Ireland Reaching Out, a nationwide Diaspora programme that connects people of Irish heritage around the world to their ancestral parishes and counties in Ireland, launched its new enhanced website this week.

This new international Irish Diaspora resource was announced by Jimmy Deenihan T.D., Minister for Diaspora Affairs at a reception at Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Headquarters, Iveagh House, Dublin

The new enhanced website was launched today by Ireland Reaching Out (Ireland XO). Ireland Reaching Out connects people of Irish heritage around the world to their ancestral parishes and counties in Ireland, enabling them to celebrate, and nurture, our shared cultural identity and heritage with local Irish communities.

The new website, IrelandXO.com, has a contemporary look and feel, and has been built using the latest in community engagement software. It offers every local community in Ireland an enhanced parish profile and platform from which to reach out to, and reconnect with their global Diaspora. The functionality beneath the design will enable new features and services to be offered. The new site has been built by Dara Creative, an award winning Dublin-based web design and consultancy agency.

The theme for the redesign of IrelandXO.com is “Awaken Your Irish Spirit”, which speaks to all of the global Diaspora – both the “Deep Diaspora” whose ancestors are long gone from Irish shores and also recent emigrants who can remain involved with their parish of origin while abroad, through the website.

Announcing the launch today, Minister Deenihan said:

“Ireland XO has been a pioneer in engaging our local communities to connect with the Irish Diaspora abroad.

The Ireland XO approach to bringing engagement with our Diaspora to the heart of our communities brings a very personal and meaningful aspect to this relationship. I am delighted that through support from the Emigrant Support Programme, the Government has been on this journey with Ireland XO.

I would like to congratulate the Ireland XO team on the launch of their new website which is a wonderful resource for everyone interested in Irish heritage. And I would also like to wish the team and the many committed Ireland XO volunteers continued success in their work.”

Chairperson and Founder of Ireland Reaching Out Mike Feerick said:

“The launching of the Ireland XO new website is a milestone for the organization. It will now be easier than ever for Irish parish-based volunteers and our Diaspora worldwide to connect. It is a foundation upon which we can build deeper long-lasting relationships between Ireland and its Diaspora.”

The launch took place in Iveagh House, Dublin and was attended by Ireland Reaching Out Volunteers, members of Government, National Library of Ireland staff, local County Council representatives and friends from all over Ireland and abroad.