Mae O’Driscoll Scholarship accepting applications

The application period is open for the Mae O’Driscoll Scholarship.

The Mae O’Driscoll Scholarship was established by the Board of the Emerald Isle Immigration Center in New York with funds contributed by friends of Mae to recognize her singular contribution to the Irish American community and particularly Irish immigrants to New York. The “inaugural” scholarship awards will be in the amounts of $500, $300 and $200 to provide financial aid for

higher education to an immigrant or the son or daughter or grandson/granddaughter of an immigrant to the US.

Applications are due October 12.

Download the scholarship brochure (PDF).

NI grads: Spend a year working in Pittsburgh

There are opportunities for graduate engineers and other professionals from Northern Ireland colleges and universities to spend a year working with Pittsburgh area companies and organizations developing sustainable technologies. Check the Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh website for more information.

Irish government provides counseling for abuse victims

The Irish Government, as part of their response to citizens who experienced abuse in residential institutions in Ireland, established the National Counseling Service in 2000. This provides counseling for those resident in Ireland who had experienced abuse as children.

It is estimated that more than 40% of those who suffered abuse left Ireland, many going to England. Services are available through the Immigrant Counselling and Psychotherapy in London at +44 (0207) 272-7906 or admin@icap.org.uk

In the United States there are no dedicated services but those who were abused in residential institutions are eligible to claim the cost of their counseling fees by applying to the External Counseling Claims Committee of the HSE in Ireland. If you would like to receive a copy of the guidelines, which detail how to submit a application, please email sheila@ciic-usa.org.

Prime Time examines emigration

Recently RTE’s Prime Time did a piece on emigration that is well worth watching. Siobhan Lyons from the Irish Immigration Center of Philadelphia did an excellent job. You can see the program on RTE.

Know your rights! What to do if you are detained

The CIIC has developed an information pack to help Irish centers and the public understand what happens if an immigrant is detained by US immigration authorities.

The experience is often a frightening one. We aim to provide this information for those who work with immigrants as well as the friends and family of the detained to help them understand:

• what will happen
• how they can help
• when they can expect to see the detainee. 

Download the document.