EuropeanIrish.com News Stories

More Irish people head to Europe, than to UK or USA

Cork Ireland, January 23rd 2008

A recent report by the CSO indicates that between the years 2006 and 2007, at least 25% of all Irish Emigrants settled in Continental Europe (CSO Population/ Migration Report December 07).
This is greater than those travelling to the UK 23.9%, and more than 3 times greater than the percentage travelling to the USA, both the traditional destinations for Irish emigrants.
It is estimated that approximately 300,000 Irish people have made their homes across Europe, and with 3.5 million trips by Irish residents to the Continent in 2006, Ireland’s relationship with her European neighbours has deepened considerably.
The Irish emigrants have settled in their new countries, raised families, and have sown the roots of future generations. As in the past, they have brought with them the wealth of culture that is unique to the Irish, a tradition long since enjoyed in both England and the States. A testament to this is the increasing number of Irish Clubs and Societies that have grown up across Europe, catering for both the Irish and native Europeans all of whom have a shared love of Irish Culture, Sport and Music.
For those interested in the Irish Scene across Europe, there is one unique central point – EuropeanIrish.com.
The brainchild of well travelled Irishman, Siasy Collins, this website is the focal point for all the information one needs to enjoy the Irish scene across Europe.
For the past 5 years the site has been managed on a part-time basis. Since May 2007, however, the emphasis has been on upgrading the existing site, to provide Irish in Europe with the opportunity to connect with other Irish in Europe, and with similar interests.
Siasy Collins, Editor & Publisher, EuropeanIrish, having been based in Europe himself, and involved in the local Irish scene there, explained that Irish people in Europe - want to find where to watch the All-Ireland or Heineken Cup, and where to find Irish Dancing Schools, Bands, Festivals, Irish Sports & Social Clubs, The Irish Embassy, and a choice of more than 2200 Irish Pubs across the Continent, when any local Irish Entertainment or Sport Events are on, and European Irish News.
“The new look Europeanirish.com has a lot of new benefits for visitors. The website is easy to use & navigate. You can build your profile and meet others through M I N E, which is My Irish Network in Europe. You can also chat with others, create a personal story and add events, items or news”, Siasy added.
Irish in Europe can always feel close to home, with the short and lower cost flights, and now through this website one can tune-in live online to over 50 Irish Radio stations, and download free music, supplied by Irish bands based at home and in Europe.

With thousands visiting the website daily, EuropeanIrish.com has something added for everybody, whether you’re an Irish person living in Europe or planning travel to Europe, or whether you’re from Continental Europe, enjoying Irish music, culture, sports or pubs.
Do you know any Irish person in Europe? Let them know today.
Are you planning a trip there for a vacation, on business, to study or to live?
The Next step is simple – just click on www.EuropeanIrish.com, browse the site, stay a while and enjoy it.
– Ends –

Wouldn’t it be great to hear more about top Irish sports stars who are competing for Ireland all across the Continent.

EuropeanIrish.com will feature any sport and all age groups too, if you are Irish and competing in Europe – you are just as important as the Irish Senior soccer team or Munster Rugby, or the Olympic Athletes.EuropeanIrish.com wants to hear from you all - simply visit http://www.europeanirish.com/ News and add the News story.

or maybe you are based in Europe and run a club or a member of one which features a number of irish players, - if you have a news story add it.The Irish in Europe would love to read about it.

Boxing: Events in the first 6 months with Irish Boxers in Europe – Italy, France, Greece, Russia

February

24th  to 2nd March         Olympic Qualifier               Italy Pescara

April

6th-13th           Olympic Qualifier                                  Greece

June

European Union Championships Poland

There will be plenty more European Boxing events with Irish Boxiers  this year - we will add them to the events as they arrive.

 - Find all Irish Sports associations including IABA (Boxing)  at:
http://www.europeanirish.com/sports_association.php

Irish amateur boxers celebrated another outstanding year in 2007, winning a raft of medals in international competition against some of the best nations in the world.

Paddy Barnes, Katie Taylor, Ken Egan, Darren Sutherland, Roy Sheahan and the Irish schoolboy squad, who claimed an astonishing two gold, one silver and five bronze medals at the European schoolboy championships in Portsmouth, England, were just some of the names that grabbed the headlines.

Six gold medals were won in European competition, with Ireland dominating the European Union Championships courtesy of top of the podium finishes from Egan, Sutherland and Sheahan.

Read more

http://www.iaba.ie/boxing/Main/News_2007_Review.htm

Find all IABA Irish Sports associations including badminton Ireland at:
http://www.europeanirish.com/sports_association.php

Ireland’s Pat Burke is victorious with Khimky –  in Top European basketball

by Eurobasket News - Jan 16, 2008

 Pat Burke (208-C-73, college: Auburn) nailed 4 points and made 4 rebounds for Khimky in Group D of Uleb Cup that thumped Anwil Wloclawek 90:63 at home to remain on top in Group D. Anwil got to a better start as Dunn and Gerrod Henderson combined for 10 points to give the visitors a 10:2 lead. Daniel Ewing replied with consecutive points for Khimky to cut the deficit but Polish team secured a 26:22 advantage after the first frame.

More:

http://www.eurobasket.com/irl/irl.asp

2008 Athletics events across the Continent with Irish participation have been added today.

The Brand new website is going live his week.

we are currently tranfering the data from the existing site to the new one.

There are many  athletics events this year, chances than no matter what part of Europe you are based - Irish athletes will be competing nearby sometime this year.
These include events in Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Portugal, Italy, Spain, Croatia, Turkey, Russia, Estonia, Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Switzerland and Belgium.
You can even start planning for 2009, with events in Russia, Italy, Lithuania, Serbia, Finland, Germany and Ireland all added already.

currently can be seen at

http://www.europeanirish.com/new/events.php

The first ever survey about Irish people in Europe is being conducted.

If You are Irish and are based in or moving to Continental Europe -

This short survey is for you!

Please forward this email to every Irish person you know living in Europe. 
It is really important for the Irish in Europe.
Please answer just a few short questions in 90 seconds or less Click the Link and answer the questions, thanks.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=c_2bbUKK6N36zUdjY5Fx1FKA_3d_3d

What are the best and hardest things about living in Europe ?
Why might you stay, why might you return?

This survey is specifically about you - Irish people living in Continental Europe.

If you know of any Irish person living anywhere in Continental Europe , please send this survey to him or her today.
If you know many Irish People living in Europe, please send this to them all. This very important survey about you and for you,  and is finishing this week. If you are Irish in Europe - now you can get your say. Click Here to take survey - Have You taken the survey yet? 

Thanks in Advance
Siasy Collins

The Hague, Netherlands, 8th December 2007

Killurin 3-13   1-10 County Europe
“Killurin, winners of the Leinster Special Junior Club Hurling Championship defeated a brave ‘County Europe’  in the Historic Away Leinster Final  held in The Hague, The Netherlands on Saturday December 8th” reports Siasy Collins, Editor of EuropeanIrish.com.

There was no shortage of skill and clash of the ash on display, as Killurin and Europe played out a keenly contested close first half. Just a single point separated the sides at half time.
Played over the full hour, Europe team which although fit, had not played together as a competitive team before, and is used to playing the European Championship over shorter 2 20-minute halves.
The more experience of the Killurin club side from Offaly began to tell late in the second half. Having whipped to a 3 point lead 1-13 to 1-10 with a few minutes left in the match, they finished the stronger with 2 dynamite late goals, to an overall win 3-13 to Europe’s 1-10. Maastricht based Hurling referee was Tony Bass.

 “As the winners of the 2007 European Hurling Championship, Den Haag GAA Club of The Netherlands, one of the longest established and most successful GAA clubs on mainland Europe, were awarded the honour of hosting Killurin and Europe in this first ever match by a mainland Europe Hurling team in the Leinster Championship series.”, says Marie Sheehan, Den Haag GAA Club PRO. “County Europe team comprised hurlers from clubs in Brussels, Paris, Luxembourg, Zurich and host club Den Haag.”

“European County Board (ECB) currently encompasses 27 clubs in 13 countries speaking 11 different languages with over 600 male and 170 female adult players, which is an increase of 28% on two years ago! The largest clubs in Europe being Paris, Luxembourg, Munich & The Hague but all still have less than 100 members each. “ stated Eileen Jennings, Chairperson of the ECB.

Killurin from Offaly were crowned Leinster Special Junior Club Hurling Champions when they defeated Park Ratheniska from Laois on November 18th. On December 8th they added the first Away Leinster Special Junior Club Title to their honours.

www.EuropeanIrish.com

The Hague, Netherlands, 8th December 2007

Killurin 3-13   1-10 County Europe
“Killurin, winners of the Home Leinster Special Junior Club Hurling Championship defeated a brave  “County Europe”  in the Historic Away Leinster Final held in The Hague, The Netherlands on Saturday December 8th” reports Siasy Collins, Editor of EuropeanIrish.com - the resource for Irish people living in Contiental Europe.

Hurling is one of Ireland’s two national sports, and is currently also played in Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) clubs across Continental Europe – in Brussels, Paris, Luxembourg, Zurich, Den Haag, Maastricht, Amsterdam, Groningen,  Munich, Dusseldorf, Budapest, Vienna, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Knn Croatia and Llati Finland. Gaelic Football, Ireland’s other National Sport is also played in Sweden, Czech Republic and Portugal.

Played at lightening speed, hurling is similar to hockey, played on a sports field, and the players can pickup the ‘sliotar’ (ball) and strike it long distances with the hurley. With ‘H’ shaped goals, 3 points are awarded for a Goal under the crossbar, and 1 point for a score over the crossbar and between the posts. The match is played with 15 players per side, a standard club match lasting 60 minutes, played in 2 halves.

“As the winners of the 2007 European Hurling Championship, Den Haag GAA Club of The Netherlands, one of the longest established and most successful GAA clubs on mainland Europe, were awarded the honour of hosting Killurin and Europe in this first ever match by a mainland Europe Hurling team in the Leinster Championship series (Leinster is an Irish Province)”, says Marie Sheehan, Den Haag GAA Club PRO. “County Europe team comprised hurlers from clubs in Brussels, Paris, Luxembourg, Zurich and host club Den Haag.”

There was no shortage of skill and clash of the ash on display, as Killurin and Europe played out a keenly contested close first half.
Just a single point separated the sides at half time.
Played over the full hour, Europe team which although fit, had not played together as a competitive team before, and is used to playing the European Championship over shorter 2 20-minute halves.
The more experience of the Killurin club side from Offaly began to tell late in the second half. Having whipped to a 3 point lead 1-13 to 1-10 with a few minutes left in the match, they finished the stronger with 2 dynamite late goals, to an overall win 3-13 to Europe’s 1-10. Maastricht based Hurling referee was Tony Bass.

“European County Board (ECB) currently encompasses 27 clubs in 13 countries speaking 11 different languages with over 600 male and 170 female adult players, which is an increase of 28% on two years ago! The largest clubs in Europe being Paris, Luxembourg, Munich & The Hague but all still have less than 100 members each.”  stated Eileen Jennings, Chairperson of the ECB.

Killurin from Offaly were crowned Leinster Special Junior Club Hurling Champions when they defeated Park Ratheniska from Laois on November 18th. On December 8th they added the first Away Leinster Special Junior Club Title to their honours.

www.EuropeanIrish.com

Do you think that Gaelic Games should be an Olympic Sport.

Gaelic Football and Hurling are now played in  Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Germany, France, Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic,  Guernsey island, Jersey Island, Hungary, Croatia.

Add in the Asian Gaelic Games, Gaelic Games in Australia, Canada, UK, USA and you find gaelic football and hurling growing in global profile.

http://europeanirish.com

Gaelic Games as an Olympic Sport ?

30th November 2007
At the GAA European County Board Convention, being held in Budapest Hungary on 1st and 2nd December 2007, wording is being agreed to submit a motion to Ireland’s Annual GAA Congress to ‘pursue the recognition of Gaelic Games as an Olympic Sport’.

The motion being submitted by the European County Board looks to establish an International Gaelic Games Federation. This Federation would drive the development of Hurling, Gaelic Football and Camogie across the globe. It would look for recognition as a sport from official authorities in countries where Gaelic Games are played, and pursue the recognition of Gaelic Games as an Olympic Sport.

“This is just one of more than 75 Motions being discussed this weekend at the County convention of the European GAA County Board.” reports Siasy Collins editor of EuropeanIrish.com.

ECB Secretary Tony Bass of Maastricht Gaels explained that “Almost 30 clubs and one national federation …, over 600 men and 200 women played Gaelic Games on European soil during the year”

Chairperson of the ECB Eileen Jennings (Paris Gaels) is delighted “to welcome Helen O’Rourke (Ladies Football Association), Pat Toner (GAA Overseas Committee) and GAA club development personnel Con Hogan, Pat Fitzgerald and Kieran Leddy from Ireland and all European Club delegates to the 2007 ECB convention”
Delegates from every club arrive in Budapest Hungary for the weekend which comprises of a GAA Club Development Training Seminar, a Games Workshop, and the ECB Convention.

Follow a morning Training Seminar, the Convention opens at 16:30 on Saturday 1st December, with reports from the Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer. The election of 2008 officers and voting on ECB Motions continues on Sunday from 10:00.

European County Board (ECB) is an official Gaelic Athletics Association County, under Croke Park (Dublin, Ireland) and the Leinster Council, similar to Kilkenny County Board or Dublin County Board.
In fact, Killurin from Offaly ,  Leinster Special Junior Club Hurling Champions  travel to The Netherlands next weekend December 8th and will take on County Europe – a team comprising hurlers from Brussels, Paris, Luxembourg, Zurich and host club Den Haag, in the away final of the Leinster Special Junior Club Hurling Championship.

Read More on European GAA at www.EuropeanIrish.com

Rhythm of the Dance France and Croatia

France:
Nov 27 08:30 pm Zenith Arena Lille 
Nov 28 08:30 pm Galaxie Amneville 
Nov 29 08:30 pm Parc des Expositions Mulhouse 
Nov 30 Cancelled Salle Polyvalente Laval 
Dec 02 06:30 pm Palais des Sports Berck Sur Mer 

Croatia
Dec 08 08:00 pm Sportska Dvorana Kostrena 
Dec 09 08:00 pm Dvorana Jug 2 Osijek 
Dec 12 09:00 pm Sportska Dvorana Mladost Karlovac 
Dec 14 09:00 pm Dvorana Jazine Zadar 
Dec 15 09:00 pm Dvorana Gripe Spilt 
Dec 16 09:00 pm Školska športska dvorana Bjelovar

2008 has tour dates in Germany, France, Switzerland and Belgium

http://www.europeanirish.com/Music/index.html

27.11.2007 Molly Blooms, Tel Aviv, Israel
28.11.2007 Molly Blooms, Tel Aviv, Israel
29.11.2007 Irish House, Haifa, Israel
01.12.2007 Molly Blooms, Tel Aviv, Israel
02.12.2007 Leo Blooms, Ramat Hahayal, Israel
03.12.2007 Molly Blooms, Tel Aviv, Israel
04.12.2007 Leo Blooms, Ramat Hahayal, Israel
05.12.2007 Irish House, Haifa, Israel

Featured on EuropeanIrish Samhain - Compilation - Humours of Lissadell
Download their track for free and access their website at:
http://www.europeanirish.com/Radio/free_online_cd.htm

Chris de Burgh will be doing a limited number of shows in 2008,
initially in Eastern and Western Europe.

Details to be announced soon!

http://europeanirish.com/Music/irishbandsontour.html

Women’s UEFA Championship Group 2 Qualifier
Republic of Ireland 2 – 1 Romania
Michelle O’Brien 18           Simona 40
Stefanie Curtis 31

The Republic of Ireland Women’s have beaten Romania in their vital UEFA Women’s Championship, Group 2 Qualifier at Richmond Park today. Goals by Michele O’Brien and Stefanie Curtis sent Ireland on their way to a third win in four games from the campaign so far.
Full details :
http://www.fai.ie

http://europeanirish.com/blog/category/sport/soccer/

Montenegro 1-0 Ireland. The Republic of Ireland Under-21 team are still searching for the first points of their 2009 UEFA qualifying campaign after losing to Montenegro today in Podgorica. Ireland are next in action on Tuesday when they host Bulgaria in their fourth Group 3 tie.

http://www.fai.ie

Maastricht Gaels, supported by the ECB, will host a foundation level football coaching course with two coach tutors from Dublin on Saturday, November 24th, between 10:00 & 17:30.

The couse is targeted at those who would like to introduce those interested in bringing gaelic football into schools etc. The principal objective is to qualify coaches to teach 8-12 y.o’s.

Both coaches are qualified tutors.
Damian Byrne is a former Dublin hurling goalkeeper and one of the first full-time coaches in the GAA. He was recently appointed Hurling Development Manager for Dublin and is currently a senior county team selector.
Ken Fitzgerald is full-time coach with a leading Dublin club and coach of a third level (DLIADT) college football team.

The course will be broken into a theory session in the morning and a practical skills session in the afternoon. A light lunch (soup/sandwiches) will be available. Copies of the slides etc will be made available. Participants should wear a tracksuit and bring football boots.

Please let Tony Bass (Secretary ECB) know as soon as possible if your club has anyone interested in attending.
Or indeed if you wish to introduce Gaelic Football or Hurling to a new area in Europe. Contact Tony at maastricht GAA club - details here:

http://www.europeanirish.com/Sport/GAA/gaaclubs.html

1. European Acrobatic Gymnastics Championships - Oct 2007 Acrobatics 24 October 2007
Qualification: 24 Oct:
Judges : Irish Jackie O’Herlihy, Jim O’Leary,
Age Group Women’s Pairs:
Ireland PAIR 1: O`BRIEN Kim, LEHANE Leigh, came 11th
Ireland PAIR 2: MURPHY Michelle, MONGAN Rebecca came 19th in Europe.
Ireland TRIO 1 WHELAN Ciara, BARRETT Hannah, O`BRIEN Jessica came 21st

JUNIOR WOMEN’S PAIR
Ireland PAIR 1: BARRETT Mary, RENNICK Sara came 12th

FINALS AG WOMEN’S PAIR
Ireland PAIR 1 IRL O`BRIEN Kim, LEHANE Leigh came 8th
2.
2007 Northern European Championships 04 October 2007 Venue: Dublin City University All Disciplines
3. Kim O’Brien and Leigh Lehane Finalists in European Age Groups, Amsterdam 2007
Kim O’Brien and Leigh Lehane from Ballincollig Gymnastics Club have made finals in the 11-16 age group in the European Age Group Championships. Michelle Murphy and Rebecca Mongen (Tuam All Stars)also
http://www.irishgymnastics.ie

4. Ireland competed at the World Championships on September 3rd in Stuttgart Germany
Ireland competed at the World Championships on Monday, September 3rd. Drawn in subdivision 4 on the first day of the men’s qualifiers, they competed alongside teams such as China, Belarusia and Bulgaria. Paired with Austria, in front of a packed Porsche arena in Stuttgart cheered on by a small but noisy set of Irish supporters, the Irish team of Mathew Cosgrave, Luke Carson and Wayne Healy turned in a fine performance….
details
5. Junior World Cup, Tumbling Finals & results Poland 2007
Congratulations to Jessie McFadden and Aoife Kiely from the International Performance Group who made finals in the Junior World Cup event in Poland this past weekend the 30th August - 2nd September.
…
…. details

6. Aphrodite Cup 2007 Cyprus
Congratulations to Artistic National Squad members Sarah Wedel and Aimee O’Driscoll for their performances at the Aphrodite Cup in Cyprus last weekend. Despite the heat, both girls performed well in …

 details

7. European Youth Olympic Festival
03-Aug-07
Gymnasts Emma Gorman (City of Lisburn) Aimee O’Driscoll (Douglas) and Rebecca Wallace (City of Lisburn) travelled to the European Youth Olympic Festival from the 18th – 28th July in Belgrade, Serbia.
…
…details

8. World Cup Junior Event - Belgium - Fliffis Cup

The Tumbling International Performance Group have done it again. Four out of the five gymnasts who went to this prestigious Junior World Cup Event made finals. Gillian Clarke (Millenium GC), Jenny Ryan (FIBE GC), Karyn Twomey (Ballincollig GC) and Jessie McFadden (Killeevan GC) all came in the top eight in the prelims to make finals.
…details

http://www.irishgymnastics.ie/irish_gymnastics_results.cfm

7-9 Dec Poland INTERNATIONAL FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL ‘MIKOLAJKI FOLKOWE’, Lublin, Poland.
26-Nov Russia The Dartz 20.00 Red Club (SPb, Poltavskaya 7)

13-Nov Austria ”Irish Trad. Session
Cafe Concerto , Lerchenfelder Gürtel 53, 1160 Wien”
20-Nov Austria ”Irish / Scottish Trad. Session
Highlander Pub, , 1090 Wien”
30-Nov Austria Festival - Guinness Irish Christmas Festival 2007. BRUCK / Mur Bundesförsterschule
1-Dec Austria Festival - Guinness Irish Christmas Festival 2007. BUCHSCHACHEN Dorfscheune
2-Dec Austria Festival - Guinness Irish Christmas Festival 2007. BLEIBURG Altes Brauhaus
4-Dec Austria Festival - Guinness Irish Christmas Festival 2007. FELDKIRCHEN Amthof
5-Dec Austria Festival - Guinness Irish Christmas Festival 2007. LIENZ
6-Dec Austria Festival - Guinness Irish Christmas Festival 2007. GÖTZIS Am Bach
7-Dec Austria Festival - Guinness Irish Christmas Festival 2007. VÖLS Seidemann
8-Dec Austria Festival - Guinness Irish Christmas Festival 2007. SAALFELDEN Kunsthaus Nexus
9-Dec Austria Festival - Guinness Irish Christmas Festival 2007. RIED KIK
11-Dec Austria ” 21h00 - Irish Trad. Session
Cafe Concerto , Lerchenfelder Gürtel 53, 1160 Wien ”
11-Dec Austria Festival - Guinness Irish Christmas Festival 2007. ST.PÖLTEN Bühne im Hof
12-Dec Austria Festival - Guinness Irish Christmas Festival 2007. BAD ISCHL Leharkino
1-Dec Czech Republic The Bottlewash Band  Sýpka Brno - pořádá Skotský pes