An uplifting and inspiring account of our global family was how the Minister for Foreign Affairs Brian Cowen described Wherever Green is Worn: The Story of the Irish Diaspora by Tim Pat Coogan at the launch in Iveagh House on Wednesday. The book shows how many overcame great poverty and disadvantage as well as loneliness, homesickness and isolation and how some drank themselves into an early grave while others reached the heights. It was a worthy tribute to those who left in search of a better life; those who succeeded as well as those who fell through the cracks.
Coogan said we in Ireland should be proud of our success and should consider establishing a "Minister for the Diaspora" to foster culture, education and business. Wherever Green is Worn covers the story of the Irish in Britain and Europe as well as North and South America, Africa and the Caribbean. The ambassadors of Italy and Argentina, Ferdinando Zezza and Victor Beauge respectively, were present, as well as Albert Reynolds, Michael D. Higgins TD, Gemma Hussey and Fr Alec Reid from Belfast. Our consul general in Cardiff, Conor O'Riordan, who was escorting the Economic Development Committee of the National Assembly for Wales around Dublin for a couple of days, to study our great success, was also there. One of the Assembly members is Brian Gibbons, son of former Roscommon deputy, Hugh Gibbons.