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.
Cultural Interests
Irish cultural events locally
| Response | Total |
|---|---|
| 1 | 146 |
| 2 | 270 |
| 3 | 689 |
| 4 | 747 |
| 5 | 856 |
| Total | 2,708 |
Summary
Respondents expressed very strong interest in attending Irish cultural events in their local area, with the data skewing clearly towards the higher end of the 1 to 5 scale. The largest group - 856 respondents - rated their interest at 5, with a further 747 selecting 4. Combined, those rating their interest at 4 or 5 account for 1,603 respondents, representing approximately 59% of all respondents. Only 416 respondents rated their interest at 1 or 2, indicating limited enthusiasm.
Key Learning
There is a clear and strong appetite among The Diaspora for Irish cultural experiences within their own communities. This underlines the importance of supporting and developing local Irish cultural infrastructure abroad - festivals, cultural centres, and community events - as a frontline tool for Diaspora engagement, bringing Ireland to its people rather than waiting for them to come to Ireland.
New Irish Film, TV and Book releases
| Response | Total |
|---|---|
| 1 | 123 |
| 2 | 209 |
| 3 | 548 |
| 4 | 776 |
| 5 | 1,052 |
| Total | 2,708 |
Summary
Interest in new Irish film, television, and book releases is very strong among the Irish Diaspora. With 1,052 respondents selecting the maximum score of 5 and a further 776 selecting 4. Combined, those rating their interest at 4 or 5 account for 1,828 respondents - approximately 68% of all respondents - with just 332 rating their interest at 1 or 2.
Key Learning
Irish screen and literary culture represents the single most compelling cultural engagement tool among Diaspora respondents. It points to the strategic value of supporting and promoting Irish creative industries internationally - not merely as a cultural export, but as a powerful and scalable vehicle for deepening Diaspora identity and connection with Ireland.
New Traditional music and dance releases
| Response | Total |
|---|---|
| 1 | 250 |
| 2 | 379 |
| 3 | 740 |
| 4 | 649 |
| 5 | 600 |
| Total | 2,618 |
Summary
Interest in new traditional Irish music and dance releases showed a more distributed response pattern than the other two cultural categories, though it still skewed towards the higher end of the scale. Ratings of 4 and 5 accounted for 1,249 respondents (approximately 48%), while ratings of 1 and 2 accounted for 629 respondents (24%), with a substantial middle ground of 740 respondents selecting 3.
Key Learning
While traditional music and dance remains an important component of Irish cultural identity abroad, it generates notably less universal enthusiasm than film, television, and literature among this survey cohort. This suggests that while it should remain part of any cultural engagement strategy, it may appeal to a more specific segment of The Diaspora and should be complemented by broader cultural offerings to maximise overall engagement.