Henry Healy from Ireland XO HQ attended a welcome reception by the Virginia Ireland XO volunteers this week. Don Drach & Pat Reilly two Ireland XO volunteers arranged a meeting for interested parties to come and 
Building on the success of last two years the Ireland XO programme had a training and information day event in the Loughrea Spa & Hotel last Wednesday, Jan 16th with special guest: David McWilliams. The day consisted of a short review of the Ireland XO programme and welcoming and training the new Ireland XO animators. Much progress has been made in the last 2 years. To round off the day's proceedings, David McWilliams addressed the meeting with some reflections on the programmes progress and some lighter comments on the Irish economy. Also attending the meeting were representatives from parish communities across Ireland, including state agencies, LEADER representatives, Councilor's, newly appointed animators for the Ireland XO programme, Cultural Heritage and Tourism Consultant's, Shannon development, Western development Commission, Clan 
connections, Heritage groups, Galway Rural Development, representatives from County Councils who have expressed interest in launching Ireland XO in their areas. Parishes from the counties of Mayo, Carlow, Kerry, Limerick and Donegal among other counties were well represented. Anyone with an interest in their community, its history, tourism, business or genealogy, is encouraged to get involved and learn more about the programme. 
Gort, Coole Park and Kiltartan Gregory Museum will host a Lady Writers event from 3rd - 7th October 2013. Each year since 1995 an Autumn Gathering has been held in Coole Park, Gort to honour the memory of Lady Augusta Gregory (1852-1932). The cream of world speakers have contributed to the continued success of the weekend. Lady Gregory was one of the co-founders of the Abbey Theatre for which she wrote many plays. She contributed enormously to the Irish Literary Renaissance and to the collecting of folklore in South Galway. She fostered the genius of W.B.Yeats . Poets, artists, playwrights and writers of every genre found a welcome in Coole Park. Since it opened officially in 1996, the Kiltartan Gregory Museum has welcomed thousands of visitors, many of whom discovered their roots in South Galway. The members of the Kiltartan Gregory Cultural Society have gained wide experience in meeting and greeting people from all over the world. They have gained national and international recognition in the Ireland Reaching Out programme for the past two years.
The Directors of the Autumn Gathering at Coole and the Kiltartan Gregory Cultural Society have combined this year to invite women writers worldwide, but particularly those of Irish descent, to a weekend in South Galway. A large database is being prepared by the two groups who already have contacts all over the globe. In fact, the weekend is not confined to the ladies. Men will also get a cead mile failte! 
We are working on a new and improved website over the next 12 months. A new look and feel to the site (phase one) is now available. Please bear with us while we are continuing to work on this in phase two and three which will improve the functionality of the site. The new site looks great and we are very excited to have an improved look and feel to the whole site. We have the same website address at www.irelandxo.com. Click to take a look now! Feel free to send us feedback here!
We are a not for profit organisation relying on sponsorship and donations from individuals and businesses all around the world. Your donations will be invaluable to the success and future of the programme at a truly national and global scale. This FREE service will utilise funds to spread the word about Ireland Reaching Out, provide resources and training and manage the large network of volunteers whose purpose is to assist all diaspora in the search for their ancestral parish.
We are delighted to make available brochures and accompanying posters to market the Ireland Reaching Out programme to parish communities in Ireland and the Irish diaspora around the world. If you would like pdf copies please email us here
Ireland Reaching Out is partnering with the "The Gathering Ireland 2013" inviting anyone with a connection to Ireland to come and visit. Have a look at the Gathering website and post your events online here
