Minister Richmond announces details of the 4th Global Irish Civic Forum

Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond, today announced that the next Global Irish Civic Forum will take place on 30 April and 1 May 2026 in Croke Park, Dublin.

Building on the earlier events in 2015, 2017 and 2023, the 4th Global Irish Civic Forum brings together diaspora organisations from across the world to share their work and experiences and to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the Irish abroad.

Speaking in San Francisco, the Minister said: “In line with the commitment set out in the Programme for Government, I am currently undertaking a broad consultation with the global Irish on our new diaspora strategy. The government is committed to deepening our ties with the large and diverse Irish communities overseas.

“To that end, I have spoken with some incredible people whilst conducting our consultations, here in San Francisco, in Brussels, Nairobi, Boston, New York, London, Glasgow, the North of England, Toronto, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and many other places.

“These engagements have been overwhelmingly positive and I look forward to welcoming our diaspora partners to Croke Park next spring for the launch of the new strategy and discussions on how we can work together to deliver on its commitments.”

Welcoming the announcement, Brian Dalton, CEO of Irish in Britain said: “We welcome the depth and breadth of this important consultation. It recognises that Irish community networks abroad are one of Ireland’s greatest strategic assets, rich in ideas, leadership and the values of civic responsibility. The Global Civic Forum in Croke Park can harness the skills and ambition of the global diaspora to turn commitments into action.”

Minister Richmond also outlined his aims for the Forum, saying: “Over the course of the Forum we will have important discussions on a number of key issues from supporting the most vulnerable of our community to the crucial role the diaspora can play in developing and solidifying new trading relationships, engaging new generations and underrepresented groups and nurturing our culture and heritage.

“However, as well as enhancing the connections between Ireland and our diaspora, it is equally important that participants have the opportunity to connect with each other, to share their stories, learn from each other and build networks that will strengthen the global Irish family.”

Further details on the programme for the Forum and registration will be available later in the year.

The government’s current diaspora strategy expires at the end of 2025. In line with commitments in the Programme for Government, work is underway on preparing the next strategy.

In order to understand the issues affecting both long-standing emigrants and newer arrivals and to ensure the new strategy meets the needs of global Irish communities, Minister Richmond is undertaking a series of in-person engagements with diaspora communities across the world. To date, he has met with representatives of Irish communities in Africa, Great Britain, Europe, the US and Canada, the Middle East and in Ireland. In addition, he launched the first ever Global Irish Survey, a digital outreach to hear from as many voices as possible and to give an opportunity to those we could not meet in person to share their experiences and views. The findings of the survey will feed into our consideration of the new strategy.

The new strategy will be launched at the 4th Global Irish Civic Forum that will take place in Croke Park from 30 April to 1 May 2026. The Forum is attended by invited representatives of Irish community organisations based overseas.

The 3rd Forum took place in Dublin Castle in April 2023. Details of the programme and highlights of the sessions can be found at Global Irish Civic Forum | Ireland.ie.

ENDS

Press Office

29 October 2025