From Emotional Experience to Sustainable Engagement How the Irish Government Links Intangible Heritage with Diaspora Tourism

This essay analyses diaspora tourism in Ireland today. Is this an example of instrumentalization of intangible heritage for economic purposes only? Or does the local community benefit from such diaspora strategies as well? The essay offers an in-depth study of policy documents and manuals, supplemented with conversations with Irish colleagues, and an analysis of the Donegal Connects festival. The discourse of the diaspora strategy is often very emotional as it refers to a sense of belonging and the search for a rooted identity. Is the decentral approach of the Irish policy striking? It supports local heritage communities to develop projects that truly meet their needs. I argue that intangible heritage benefits from this approach. Firstly, because locals (re)discover the meaning and value of the heritage in their own region. Moreover, by connecting these local groups to an international diaspora, the heritage community is widened. As such the tension between "host" and "guest" disappears, as locals and diaspora-members become partners in co-creative processes. In this long-term relationship-building engagement is central, a concept that is further elaborated in this essay in five sub-types: emotional, effort, cognitive, social and innovative engagement. The Irish diaspora strategy triggers these five types. It lifts abandoned villages out of isolation and contributes to improving the local quality of life. Moreover, it guarantees that the care for heritage can continue, even if the support of the government should be reduced. In Ireland, diaspora tourism is an ally for enabling sustainable heritage development. It is based on feelings of connection and triggers a strong form of engagement. The policy builds international heritage communities that take care of and safeguard the heritage together. Or, to put it in the words of the Irish minister of Diaspora: "diaspora tourism is more than a resource, it s a community".