Ireland Reaching Out (Ireland Xo)

ireland reaching out (irelandxo.com) is an innovative, volunteer-based non-profit initiative supported by the emigrant support programme which seeks to build vibrant lasting links between the irish diaspora and their parishes of origin in ireland. the programme is based on a simple idea; instead of waiting for people of irish descent to trace their roots, ireland xo volunteers identify those who left, and trace them and their descendants worldwide, inviting them to become part of their community. ireland xo volunteers welcome returning irish diaspora to local areas, introducing them to the places and people connected to them, establishing what is hoped will be lifelong relationships built on shared cultural identity and heritage. the ireland xo programme aims to build the definitive database of the irish diaspora worldwide enabling each of the 2,000 parishes in ireland to engage with their own individual diaspora.