A Song For A Sunday.

Tipperary politicians, local councillors and self-declared community activists continued to “walk the fence” today, seeking; no demanding, extra community recognition funding for the North Tipperary area, in an effort to be seen, so as not to lose precious public and local votes.
I refer of course to the proposed housing of International protection applicants here in Roscrea, North Co. Tipperary, which saw 300 people attending a demonstration this afternoon against the proposal which could see up to 160 people accommodated in 40 bedrooms at the Racket Hall, Hotel, Roscrea.

Lest Ireland Forgets.

It is estimated that some 6 million Irish people emigrated to the US since the year 1820. The peak of Irish emigration resulted from the Great Famine (1845-1852). At that time nearly two million people; about a quarter of the Irish population emigrated to the United States in just a 10 year period.
In 1800 the population of Ireland was estimated at 4,500,000. By 1841 the same population had risen to some 8,200,000 soles. Mass evictions, the famines of 1861-1864 and 1879-82, and the hardships of subsistence farming, meant emigration to North America continued to be seen as an opportunity to support and improve life.
Between the years 1848 and 1850 some 4,175 orphan girls were sent to Australia from Irish workhouses, of which some 477 girls were from Co. Tipperary. Two years later, in 1852, Nenagh Board of Guardians alone, emigrated 432 souls.

Coming to America

Vocals: American singer-songwriter and seller of more than 130 million records worldwide, Neil Diamond.
Lyrics: Neil Leslie Diamond.

Coming to America

Far
We’ve been travelling far,
Without a home,
But not without a star.
Free,
Only want to be free.
We huddle close,
Hang on to a dream,
On the boats and on the planes,
They’re coming to America,
Never looking back again,
They’re coming to America.
Home,
Don’t it seem so far away,
Oh, we’re travelling light today,
In the eye of the storm.
In the eye of the storm.
Home
To a new and a shiny place,
Make our bed and we’ll say our grace,
Freedom’s light burning warm.
Freedom’s light burning warm.
Everywhere around the world,
They’re coming to America,
Every time that flag’s unfurled,
They’re coming to America.
Got a dream to take them there,
They’re coming to America,
Got a dream they’ve come to share,
They’re coming to America,
They’re coming to America,
They’re coming to America,
They’re coming to America,
They’re coming to America,
Today, today,
Today, today, today,
My country ’tis of thee (today),
Sweet land of liberty (today),
Of thee I sing (today),
Of thee I sing,
Today, today, today,
Today, today, (today, today).

END