Published July 2026
Global Diaspora Report 2026
Founded in 2009, Ireland Reaching Out is one of Ireland's leading Diaspora organisations. A registered Irish charity with 100,000 members worldwide, this survey was largely conducted in 2025 and completed in early 2026. We intend to conduct this survey on a bi-annual basis going forward.
For further information about the survey, to comment, or to contact Ireland Reaching Out about any matter relating to the survey, please email info@irelandxo.com.
Initial Findings
Strong Global Demand to Deepen Diaspora Engagement with Ireland
The Irish Diaspora has a clear desire to deepen its relationship with Ireland. Findings from this large-scale survey (n = 2,709) reveal strong, consistent demand for enhanced community infrastructure, expanded cultural exchange opportunities, meaningful place-based heritage connections, and practical pathways for sustained engagement. The scale and diversity of the sample lend significant weight to the results, positioning them as both compelling and broadly representative of a highly motivated international Diaspora audience.
The data highlights a strong appetite for digital connection. A notable 81% of respondents expressed a desire to connect online with like-minded people of Irish ancestry, both in Ireland and within their local communities. This underscores the importance of creating accessible, well-designed platforms that facilitate meaningful interaction across borders.
Place-based connection is a key priority. Three-quarters (75%) of respondents stated that it is important to connect with Irish people linked to the specific locality of their ancestors, pointing to a desire for more personalised, geographically rooted engagement with Ireland.
In addition, 68% of respondents indicated an interest in sharing cultural content online with fellow members of the Irish Diaspora. This strong inclination toward cultural exchange reinforces the role of digital spaces as not just networking hubs, but as platforms for storytelling, identity expression, and community building.
Beyond connection, there is significant interest in contributing to Ireland's cultural and economic life. Respondents expressed strong intent to support Irish culture, purchase Irish products and services, and invest in Irish businesses, highlighting The Diaspora's potential as an active partner in Ireland's ongoing development.
Together, these findings point to a vibrant and actionable demand for deeper digital community-building, richer cultural exchange, and structured pathways for sustained, mutually beneficial engagement with Ireland.
Commerce
Note: In each question below, 1,278 respondents selected "No Response", leaving 1,431 who engaged with the question - all percentages below are calculated on this active respondent base.
Irish Crafts and Artwork
| Response | Total |
|---|---|
| No Response | 1,278 |
| 1 | 76 |
| 2 | 114 |
| 3 | 365 |
| 4 | 447 |
| 5 | 429 |
| Total | 2,709 |
Summary
Of those who responded, interest in Irish crafts and artwork was strongly positive, with 447 respondents rating their interest at 4 and 429 at 5, together accounting for 876 respondents or approximately 61% of the active respondent base. Only 190 rated their interest at 1 or 2, indicating low enthusiasm.
Key Learning
Irish crafts and artwork represents the strongest commercial opportunity among the four categories tested, with a clear majority of engaged respondents expressing high levels of interest. This points to a significant and largely underdeveloped market for authentic Irish craft and artisan products within The Diaspora - one that could support Irish makers and creative industries while simultaneously deepening cultural connection.
Irish Designer Clothes & Fashion Apparel
| Response | Total |
|---|---|
| No Response | 1,278 |
| 1 | 282 |
| 2 | 204 |
| 3 | 421 |
| 4 | 230 |
| 5 | 294 |
| Total | 2,709 |
Summary
Interest in Irish designer clothes and fashion apparel was the most evenly distributed of the four categories, with ratings spread relatively evenly across the scale. Those rating their interest at 4 or 5 accounted for 524 respondents (37%), while those rating it at 1 or 2 accounted for 486 respondents (34%), with 421 selecting the neutral midpoint of 3.
Key Learning
Irish designer fashion generates the most divided response of the four commercial categories, with no clear majority either way. While a market exists, it is narrower and less universal than crafts or food. This suggests that Irish fashion and apparel, while worthy of development, may appeal to a more specific and targeted segment of The Diaspora rather than representing a broad commercial opportunity.
Irish Whiskeys and Liquors
| Response | Total |
|---|---|
| No Response | 1,278 |
| 1 | 472 |
| 2 | 202 |
| 3 | 301 |
| 4 | 225 |
| 5 | 231 |
| Total | 2,709 |
Summary
Interest in Irish whiskeys and liquors produced the most sceptical response of the four categories, with 472 respondents - the largest single rating group - selecting 1, indicating no interest. Those rating their interest at 4 or 5 accounted for just 456 respondents (32%), while those rating it at 1 or 2 accounted for 674 respondents (47%).
Key Learning
Despite the global commercial success of Irish whiskey as a category, it generates the lowest level of interest among this particular survey cohort. This likely reflects the predominantly older, female demographic of respondents identified earlier in the survey. This is an important caution against assuming that Diaspora engagement and commercial product interest are automatically aligned - effective strategy requires matching products to audience profiles rather than relying on category reputation alone.
Irish Foodstuffs
I would like to learn more about Irish Food Stuffs, such as Artisan Foods, butter, cheese, recipes and so on
| Response | Total |
|---|---|
| No Response | 1,278 |
| 1 | 93 |
| 2 | 104 |
| 3 | 360 |
| 4 | 465 |
| 5 | 409 |
| Total | 2,709 |
Summary
Interest in Irish foodstuffs - including artisan foods, butter, cheese, and recipes - was strongly positive, with 465 respondents rating their interest at 4 and 409 at 5, together accounting for 874 respondents or approximately 61% of the active respondent base. Only 197 rated their interest at 1 or 2, placing it closely alongside Irish crafts and artwork as the strongest performing commercial category.
Key Learning
Irish food and artisan produce emerges as a joint leading commercial opportunity alongside crafts and artwork, reflecting a broader global trend towards provenance, authenticity, and quality in food. For Irish food producers and Bord Bia, this data provides compelling evidence of strong and genuine Diaspora appetite for Irish food products - an audience that is not only predisposed to buy Irish, but whose purchasing decisions are likely motivated by a deeper emotional and cultural connection to Ireland.