the safe-home programme Repatriates elderly Irish emigrants who want to return home but lack the resources to do so.

"Being able to reinforce our written material by face-to-face meetings is an invaluable part of the induction process and we thank The American Ireland Fund for making this possible.”

Máirín Higgins
Program Director

Founded in January of 2000, Safe Home addresses the mass emigration that is part of Ireland’s history. The Safe Home Projects aims to help elderly Irish emigrants who wish to return to Ireland but lack the resources and information to do so. These people were economic refugees and had to leave Ireland at a very young age to find work. Many went to England, others to the United States. While many emigrants prospered in their adopted homes, others never really found a settled life abroad. As they get older, some wish to return to Ireland for their last days. However, having left Ireland at a very young age many of these people don’t have the financial or social support system needed to resettle at home. Safe Home provides a valuable service by helping these emigrants to return to Ireland.

Support from The Ireland Funds has helped facilitators deliver and promote educational material in centers of highest emigration. Funding pays for production of a video on New Ireland, induction packs, a conference, and newsletter-related costs.