Settling In

Settling into your new home can take time.  A good way to start is to meet new people and try new things. Connecting with a local Irish group or GAA club can help you make new friends and find your feet in your new home. They can also provide a helping hand if you need a bit more support or encounter any difficulties there. We’ve listed many of these groups below for you, but if you can’t find what you’re looking for you can also check out the Global Irish Diaspora Directory.

Sometimes homesickness can hit when you least expect it, so we’ve put together these tips on minding yourself with the help of others who have already made the move – www.mindhowyougo.ie.

Helplink Mental Health also provide a global, free Irish Abroad Online Counselling Service for Irish emigrants living abroad.

  • AUSTRALIA
  • CANADA
  • NEW ZEALAND
  • EUROPE
    • The European County Board of the GAA was set up in 1999 and now heads up 85 clubs around Europe in Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
    • The Irish in Europe Association has a network of Chapters around Europe and aims to help Irish people living and working in Europe.
    • Irish in France creates and supports initiatives aimed at the Irish community in France.
    • European Irish connects people interested in Irish culture and activities around Europe.
  • UNITED STATES OF  AMERICA
    • Coalition of Irish Immigration Centers  is a national umbrella group for all of the Irish Immigration Centers in the US. Find your local Irish center here.
    • Aisling Irish Community Center (New York) assists Irish immigrants in their transition to life in the USA. They are based in Yonkers.
    • Irish Community Services (Midwest) is an immigration and social services provider serving the Irish community of Chicago and beyond with senior, legal, pastoral, student and J1 programmes. Formerly known as Chicago Irish Immigrant Support
    • Emerald Isle Immigration Centre (New York) provides immigration information, social, employment and education related services to Irish emigrants in New York since 1988. They have two offices, one in the Bronx and one in Queens.
    • Irish Apostolate USA provides pastoral support, advocacy and outreach services the Irish Apostolate USA is the response of the Irish and American Catholic Bishops to the needs of Irish immigrants in the United States.
    • The Irish Diaspora Center is a community hub for Irish emigrants in the Philadelphia and wider Delaware Valley.
    • Rian Immigrant Center (Boston) supports Irish emigrants since 1989, the newly named Rian Immigrant Center specializes in Learning Exchange programmes between Ireland and the USA and also offers immigration, advocacy, wellness and education services.
    • Irish Pastoral Centre – Boston offers a comprehensive range of services including active seniors and family outreach programmes, free legal and immigration clinics, a mother and toddler group, and much more
    • Irish Immigration Pastoral Center(San Francisco) is a long standing and invaluable support to Irish people in and around San Francisco.
    • Irish Outreach(San Diego) is a vibrant multi-service center focused on assisting Irish citizens, those of Irish ancestry, and Irish visitors (summer students) in San Diego.
    • New York Irish Center is a community center based in Long Island City (Queens), just one subway stop away from Grand Central Station. It runs cultural events, a senior programme and hosts the first US location of Pieta House.
    • Your regional GAA club in the USA – with over 130 adult and youth GAA clubs in the USA, find one near you at: www.usgaa.org
  • UNITED KINGDOM
    • Irish in Britain (previously known as the Federation of Irish Societies) is a national umbrella organisation which draws together Irish clubs and societies in Britain. They also set up the Cuimhne Irish Memory Loss Alliance to address the needs of all Irish living in Britain who experience all forms of memory loss.
    • The London Irish Centre supports the needs of thousands of newly-arrived Irish emigrants in London, the London Irish Centre (LIC) has developed into the largest Irish welfare and community organisation in Britain. It also hosts regular events and initiatives like the London Irish Language Playgroup, and community events.
    • Birmingham Irish Association provides advice and support to Irish people living in or who have recently moved to Birmingham.
    • Brent Irish Advisory Service (BIAS) provides advice and support to Irish people living in Brent
    • Causeway Irish Housing Association provides short-term accommodation, primarily to young single homeless people in London. They also support tenants through the Life Skills Project which includes help with education, employment, benefits, resettlement, and community involvement.
    • icap (Immigrant Counselling and Psychotherapy) is a charity providing counselling and psychotherapy to Irish and non-Irish people in London.
    • Irish Community Care Merseyside provides information and advice on a range of services including welfare, homelessness, health, and cultural isolation to Irish people living in and around Liverpool.
    • Irish Community Care Manchester provides welfare related advice and information, lunchtime events, Irish Traveller support to Irish people in Manchester. They also have an allotment project, a passport service, and provide burials for Irish people with no next of kin.
    • Irish Community Services in Greenwich, Bexley & Lewisham provide a range of popular, welcoming and successful welfare and support services to the Irish Community across South London.
    • London Irish LGBT Network was formed in 2014 by a group of Irish LGBT people decided form an independent group in order to socialise, campaign and support artistic pursuits.
    • Luton Irish Forum provides a range of activities (elders group, baby and toddler groups) and supports (including welfare support) to Irish people living in Luton. They also run this really useful website all about living in Luton – thisisluton.com
    • Lewisham Irish Community Centre provides clubs, classes, advice and support in Lewisham and surrounding areas in London
    • Leeds Irish Health and Homes support the Irish community in Leeds with a focus on health and wellbeing, and independent living
    • Leeds Gypsy and Traveller Exchange (LeedsGATE) work to address the issues which affect the homes, health, education, employment and circumstances of Gypsy & Traveller people including Irish Travellers
    • The Aisling Project (Returning to Ireland)– London based and provides assistance to long-term emigrants by providing supported holidays in Ireland, helping to reconnect with friends and family and resettle in Ireland.
  • MIDDLE EAST
    • Abu Dhabi Na Fianna GAA Club was founded in 1995 they welcome anyone who wants to give Gaelic Games a go.
    • Dubai Celts GAA is the largest GAA club in the Middle East, and a home away from home for many new Irish emigrants.
    • Dubai Irish Society was founded in 1974 and provides community and social support for Irish people living in Dubai.
    • Middle East GAA clubs are a good way of making connections on arrival. Currently there are 4 GAA clubs in the UAE ( in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah), and another 10 spread across Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
    • Oman Irish Society organise Irish cultural, educational and social events in Oman.
  • ASIA
    • The Asia County Board of the GAA was established in 2006 and currently includes 22 clubs in 11 countries including China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
    • Irish Network China aims to promote and encourage exchange and understanding of business, cultural and sporting ties between the Irish and Chinese communities in Beijing.
    • St. Patrick’s Society Singapore organise regular events and welcomes recent Irish arrivals to Singapore.
    • Saint Patrick’s Society Bangkok promotes the social and cultural interests of the Irish community in Thailand.
  • AFRICA
  • SOUTH AMERICA
    • The Hurling Club in Buenos Aires was established by descendants of Irish emigrants to Argentina.
    • Irish in Argentina provides information to Irish people living or travelling in Argentina.
    • LatinAmerica.ie provides information on all things Irish across Latin America including Irish clubs, societies, business networks and more.

If you provide are an Irish society, association, club, welfare group, social media group GAA club, business network or you provide information or support to Irish emigrants around the world and would like to be listed on this page, please email migrantproject@crosscare.ie or contact us here.