Remote Irish Island Invites New Zealanders To Connect

In a world where business is more global than ever, and the growing trend towards remote working means we are even more in control of where we choose to live and raise a family, we have a story that may interest you.

Arranmore, a remote island in the Atlantic Ocean (off the west coast of Ireland) that has seen its population decimated to below 500 inhabitants due to emigration resulting in its unique island culture under threat of being lost forever, has received high-speed internet for the first time.

In an open letter to the people of New Zealand, the island’s community has stated that they are now “open for business”. Surprisingly, the local talent includes graphic designers, games developers, app developers, photographers plus a host of artisan craftspeople who are ready to connect right now.

The open letter coincides with the UN's World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD). This year marks the 50th anniversary of WTISD. The purpose of this observance is to help raise awareness of the possibilities that the internet and other information and communication technologies (ICT) could bring to societies and economies, as well as of ways to bridge the digital divide.

Films
Below are links to two films that document the emotional journey that the islanders have been on to get to this point:
• Short Form (60 seconds) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDbUSWM1Kn8
• Longer Form (9 minutes) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4PcOZ8xMsA

http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/1905/Open_letter_to_the_people_of_New_Zealand.pdf

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