Emigration and the Diaspora: Ireland’s Complex Attitude in the 1920s and 1930s

This chapter examines the ambivalent and evolving relationship between Ireland and its diaspora in the early decades of the Free State, with a particular focus on the Tailteann Games of the 1920s and early 1930s. Conceived as a symbolic cultural revival and a means of unifying the global Irish community, the Games were also driven by pragmatic concerns—chiefly economic and political. Irish officials, notably James J. Walsh, saw the diaspora not only as a source of cultural affirmation but also as potential tourists, investors, and property buyers. While the Tailteann Games initially garnered enthusiasm and served as a vehicle for projecting Irish nationhood to the world, logistical concerns, lukewarm diaspora engagement, limited long-term economic returns, and insufficient governmental support exposed their fragility. The chapter further explores shifting state attitudes towards emigration and the diaspora, ranging from idealisation to scepticism. Figures like Seán Lemass began to recognise the diaspora’s economic potential beyond remittances, especially in tourism. Yet, internal divisions, political rivalries, and external events such as the Great Depression and World War II ultimately constrained these efforts. Through a combination of archival evidence and political discourse, this chapter reveals a complex interplay of pride, strategic interest, and ambivalence in Ireland’s early diaspora policy.