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Thousands fleeing Ireland in new emigrant wave

By
DARA KELLY,
IrishCentral.com Staff Writer
Published Thursday, December 2, 2010, 2:30 PM
Updated Thursday, December 2, 2010, 2:30 PM

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Over 65,000 Irish have already emigrated


The latest figures for the 12 months to April 2010 show that about 65,300 people (about half of whom were Irish citizens) left Ireland over the last year. It's the highest rate of emigration from the Republic since 1989.

But unlike the previous periods of mass emigrations from Ireland in the 1950's and 1980's, this time those leaving are slightly older and vastly better qualified, armed with sough after skills and university degrees.

Ireland's new generation of emigrants are bound for worldwide jobs in IT, law and the financial sectors, but no longer on construction sites.

Mary Corcoran, a sociology professor at the National University of Ireland, told the press that new Irish emigrants are also less likely than previous generations to eventually return home.

"It's actually much easier now for people to maintain that psychological connection with home and their communities‚ they'll use Skype and Facebook in a way that's not been possible in the past," Corcoran  told the press.

Important national events like finals Gaelic football and hurling finals, soccer and rugby are now screened around the world on satellite TV, she said.

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8 Comments

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skydiver15000 | Jan 07, 2011, 01:01 PM EST
I dont mean to sound racist if that is the way this is sounding... but ever since Ireland joined the EU, I have found that the Irish have been losing their identity and culture.... I love Ireland and think it is one of the most beautiful countries I have had the pleasure of vivting and living in and hope in the near future to return to. Many of the people that are leaving are from other countries due to the bad ecconomy as are many illeagal immigrants leaving the U.S. going back to Mexico and other countries. But as for Ireland I would love to see this beautiful country regain its wonderful Irish culture that made it so awsome to visit!!!! Dia na hÉireann

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Cuanmara | Dec 05, 2010, 10:21 AM EST
It's sad that so many are leaving but I suspect it's economics that's the driver. I for one would like to make my home in Ireland and perhaps this economic downturn just might make the purchase of a home there a bit easier. As a retired individual I would take no one's job and yet be able to enjoy the land of my grandparents.

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sirpeter | Dec 01, 2010, 04:12 PM EST
Well things have changed Georgy boy,if people have to go then it should be the blow in's

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sirpeter | Dec 01, 2010, 04:08 PM EST
nygalwaygirl..it has to be a good thing that the foreigners are going,Irish people need those jobs now,those polish were sending the money home not spending it here,that's no good. I didn't say i was happy with the irish going.

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GeorgeDillon | Dec 01, 2010, 02:17 PM EST
nygalwaygirl: So you think it's great that the Irish emigrate from their country so that foreign migrants can settle it? You're a racist lunatic if that's what you think. How about we start forcing people to leave the US so that Chinese can come in and take over?

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GeorgeDillon | Dec 01, 2010, 02:14 PM EST
I thought you liked immigrants as long as they are white, SirPeter?

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nygalwaygirl | Dec 01, 2010, 10:13 AM EST
Oh, sirpeter. That's so stupid. And more than 30k Irish people are going off to become foreigners in another country.

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sirpeter | Dec 01, 2010, 08:33 AM EST
30,000 foreigners leaving a year,this is excellent news,every recession has a silver lining.

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