Astrocartography, ‘forgotten Irish’, and the ice-bucket challenge of returning to Ireland

Deciding where in the world to live is a no-brainer for some people, but for others, there are too many options. How about letting the stars decide for you? Irish woman Martha Clarke followed hers to Italy, then Boston, where she now uses astrology to help others find their place in the world."Moving home to Ireland has been like experiencing a series of ice-bucket challenges in quick succession," writes Michelle Walsh, in our most-read story this week about moving home after her mother fell ill, while Emmet Lyons, interning at the NY Governor's office, asks, "have Irish Americans forgotten they come from a 'sh**hole' country too?"

Social groups run by organisations like the London Irish Centre provide a lifeline for older "forgotten Irish" in Britain. Jennifer Purcell met a group at the William Hobbayne Centre in west London: "If we didn't have this group, where would we be? At home watching the four walls," one told her.Are you a journalist based overseas with a good story to tell about the Irish emigrant or diaspora experience? Our initiative for media professionals closes to applications on Tuesday, May 1st. Here's how to pitch your idea.

You’ll find many more stories below and on irishtimes.com/abroad.

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