The Belfast International Homecoming

WE ARE TEAM BELFAST

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The seventh annual Belfast International Homecoming – the largest gathering of the diaspora

in Ireland – will take place Virtually on 1-2 October 2020.

The purpose is to welcome back our global family to join in the discussion about building a better Belfast.

Covid-19 has turned the world — and the priceless connections between people — upside down.

Where once we prized connectivity, interaction, travelling, sharing, partnership and public gatherings now the watchwords are isolation, travel bans, separation, distancing and sheltering.

At the Belfast International Homecoming 2020, therefore, we plan to build a bridge between those two parallel universes so that the people of Belfast and our global family can safely connect one to the other.

Our job will be to reconnect Belfast with its far-flung diaspora so that we replace the loneliness of lockdown with the warm, virtual embrace of friendship.

We will also honour a new cohort of Belfast Ambassadors who, even if unable to travel to our city, have continued to keep the connections to Belfast alive in the conviction that better and brighter days lie ahead.

Our message at the Homecoming to the Irish and Scots-Irish disapora will be one of optimism and positivity in the knowledge, as Martin Luther King taught us, that while disappointment is finite, hope is infinite.

Come join us then — virtually — at the seventh annual Belfast International Homecoming.

#WeAreTeamBelfast

Our Belfast Homecoming Cocktail has been chosen by Francis Schott, Restaurateur from New Brunswick, NJ and Belfast Ambassador. The Blackthorn cocktail by Dale DeGroff in The New Craft of The Cocktail, the best selling cocktail book in history. There are a lot of versions to this drink but for our event Francis has added his own twist!

Blackthorne

1 oz Irish Whiskey (Dead Rabbit)

1 oz Dry Vermouth (Dolin)

.75 oz Sloe Gin (Plymouth or home-made)

2 dashes Angostura Bitters

1 dash Absinthe or Pernod (optional but very nice)

Combine all ingredients in mixing glass with ice & stir. Strain off into small martini glass (Nick and Nora glass). Garnish with an orange peel, flamed if possible. (Bring Matches or a lighter)

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Featured talks

Not sure what to watch? Here are some talks you won't want to miss.

Eilis Ferran, Lee-Anne Mulholland, Niall Murphy, Jack...

Legal Symposium: Professional Pathways in Law. From Belfast to Beyond.
Fatuma Maallin, Neil Shawcross, Sabine Kalke, Khalid...

Celebrating New Neighbours: In these turbulent times, we give thanks to ten exceptional individuals from other places who have made Belfast their home. Supported by Neueda
Máirtín Ó Muilleoir Managing Director, Belfast Media Group

Belfast Calling
Shane Dunne, Robert Fitzpatrick, Sarah Fraser, Kevin...

Health Topping the Bill: A roadmap to safely opening our major venues, festivals and arenas.
John Fitzpatrick & Ray O'Hanlon

Ray O'Hanlon in conversation with John Fitzpatrick
Seamus Cushley VP Research & Development, Site Lead, Belfast, Bazaarvoice

Welcome to The Belfast International Homecoming
Arlene Foster MLA First Minister

Official Opening Belfast International Homecoming: A Hundred Thousand Welcomes
Michelle O’Neill MLA Deputy First Minister

Official Opening Belfast International Homecoming: Céad Míle Fáilte

It's time to get focused on the areas you're most interested in

Unlike physical conferences where you can end up sitting through content you just don't need, The Belfast International Homecoming is delivered entirely online. Dip in and watch the specific talks you're most interested in, or catch them all. It’s up to you!

View the schedule

2 days

112 speakers