About Us
Safe Home Ireland is an Irish diaspora support service that provides a range of services for people considering returning and for those who have already returned to Ireland
How it all began...
As a rural GP in Mulranny, County Mayo, and Chairman of a small Voluntary Housing Association, Dr. Jerry Cowley was regularly contacted by older Irish people living abroad, many of whom longed to return home. At the time, there was no real route that allowed Irish emigrants to access social housing in Ireland.
In January 2000, with the help of a voluntary committee and a dedicated group of supporters, Dr. Cowley launched the Safe Home Programme as a 'pilot project'. Based in Mulranny, publicity around the project meant that it quickly gained attention, leading to thousands of enquiries from Irish emigrants and their families.
By 2001, Safe Home Ireland became an organisation in its own right. Following successful lobbying, a key housing policy change in November 2001 allowed older Irish emigrants, still living overseas to be considered for social housing in Ireland for the first time.
Today, Safe Home Ireland continues to assist Irish people abroad who wish to return, offering not just housing support for qualifying older emigrants, but guidance, information, and a connection to home for anyone exploring the idea of returning/moving to Ireland permanently.
Vision, Mission & Values
OUR VISION
Our vision is that any Irish person living abroad who wishes to live In Ireland can do so with dignity and respect.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to support Irish people abroad, particularly those who are in crisis and challenging circumstances, to transition and settle into community life in Ireland.
OUR VALUES
Compassion - We commit to acting with empathy to provide practical and professional support to people and organisations.
Inclusivity - We strive to ensure that our service is non-judgemental and is underpinned by equality and human rights.
Partnership - We are committed to working in partnership with stakeholders in Ireland and abroad.
Accountability - We uphold and promote the principles of good governance and integrity through transparency, effectiveness and strong leadership.
Further Information
The Long Road Home
A Story of Irish Emigration and Repatriation
The Irish diaspora now includes 70 million people worldwide that consider themselves Irish, many of whom choose to return home at various stages of their adult life. The Long Road Home explores the history of Irish emigration over the past 100 years.
This film looks at the lived experience of Ann Lawler, who returned to Ireland in her 70's, having spent 40 years living and working in England. A short history of Irish emigration is expertly told by Dr Catherine Healy and Aileesh Carew of EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum in Dublin and this weaves into Ann's account of returning home and the help that was provided to her by Safe Home Ireland.
Produced by Patricia Murphy of Keep It Lit Media.
Thanks to Dr Catherine Healy & Aileesh Carew, EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum for their input. www.epicchq.com
Cinematography - Donal Moloney www.donalmoloney.com
