Minister Paschal Donohoe Launches Roscommon Bound Global Rossie Strategy
A Rossie at Heart… Minister Paschal Donohoe Launches Roscommon Bound – Global Rossie Strategy
Minister Paschal Donohoe was back to his roots in Roscommon on Monday, December 9th to launch “Roscommon Bound, the Global Rossie Strategy” and website. The Minister was also presented with his Roscommon Passport.
“My mother Caitlin grew up in Ballinagare, near Frenchpark in County Roscommon so I was honoured to be asked to launch this strategy which aims to connect people of Roscommon origin around the world” stated Minister Donohoe from the launch in Roscommon County Council offices.
There are an estimated 945,000 people with Roscommon roots around the world. These people include the established diaspora whose parents or grandparents left Roscommon many years ago and more recently people who have left for adventure and to gain new experiences.
“The Strategy is about connecting with this larger Global Rossie Family so that we know what our Global Rossies are achieving and that they are kept up to date with developments here at home” said Eugene Cummins, Chief Executive, Roscommon County Council.
One of the most innovative actions that emerged was to present each secondary school student with a “Roscommon Passport” as they graduate from Secondary School. Students receive their Roscommon passport as they embark on study or work as a reminder to keep the link with their homeplace and to remember to support their home county as they continue through their lives.
“It is about being passionate about your homeplace, about celebrating all that is wonderful about our people and our county. We will mark this with the Global Roscommon Day which will take place on June 21st 2020” concluded Paschal Fitzmaurice, Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council.
Business, communities and individuals all have a role to play in promoting their home county and keeping the connection with their people around the world.
