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Friday, 8th May, 2026
The Irish Elderly Advice Network has been 'supporting the older Irish community in London and beyond since 1993', and our Safe Home Outreach and Advocacy Officer Karen was delighted to visit with them yesterday, and give a presentation with advice for those thinking about moving back to Ireland.
Find out more about their work at https://www.irishelders.org.uk/
📸Irish Elderly Advice Network (FB)
Thursday, 7th May, 2026
Delighted to announce that our Annual Review 2025 is now available online! It outlines the key highlights and impact of our work over the past year.
2025 marked a significant milestone as we celebrated the 25th anniversary of Safe Home Ireland, reflecting 25 years of supporting the Irish diaspora and those returning home.
Throughout the year, we carried out 𝟱,𝟮𝟵𝟲 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 and 𝟮𝟯𝟮 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀. These included information provision, outreach support, housing assistance, and making connections with the Irish community and organisations working with them worldwide.
Demand for our services continued to grow, with 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝘆 𝟱𝟭%, rising from 𝟰𝟮𝟰 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 to 𝟲𝟰𝟬 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱. Of these, 𝟮𝟭% 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗨𝗦-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀, compared to 𝟭𝟰% the previous year, highlighting the growing and continued need for our work.
The full report is available here - https://www.safehomeireland.com/our-work-in-action
Report design: Claudine Leonard
Wednesday, 6th May, 2026
Our Outreach and Advocacy Officer Karen, pictured with Suzanne and Jordan in The Engine Room in Tottenham Hale (Haringey), where BIAS Brent Irish Advisory Service offers an advisory drop-in service, lunch and bingo on Wednesdays with one of their Active Ageing Lunch Clubs.
'BIAS was set up in 1978 as a response to the welfare needs of the Irish community, one of the largest immigrant communities in London.' You can find out more about the organisation here - https://biasbrent.co.uk/
Wednesday, 6th May, 2026
Well done to our Outreach and Advocacy Officer Karen on giving a community talk and offering 1-to-1 appointments at the London Irish Centre yesterday.
Friday, 1st May, 2026
Our CEO Karen McHugh seated beside
Uachtarán na hÉireann / President of Ireland Catherine Connolly yesterday at the Global Irish Civic Forum, along with so many others working with the Irish diaspora. President Connolly addressed the forum, and the speech can be viewed at
https://president.ie/
Friday, 1st May, 2026
Fantastic second day at the Global Irish Civic Forum at Croke Park. Such incredible speakers and presenters; we look forward to working in partnership with so many incredible individuals and organisations in Ireland and around the world implementing the new Diaspora Strategy.
The final panel “Looking to the Future” was just powerful and highly recommend everyone to watch it back online!!
Check out the new strategy at the link below:
https://assets.ireland.ie/documents/Irelands_Diaspora_Strategy_v9_LR.pdf
Thursday, 30th April, 2026
Delighted to be attending the Global Irish Civic Forum in Croke Park over the next two days and the launch of the Irish Diaspora Strategy. Great to be around so many colleagues and friends from community, cultural, welfare and other organisations working together with our diaspora. Thank you to our President, Catherine Connolly, and Minister Neale Richmond for opening the Forum with such positive and poignant words. Looking forward to networking over the next 2 days!
Wednesday, 29th April, 2026
Thank you to
Crosscare Irish Diaspora Support Project for organising a lovely global coffee morning today! Great to catch up so many friends and colleagues from organisations in Ireland and abroad. Looking forward to further engagement over the next few days at the Global Civic Forum and new Diaspora Strategy launch in Croke Park.
Tuesday, 28th April, 2026
Today, as co-chair of the Irish-US Driver's Licence Exchange Campaign committee we were pleased to present to the Dáil committee in the AV room on the findings of our recent report.
This new report could end the painful and often complex process of obtaining an Irish driving licence for thousands of returning citizens.
See full Report on the Campaign Website: https://tinyurl.com/mr2da85f
Thank you to many committee members who travelled from the US, over for the Global Civic Forum and the launch of the Diaspora Strategy. We look forward to action now!
#GlobalIrish #ReturningHome #DriverLicenceExchange
Tuesday, 28th April, 2026
Our outreach and advocacy officer Noreen pictured with members of Luton Irish Forum home on holiday, so lovely to meet up with Sarah, Marie and Marie! Always great to connect
Luton Irish Forum 'are a charity designed to promote Irish identity, culture and heritage and to improve the quality of life of the Irish community and others in Luton' https://www.lutonirishforum.org/
Monday, 27th April, 2026
Today we held our AGM virtually, and it was wonderful to have so many of our team in attendance. Members joined in from Leitrim, Carlow, Edinburgh, Mayo, Galway, Laois, Antrim, Dublin, Donegal and Wexford; a truly national charity with a global remit! Thank you also to those who were unable to attend today; your continued support means so much to us.
2025 was an incredibly busy and impactful year, and we will be publishing our Annual Review later this week, highlighting the breadth of our work and achievements delivered in partnership with so many individuals and organisations in Ireland and abroad.
Thank you to everyone for your ongoing support, and especially to the Emigrant Support Programme of the Irish Foreign Ministry for their continued funding and partnership during 2025. This support remains fundamental to our ability to provide vital services and assistance to those who need us most.
Thursday, 23rd April, 2026
One month to go!! Please spread the word. We are really looking forward to yet another Safe Home Ireland fundraiser in May to walk the National Famine Way. The Long Road Home... Ag Siúl le Chéile 2026
For more information go to: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/the-national-famine-way-walk-2026-the-long-road-homeag-siul-le-cheile-tickets-1657111126989
If you can support, please do; if you can walk with us, please do! There are 9 stages to choose from (stages 1-8 take place on Saturday, 23rd May, with the last stage taking place on Sunday, 24th May). Stage 1 departs from EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum and Stage 9 ends at Strokestown Park. You can join for part or all of a stage, and we take pitstops along the way.
Safe Home Ireland is a small charity that provides vital and confidential support to Irish people abroad seeking to return home once more, especially those in difficult and challenging circumstances. Safe Home Ireland is a lifeline for so many. Your support makes a real difference!
Walking The National Famine Way - The 165km trail traces the footsteps of the 1,490 famine emigrants who left Strokestown in 1847.
Thursday, 23rd April, 2026
As co-chairs and a founding member of the Irish-US Drivers Licence Exchange Campaign, Safe Home Ireland is proud to mark an important milestone today.
We have launched a new report that could end the painful and often complex process of obtaining an Irish driving licence for thousands of returning citizens. This collaborative campaign brings together prominent individuals and partner organisations from both the United States and Ireland, united by a shared commitment to supporting the Global Irish community.
The Report offers “practical” and “pragmatic” solutions to the issue. Members of the Committee are due to present the findings to TDs and Senators in Leinster House next Tuesday, April 28th.
See full Report on the Campaign Website: https://tinyurl.com/mr2da85f
See The Irish Times coverage today: https://tinyurl.com/ys5n8ycr
#GlobalIrish #ReturningHome #DriverLicenceExchange
Wednesday, 15th April, 2026
Karen and Noreen were delighted to meet up with Jasmine and Caroline yesterday at Irish Community Care Manchester. Always wonderful to connect with other organisations working with the Irish diaspora!
They currently offer a range of front-line information, advice and outreach support services and more information can be found here - https://www.irishcommunitycare.com/
Monday, 13th April, 2026
Great visit to Irish Community Care in Merseyside! Our outreach and advocacy officers Karen and Noreen met with Shelly and Julie in Liverpool earlier today.
ICC is a registered charity delivering services across the North West. They have been proudly supporting Irish Communities for over 50 years!
Visit https://www.irishcc.net/ to learn more about them.
Thursday, 26th March, 2026
Yesterday, our Outreach Officer, Noreen, spent the day at Coventry Irish Society, witnessing first-hand the incredible work carried out by their dedicated team.
It was also a great opportunity to exchange information about our respective services and activities, and to strengthen the connection between our organisations in supporting #IrishDiaspora, especially those considering moving or returning to Ireland.
Thank you to Simon and the team for the warm welcome and hospitality and we look forward to even closer collaboration going forward!
Wednesday, 25th March, 2026
Our Outreach Officer, Noreen, was delighted to meet with Rosie and the team at Birmingham Irish Association yesterday, along with everyone who attended our Information Session. It was also great to meet Siobhán from Sandwell Irish Association (all pictured)
We really welcomed the opportunity to share information about Safe Home Ireland and to learn more about the great work supporting the Irish community in the region.
Thank you all for the hospitality and for such a warm welcome!
Saturday, March 21st, 2026
Irish Times article by Breda O'Brien
‘Bás in Éirinn.” Death in Ireland. That was my uncle Jimmy’s toast, his Déise accent untouched by decades in Bristol. He did not get his wish. He died in England, although he was then buried in the graveyard of the church he attended as a boy.
Read more
here
Wednesday, 25th February 2026
Irish end-of-life care: new report published.
Our CEO, Karen McHugh, is delighted to attend the launch of a new publication, 'Sing our own Song: End-of-Life Care and the Irish Community in Britain,' in the Irish Embassy London tonight, which includes a quote from her about returning home. It's a great opportunity to meet with colleagues and partner organisations across Britain, that work with the Irish diaspora and those who wish to return home.
'This new report is the result of the largest national consultation in the community of the subject as part of the Meitheal Muintire Irish End-of-Life Project. The report draws on evidence from community consultations, key informant interviews, digital surveys and a panel discussion and identifies persistent gaps in culturally competent care at the end of life and after death.'
https://www.irishinbritain.org/news/irish-end-of-life-care-new-report-published
Tuesday, 23rd December 2025
Our CEO Karen Mc Hugh called to see Sean Brogan to thank him in person regarding sponsorship of our website and ongoing support from UTS Technologies. Great to meet with both CEO Sean Brogan and COO Olivia D’Arcy!
We are grateful for the support to continue the work of our charity, as a diaspora support service that provides a range of services to people who are thinking of moving or recently returned to Ireland.
#safehomeconnects 💚💚
Thursday, 18th December 2025
Our small but impactful team came together in Galway for our end-of-year staff meeting, to reflect on what was a very busy but impactful year as well as to start planning for 2026.
Thanks to everyone for your continued support, and we look forward to a great year ahead!
#safehomeconnects 💚💚
Sunday, 14th December 2025
What a night we had for our 'Christmas Concert' at St Andrew's Church in Dublin! A packed church with a rapt audience enjoying performances from our ambassador Seán Keane, the Timahoe Male Choir and special guest Kate Dineen.
Huge thanks to our performers, and everyone who showed their support for our charity last night. Great to see so many calendars being sold too. It makes a big difference to us!
Thanks so much to Paul Reardon Photography for these wonderful photos, much appreciated Paul.
We are so grateful to Fr. Alan Hilliard for all his support
Wednesday, 10th December 2025
Our CEO, Karen McHugh, was delighted to present to Sligo County Council Housing Strategic Policy Committee on 10th December in City Hall.
From Sligo, and a returned emigrant herself, it was a meaningful ‘full-circle’ moment to seek Council support for eligible housing applicants, approved by Sligo County Council, to be nominated for ‘age friendly’ accommodation.
While the numbers involved are small, many members acknowledged that people left Ireland / Sligo, for a myriad of reasons, including seeking employment, but they continued to support their families and communities by sending money home over the years and we must not forget them. A number of other issues were discussed, including some of the challenges faced by people seeking to return home.
We will keep you posted with updates from Sligo, as well as from other Councils across Ireland, as we continue to advocate for eligible approved housing applicants, who seek to return home.
Thank you to Dara Mulvey for arranging for us to attend and present to members. Pictured below are Cllr Dara Mulvey, Cllr Edel McSharry and Karen McHugh.
Tuesday, 25th November 2025
Delighted to be attending the final programme meeting of #ERMiNE2025 - (European Return & Migration Network) in Berlin this week and to meet with all our colleagues on this project from Latvia, Poland, Spain, Germany, Spain, UK, Italy and ourselves and Crosscare Irish Diaspora Support Project in Ireland.
Also, amazing presentations of work done on the ground in Germany and pan Europe around return migration and issues related to this. We look forward to working together in 2026 on future projects.
Saturday, 22nd November 2025
We were delighted to attend the ‘2025 Meeting of German-Irish Societies and Organisations’ at the Embassy of Ireland, Berlin today and to hear about the great work done on the ground covering business, sports, culture, language, music, town twinning (and so much more), throughout Germany and the strong links in/with between Ireland and Germany. It was a great opportunity to talk about our work at Safe Home Ireland. Finally, great to meet with and connect with Irish in Business Network who supported Safe Home Ireland as their charity partner in recent years.
Thank you to all staff at Consular Services in Germany, Ambassador Meave Collins, and the Irish Foreign Ministry Emigrant Support Programme for supporting and acknowledging our work
#diaspora #safehomeconnects #ireland #germany
Thursday, 13th November 2025
Our last outreach abroad of 2025 today. Delighted to be invited to have a stall at the 'Survivors Integrated Service Health Wellbeing Day' at the London Irish Centre (survivors-only event).
The London Irish Centre survivors integrated service provides advice, advocacy and community programming to former residents and survivors of Irish institutions living in London and the Southeast. This includes residents in Mother and Baby homes, Magdalene Laundries and Industrial Schools.
https://londonirishcentre.org/.../commun.../survivorservice/
Wednesday, 12th November 2025
William and Rose at The Irish Cultural Centre Hammersmith, pictured with our CEO Karen McHugh! Thank you to everyone who attended our Drop-in Clinic as well.
'The Irish Cultural Centre Hammersmith opened its doors in 1995 as the premiere centre in the UK dedicated to the promotion and welfare of Irish art and culture abroad. The ICC welcomes and invites people of all backgrounds and cultures to participate in our 3 core activities: our culture, community, and education
programmes.' https://irishculturalcentre.co.uk/
Wednesday, 12th November 2025
Shauna from the Irish Community Services Bexleyheath and Brian Dalton from Irish in Britain, pictured with our Outreach Officer, Karen Bollen.
The charity Irish Community Services was founded in 1984 to promote Irish Culture and support the Irish Community in South East London, while Irish in Britain is the national charity supporting a wide network of diverse Irish organisations that make up its membership across Britain.
Wednesday, 12th November 2025
Great to be back at Luton Irish Forum today! Thank you to Noelette and team for the warm welcome and to everyone whom we met today.
Pictured below our Outreach Officer, Karen Bollen with Noelette Hanley, CEO Luton Irish forum.
Thursday, 6th November 2025
Our last stop on our US Outreach this year was to the amazing New York Irish Center. Thank you to Niamh, George, Stephen and all the volunteers for the warm welcome, the hospitality and for the lovely lunch too!
It was great to meet members of the Wednesday Lunch Program and all who attended for appointments too. We look forward to continued collaboration going forward and coming back again soon!
Wednesday, 5th November 2025
Our CEO, Karen McHugh, was delighted to have the opportunity to meet with Gerald Angley, Consul General of New York, this morning and to talk about our work assisting Irish who are thinking of moving/returning to Ireland. We greatly appreciate the support and the opportunity to strengthen our links with the Consulate.
Wednesday, 5th November 2025
Thank you to Sandra and team at Aisling Irish Community Center, New York for such a warm welcome yesterday. It was also great to meet and chat with members of the Seniors Program and to witness first hand the strong community connections and hear about the wide range of activities at the centre.
Lovely to see our Safe Home Ireland 2025 Calendar hanging up in the kitchen too!
Friday, 31st October 2025
It was great to meet with Síghle Fitzgerald from the Consulate General of Ireland, Boston this morning to talk about the work of Safe Home Ireland, particularly our support for Irish emigrants in the Massachusetts area and those thinking about returning or moving home to Ireland
Thursday, 30th October 2025
Thank you to the incredible team at the Irish Pastoral Centre Boston for such a warm welcome this week.
Thank you also to everyone who attended our Moving/Returning to Ireland Information Clinic and follow up appointments. We look forward to continuing our partnership and to assisting anyone who is thinking of living/returning to Ireland.
Tuesday, 28th October 2025
Thank you to everyone who attended our Sligo Returned Emigrants Network meeting on Saturday, 25th October.
We had valuable discussions around the positive aspects of returning home, as well as some of the key challenges and barriers experienced by those returning from both the US and Australia.
Our next Sligo meeting is scheduled for December — details to follow. In the meantime, we will be following up on some of issues raised and actions agreed at the session.
Thursday, 16th October 2025
Yesterday, Wednesday 15th October, we attended a Diaspora Consultation forum, hosted by Neale Richmond TD, Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora.
This forum, along with other consultations held in Ireland and abroad, will feed into the development of Ireland’s new Diaspora Strategy, which will be launched in April 2026.
We were pleased to highlight some of the key issues affecting Irish abroad and those considering moving or returning to Ireland, particularly people doing so in challenging or crisis situations.
We will continue to contribute to the development of Ireland’s new Diaspora Strategy, and to work closely with our partners and networks in Ireland and abroad to ensure that anyone who might need our support knows we are here to help.
#SafeHomeIreland #ReturningIrish #IrishAbroad #IrishDiaspora #safehomeconnects
Wednesday, 15th October 2025
It was great to meet with
Neale Richmond TD, Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora yesterday. Unfortunately Minister Richmond was unable to attend our ‘Briefing on Issues Affecting Returning Irish citizens’ with
Ciaran Staunton due to a delayed flight, so we fully briefed him when he arrived! We are so thankful for his enduring commitment and that of
Irish Foreign Ministry ensuring better outcomes for returning citizen.
Tuesday, 14th October 2025
We were honoured to attend and present at a cross-party briefing on “Issues Affecting Returning Irish Citizens” today in Leinster House (Dáil Éireann), in association with Ciaran Staunton of the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform US).
A huge thank you to Johnny Guirke TD Meath West for organising and inviting us to speak and to all who attended and showed commitment to tackling what was addressed as primarily ‘administrative challenges’.
Our briefing covered a broad range of issues, including:
- Recognition of foreign qualifications
- Voting rights for Irish abroad
- US/Irish driver’s licence exchange
- Planning and housing challenges
- Non-Irish spousal/de-facto visas
Safe Home Ireland direct work with Irish abroad who are considering returning or moving home, particularly those returning in unplanned or crisis situations supported by Irish Foreign Ministry
We were very encouraged that the members who attended committed to advancing some of our recommendations, including the establishment of a ‘Cross-Party Oireachtas Committee on Returning Irish’.
We will continue to share updates through our regular e-bulletins — sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/3xh7e2md
If you are abroad and thinking about returning, get in touch with us
If you have already returned and are facing any difficulties, we’d love to hear from you too.
Website: www.safehomeireland.com
#SafeHomeIreland
#ReturningIrish
#IrishAbroad
#LeinsterHouse
#IrishDiaspora
Monday, 29th September 2025
Our annual calendar is an important part of raising funds and awareness, and the 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗜𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗲!
Thank you to our wonderful Ambassador
Seán Keane and Marty Whelan at
RTÉ lyric fm for promoting Safe Home Ireland. Great to raise awareness of our charity to ensure that anyone thinking about moving/returning to Ireland knows who to contact/where to start!
Monday, 22nd September 2025
So delighted to hold our Safe Home Ireland Stakeholders Day and launch our new-look website www.safehomeireland.com
Thanks to our many speakers and those who supported us via letter and video. We had a fantastic day at the wonderful EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum on a sunny Dublin day!
Monday, 8th September 2025
Great to meet the team at
Ashford Place - Cricklewood, London this afternoon. They do amazing work with the Irish community in Brent and beyond. Hear more about their work at our NEW website launch on 22 September!
Sunday, 7th September 2025
Fantastic sunny day at London Irish Vintage Club 2025 Vintage Charity Day. Great to meet our friends from BIAS, The Irish World, Donegal County Council, Meath Association, Council of Irish Associations and so many others. Thank you to Highland Radio for the interview too.
Please support this year's selected charities: St. Luke’s Hospice , Stamp Out Suicide, HCPT and Air Ambulance Northern Ireland.
Wednesday, 9th July 2025
We were pleased to meet with Neale Richmond TD, Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs with special responsibility for International Development and Diaspora, and with Karl Gardner, Head of Irish Abroad Unit
Pictured with Nova Fariss (Chairperson) and Karen McHugh (CEO) of Safe Home Ireland. We were pleased to have the opportunity to discuss our work and highlight challenges for those seeking to return to Ireland as well as outline successes of our work.
We also discussed our plans for the next six months and look forward to contributing to the next Diaspora Strategy too.
Thursday, 26th June 2025
Great meeting with Embassy of Ireland, Belgium this morning. Karen McHugh and Karen Bollen are pictured with James O’Brien, Consular Officer, and David Aşgin Walsh, Deputy Head of Mission. It was a good opportunity to talk about Safe Home Ireland's work as well as hear about the great work carried out by the Consular Service in Belgium.
Wednesday, 25th June 2025
Day 3 - Brussels
Another amazing day in Brussels with #ERMiNe - lots of useful presentations, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities. Great oversight on possible EU funds available and projects working to support returnees and global diaspora perspectives and engagement.
European Union Global Diaspora Facility—Ireland recently became a member of this network (in 2024), and was highlighted as one of the countries that supports its diaspora via the Emigrant Support Programme globally. Ireland is the only country with a dedicated Diaspora Strategy!
Tuesday, 24th June 2025
Another busy day for Safe Home Ireland! We were delighted to be invited by President Michael D. Higgins and Sabina Higgins to a Community Garden Party. A fabulous day!
Included in the pictures with President and Sabina Higgins are: Ann Lawler and Paul Reardon of 'Friends of Safe Home Ireland'; Johnny B. Broderick (our Information & Communications Officer); Ann Roddy (Board Director, Treasurer); and Vivienne Woodley of our Returned Emigrant Network.
Thank you
President of Ireland / Uachtarán na hÉireann Michael D. Higgins.
Tuesday, 24th June 2025
Our own johnny b broderick (John Broderick) had the honour of sitting with President of Ireland / Uachtarán na hÉireann Michael D. Higgins at a Community Garden Party.
Last Friday, Christy Moore released a tribute to Michael D with beautiful words by johnny b called 'Music to our ears', set to music by Gavin Murphy.
Why not check it out here?
https://youtu.be/aGy3Zx_4cAE






















































































































