By PETER DIAMOND
THE Irish Voice was treated to an evening reception at the Irish Consulate in Edinburgh to celebrate the newspaper’s 10th anniversary. On Wednesday August 30, Jerry O’Donovan, Consul General for Ireland in Scotland, hosted the evening with his staff including his deputy, Vice Consul Andrea Wickham-Moriarty. The Consulate General of Ireland in Scotland works closely with the Embassy in London and Irish state agencies to promote trade, tourism and inward investment. Mr O’Donovan, who was only appointed in February, has taken great interest in The Irish Voice since his arrival and pledged to continue working closely with the editorial team on future projects. He addressed the packed room of supporters of The Irish Voice and dignitaries from the Irish community in Scotland, including the author Bernard MacLaverty.
“The Irish Voice is an indispensable asset within the Irish community in Scotland and helps shine a light on the great and good within our community,” he said. “We felt it was incredibly important it is to be able to articulate, celebrate and acknowledge the excellent contribution that The Irish Voice has made to the Irish community in Scotland over the past 10 years. “The importance of the newspaper cannot be underestimated as it showcases the great aspects of the community from the GAA, to Conradh na Gaeilge, to Comhaltas to name but a few. “However, there is a tougher edge to the publication too that unearths and exposes anti-Irish racism which we continue to face from time to time. The Irish Voice has covered some seismic events over the last decade from Scottish Independence and a Brexit vote along with the the troubles which Covid-19 brought. “Notwithstanding the newspaper has continued to operate on a shoestring budget and is completely free to readers, something which is becoming increasingly rare. Just last month the namesake and counterpart in New York, The Irish Voice, a similar paper in America, ceased publication after 36 years. So there continues to be challenges for the newspaper, which makes a celebration like tonight all the more just. Congratulations to Mary, to Gerry and to Dan and the team and here’s to a long and fruitful future.”
The Irish Voice is it’s run and edited by Gerard Gough, Dan and Mary McGinty
