On-line version of the 1901 and 1911 Irish Census launched at the Embassy of Ireland
Irish Ambassador to Britain His Excellency Mr Bobby McDonagh hosted a reception on 2 July at the Irish Embassy London, to launch the on-line version of the 1901 and 1911 Irish Census .
The Guest of Honour and Key Note Speaker was Ms Mary Hanafin TD, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Culture. Niall Gibbons, Chief Executive of Tourism Ireland, also attended, to inform the Irish in Britain of a new promotional campaign being launched in Britain.
The Irish Census returns for the night of 31 March 1901 provide detailed returns from households across the 32 counties of Ireland and are the earliest surviving complete Government census returns. The vast bulk of earlier census returns were destroyed over time with many records lost due to a fire at the Public Records Office in 1922 during the Civil War.
Over four and a half million individual records from the returns made by some 850,000 households on census night in1901 are available free of charge for everyone across the world to access. Some famous entries in the Census of Ireland Records include James Joyce, Padraig (Patrick) Pearce and Edward (Eamonn) de Valera.
You can access the websit on - www.census.nationalarchives.ie
The various Irish Festivals and Parades in Britain organised by Irish Societies helps to promote a positive portrayal and awareness of Ireland as a tourist destination, amongst the general population. It is also a fact that many people use the census as a starting point for cultural tourism, which has immense potential to increase numbers visiting all parts of Ireland.
Nottingham Irish Festival and Parade 'twin' every year on March 17th with a town/county in Ireland. The Mayors exchange gifts , greetings and an awareness of the tourism opportunities are shared. Media on both sides of the Irish Sea profile the county/city chosen. This year Nottingham will be twinning with the beautiful historic county of Offaly. www.stpatricksdayparadenottingham.co.uk
PICTURE: At the reception Minister Mary Hanafin renewed some old acquainces. Gerry Molumby, L (a native of Thurles, as is Mary Hanafin) presented Mary with a framed picture of Triskellion Productions and informed updated her of the twinning arrangements of the Nottingham Irish Festival. R is Patrick O'Connell also of Triskellion Productions. www.triskellion.org.uk . Patrick's brother Maurice is Chief Executive of Alzheimer's Society Ireland. Maurice's wife Barbara is Chief Executive of Acquired Brain Injury Ireland, both have worked along side Minister Hanafin .