THE MESSAGE is clear — the Irish must claim London’s 2012 games as their own.
Business and cultural leaders have launched their campaign to capitalise on the opportunities that the summer sporting event will bring.
The Irish Post has always endorsed the idea that its readers contribute positively to life in Britain while still retaining their own identity.
And so it is encouraging to see that an Irish Community Group has been set up in London to work with LOCOG (The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games) over the next two years to ensure that we benefit from what is being hailed as a momentous event in the life of these islands.
For many of us the 2012 Olympics will be the only Games many of us will see during our lifetimes in this part of the world — and it seems that we are willing to grab that with both hands.
Already we can see that Irish-owned construction firms are involved in the building of the Olympic site — in fact 6 per cent of the 9,164 people currently working on the Olympic Park are Irish. But there are still over 50,000 contracts available within the official construction scheme.
The Irish in Britain have always been good at recognising a valuable opportunity but what’s more we always offer invaluable skills, knowledge and a lot of hard graft in return.
And who knows, we may even see a medal or two in 2012 as well!
Documenting living history
PRAISE must go to Irish Oral History archivist Glenn Cumiskey and his army of volunteers who are painstakingly interviewing hundreds of Irish men and women who came to Britain from Ireland before 1960 about their experiences.
In just a couple of years this living history project, which is funded by the Irish Government Emigrant Support Programme, has grown from a small operation into one that is making a big impact.
What is most heartening to see is that among the volunteers who are helping to build this archive are people of all ages and walks of life — some with an Irish connection but others who simply have an interest in Ireland and it’s people.
The Irish Post has long recognised the value of such a project and has published portions of the collection in our Documenting Our Decades series.
We wish Mr Cumiskey and his volunteers every success with what will surely turn out to be a valuable resource and insight into our story here in Britain.
Keep supporting St. Pat’s Day
WHILE it might only be the beginning of February, Irish groups and organising committees up and down the land are calling for the community to come out and support next month’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities.
There are exciting additions to many of the festivals being held across Britain but without support they risk falling flat.
So, if it’s walking in your country colours in the parade or helping out with a float why not join in with the celebrations taking place in your town or city this year and show you’re keen to be green on St. Patrick’s Day.