynote speakers, Dr. Kristen Donnelly (MSW, M.Div, PhD) & Mr. Jordan Burnham, for our Lights in the Darkness public exhibit on September 22nd.
Click below to watch Dr. Donnelly’s TED Talks
Lights in the Darkness: About our artists
Press Release: Community art workshops
Community art workshops where those affected by personal mental health struggles or loss of a loved one due to mental health stresses will build life-size lantern figures
PHILADELPHIA - The Irish Diaspora Center of Philadelphia (IDC) will host the inaugural “Lights in the Darkness” community workshop program throughout September with a final exhibit on September 22, 2022.
Lights in the Darkness project, sponsored by the IDC, is designed to raise awareness, spark the conversation, and reduce the stigma of mental health issues that lead to suicidality. The project responds to those needs in significant and highly visible ways. The goals of this program are to:
• bring a voice to the epidemic of suicide and reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues, including depression, addiction, grief, and suicidality
• offer a therapeutic art project and community of support to those affected by suicide through sculpture build and display of the community of lantern figures
• raise funds for mental health programs in the community
“This project has been a dream of ours for the last two years and I’m thrilled that the IDC can bring it to life now with the help of our tremendous partners. Coming through COVID, we’ve seen a large increase in mental health needs throughout all communities. This epidemic impacts people from every walk of life and our project helps all create a community of support,” says Emily Norton Ashinhurst, Executive Director of the Irish Diaspora Center.
Workshops for the project are taking place all over the Philadelphia area including Havertown, Gladwyne, Yardley, Downingtown, Jenkintown, and Claymont, DE. With the final exhibit taking place at Dilworth Park at Philadelphia City Hall, all of the five counties are included. Workshop partners are vital, and we are grateful to all who have given us space to bring this important project to all areas of the Philadelphia community.
St. Christopher’s Church in Gladwyne, PA is one of those locations. The Rev. Dr. Hillary Raining stated, “Being able to lift others through the Lights in the Darkness project is meaningful to our congregation. Mental health illness affects everyone, regardless of religion, race, gender, or other metrics that can be used to separate us these days. Some of our parishioners experience mental health struggles firsthand and to be able to offer this project as an outlet is powerful”
Lights in the Darkness is for all affected by mental health illness, whether their own or a loved one’s struggle. Participants will work with artist Tom Meskell to create life-size, wire sculptures covered in paper and varnish, and lit from within. The sculptures will then be installed for a public ceremony and exhibit scheduled for Thursday, September 22, 2022, to coincide with Suicide Awareness Month. The exhibit is set to take place at Dilworth Park at Philadelphia’s City Hall. It will display more than 100 life-size lantern figures to light the night and create an emotionally powerful exhibition.
For more information, visit icphila.org/lights-in-the-darkness
Career Opportunity
Career Opportunity: Skilled labor wanted in Delaware County
Coatings & Polishing Installer - full-time
Installation of concrete coatings, concrete polishing systems; Installation of underlayments & toppings; Training provided; Some travel is required - expenses paid
For more information, email alanna@icphila.org or call 610-789-6355
Travel Guidance
The Government of Ireland's latest rules for travelling to Ireland, including requirements related to:
PLF (passenger locator forms)
Testing
Vaccination
There have been inquiries related to individuals landing in the Republic of Ireland (ROI) and traveling to Northern Ireland (NI) in the coming weeks. I contacted the Northern Ireland Bureau for feedback on the issue. Please see the following:
Anyone traveling to NI via Dublin must follow the rules set out in this nidirect link.
However, as stated towards the end of the above NI guidance, they must also follow the relevant parts of the ROI regulations HERE. Relevant parts include:
Compliance with the pre-travel testing requirements set out in this ROI guidance for vaccinated or unvaccinated status;
Completion of relevant parts of the ROI PLF in addition to the NI PLF;
Individuals need to keep checking the NI guidance regularly before they travel as it can change very quickly in response to changing circumstances on the ground.
As previously shared, Irish citizens outside the EU, who have been vaccinated for COVID-19, may apply for the EU Digital COVID Certificate, IF:
They hold a valid Irish passport;
Are at least 18 years of age;
Received an authorized vaccine & have documentation
More info here: EU Digital COVID Certificate Self Service Portal
In Memorium
Spotlight on Edel MacBride, 2019 Straight Out Of Ireland Artist
Design N’ Ambition the key fabric of Edel’s Success
Edel MacBride is an award-winning designer, entrepreneur, philanthropist and more. Having been involved in the craft and design industry since the tender age of 11, (to source funds for a trip to Dublin!) craft is in her DNA.
Edel’s story about business, the industry, involvement in a host of initiatives in the North West City Region (Donegal and Derry/Strabane districts), the award winning #PledgeScrubs campaign and support for initiatives like #BuyDonegal, is a fascinating one.
‘’I was lucky to following my dream of getting into Art School at LYIT. Back then courses involved lots of expensive materials and the 80s were a challenging time. But I had a focus and an eye for fashion, which thankfully has stayed with me.’’ This is something of an understatement considering throughout her career, Edel has consistently developed her own ideas and designs, to international acclaim. A further LSAD qualification at LIT in Limerick and early business training at Ulster University gave a solid grounding for her future success in design and business.
One of the earliest initiatives was developing a retail business in the city of Derry in 1989, and proudly the craft village connection remains over 30 years on. The benefit of getting instant feedback from customers was extremely valuable and as Edel jokes ‘’especially during the 90s in Derry, no-one spared your feelings!’’
Edel has achieved and evolved quite a bit since then. ‘’One of, and still is, our biggest events was the Showcase Ireland Trade Fair with a base of both Irish and International Retailers, it was hard work but great fun too. You’d want three heads to talk to buyers at times!’’ She’s been involved in countless fashion shows and saw a growing appreciation for Irish made designs, with a key catalyst being the recession of the late noughties.
During that time she started Knitfield, classes to act as a voice of inspiration to educate people to make their own garments. This led to the development of cultural experiences for visitors, which in turn led to the development of core tours in knitting experiences partnering with a leading Irish tour operator.
Collaboration has always been something inherent in Edel. She’s worked with models and founders such as Donegal’s own Faye Dinsmore to develop a clothing range, forms part of the Creative Coast, a collective of the creative sector in Donegal, and recently appointed to the Board of Directors with the Design and Craft Council of Ireland (DCCI), its only North West representative.
In the North West City Region she’s involved in a co-operative of craft making entrepreneurs from Donegal, Derry and Tyrone. She’s also a leading voice within the Culture Strategy for Derry City and Strabane Council and a key participant at the annual Milwaukee Irish Festival and Summer School, which has a strong connection to the Donegal and the North West.
‘’Growing up at times I wondered why my parents gave so much time to volunteering. I now know why’’ The #Pledgescrubs campaign started in March 2020 when Edel contacted Ray Doherty at Moville Shirts. Both were firmly committed to ensuring front line workers did not have to ‘buy’ scrubs for work. Their tireless dedication saw them raise €85,000 from over 4,000 contributors and make national news for delivering scrubs across the Island of Ireland to HSE and NHS staff. The campaign has received national acknowledgment through Today FM and recently Edel received an ‘’Above and Beyond’’ award from the Donegal Association for this work.
Edel’s dedication to all things local also saw her become a key contributor to the inaugural #BuyDonegal campaign in 2020. ‘’This came about very suddenly as I’d been focusing on launching a new website that was more relatable to my online audience in lock down. The Pandemic redefined ‘community’ and helped broaden the campaign’s appeal. During the campaign my website traffic and sales were good and for me it was important that the #BuyDonegal message reflected a quality standard my customer expects’’
Edel (unsurprisingly) has plenty of ideas for #BuyDonegal 2021 with competitions and different hashtags all considerations. ‘’For me it’s good to keep the content entertaining too. Shopping should have a recreational feel. There was great collaboration between companies involved last year and I’m sure that will be the case this year too.’’
#BuyDonegal takes place from 5th November – 31st December 2021. The official campaign launch webinar is on Wednesday October 27th for which you can Register Here
< Ends >
THE IRISH DIASPORA EDUCATION ALLIANCE WELCOMES APPLICATIONS FOR IRISH UNIVERSITY STUDY
Celtic Classic Irish Soda Bread Contest
Celtic Classic Irish Soda Bread Contest
BETHLEHEM, Pennsylvania — Do you have a favorite recipe for Irish soda bread? Enter the Celtic Classic Irish Soda Bread Contest to win a blue ribbon, prizes and bragging-rights on September 25, 2021, at Celtic Classic Highland Games and Festival in Bethlehem.
Open to amateur bakers and sponsored by King Arthur Flour, the Irish soda bread contest has no fee to enter. The top three contestants in the adult category will be awarded gift certificates in the amounts of $75, $50, and $25, respectively, to Kingarthurflour.com. The top three youth under 18 will be awarded a $40 gift certificate, $25 gift certificate, and a King Arthur tote bag (respectively.) Deadline to receive registrations is September 11, 2021.
The soda bread will be scored based on taste, overall appearance, creativity and texture by three judges: Patricia Rice, owner of Victorian Delights and Superintendent of the Farm to Table Stage at The Great Allentown Fair; Ken Walsh, President of the Lehigh County Division 1 Ancient Order of the Hibernians; and Kim DeLuca, a nurse and amateur baker.
For more information about the Irish soda bread contest or to download the registration form, visit https://www.celticfest.org/celtic-classic-irish-soda-bread-contest/ or contact Marcie Mulligan at mmulligan@celticfest.org.
Celtic Classic runs from Friday, September 24 through Sunday, September 26, 2021, in downtown historic Bethlehem. For more information, directions, volunteering opportunities and the weekend’s schedule, log on to www.celticfest.org. For up-to-the-minute information and updates, follow Celtic Classic on Twitter (@CelticClassic) and friend them on Facebook (facebook.com/CelticClassic).
Marcie Mulligan
Director of Cultural Education
902 4th Avenue, Suite 2, Bethlehem, PA 18018
610-868-9599
St. Patrick's Day Parade Association Golf Outing
IDC Executive Director to chair panel at Irish Campfire
Our Executive Director, Emily Norton Ashinhurst, will be chairing a dynamic panel, "Irish America Giving Back: A Shoulder to Lean on for The Irish Diaspora", at The Irish Echo's 2021 Big Irish Campfire on August 27th.
Attend in person or virtually! Click below for all details.
Diversity Lottery 2022
Free Naturalization Preparation Class this September
May is Mental Health Month
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the mental health of people of all ages. Now, more than ever, it is critical to reduce the stigma around mental health struggles, because that stigma often prevents individuals from seeking help. Click HERE for resources.
Our CHAT Committee has raised funds to launch and maintain a counseling program for community members. Click HERE to learn more.
Chester County Emergency Rent and Utility Assistance Program
Announced on April 16, 2021 by the Chester County Department of Community Development (CCDCD).
What it is: This program serves renters in Chester County who are behind in rent or utilities due to COVID-19. This program has no citizenship requirement. This program is funded by the US Treasury and Chester County has received over $34 million to assist renters in our community. According to the CCDCD there may be programs at a later date for homeowners. Gateway Medical Associates will follow and announce updates as we receive them.
Funding will serve individuals and families that are obligated to pay rent and meet the following three criteria:
1. Qualify for unemployment or have experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19.
2. Demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
3. Have a household income at or below 80 percent of the area median. See examples of area median below (For additional income thresholds, see checklist linked below. Income limits are subject to change per guidance from the federal government).
Area Median Income Guidelines:
Family of 1 = $54,150/year
Family of 4 = $77,300/year
How to access the program:
Dial 2-1-1and press 2 for “Homelessness and Housing Crisis”, press 2 for “Chester County’, finally press 2 for “Emergency Rental Assistance Program.” You will talk with a helper familiar with the program. You will need to provide various documents. Below is a link for a checklist of items you will need.
Unfortunately, our offices are unable to help with this process. Please call or use the link below for assistance.
Application checklist link:
https://www.chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/62656/Chester-County-ERAP-Applicant-Checklist
Link to webinar explaining who is eligible:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HDfnQG342Y
Return of senior lunches
A Balancing Act
The young professional’s guide to mental health while remote working and career planning
Remote working has unique challenges that are different from working in an office. Adapting as a young professional can be taxing, so how do you manage it?
Click HERE to read more.
Intention to Retain Irish Citizenship
Under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 as amended, the Minister for Justice has the power to revoke a certificate of naturalisation where an individual has been ordinarily resident outside of the State for seven years after naturalisation, unless;
They have registered annually in the prescribed manner their name and a declaration of an intention to retain Irish citizenship with an Irish diplomatic mission or consular office or with the Minister.
You must complete a “Declaration of Intention to Retain Irish Citizenship” if you reside outside of Ireland, by completing Form 5 annually.
Please complete this form if;
You became an Irish Citizen through naturalisation
If you have taken up residence outside of Ireland following naturalisation
Make sure you use the most recently published version of each form when making an application or declaration. If you complete an old version of a form, it will be returned to you and you will have to start again.
Click HERE for Intention to Retain Irish Citizenship form.
Clash of the Counties 2021
We're all proud of our roots. Whether drawn to the beautiful scenery, the fabulous food, or the friendly folks, Ireland holds a special place in the hearts of many. But beyond what the country has to offer, each county has a unique flair making those claiming ties back sure that their county is the best.
Once you've donated, share your support on Facebook as well as your favorite story or photo from your county. Click HERE to support your favorite county!
