Aisling - Return to Ireland Project : Aisling began in 1994 to help long-term emigrant homeless Irish men and women re-connect with their homeland. Since then Aisling has helped over 300 go back to Ireland on holiday and are actively seeking permanent resettlement opportunities for returning emigrants. In September 2002 30 people went with aisling to Ventry in Co. Kerry for a one-week rehabilitive break. John had lived in the open air for the last 20 years on Hampsted Heath and only came to the attention of the group because he had a bad accident and had been taken to the Royal free hospital. Where he slept was enclosed by a high fence and John had to climb over it to get out. This particular morning John managed to get up on the fence but then lost his balance and fell clutching his foot between the top of the fence posts for hours, John said it could have been days as he slipped in and out of consciousness. Eventually he was discovered by a jogger who phoned for an ambulance. For John it was 37 years since he had been in Ireland and of course he was nervous about going back and for others it was equally as long or at least a generation ago. During the week several of the group met up with family and friends. Mick originally from Kerry, had not been back home for 37 years and maintained that he did not want to go back, believing he had no family left in Ireland. Over the year it had been on his mind and decided to visit with Aisling. In the meantime Aisling found Mick had a brother still living in the family home and made contact. Mick actually had three brothers, one had died 2 days before we arrived in Kerry, and had lived for years in Willesden north London very near to Mick. The body was bought back for the funeral and Mick's other brother arrived there and a happy sad reunion took place in Faranfore. 24 years after walking out on his wife family and pub Steve had come back. The pub named after the family's sporting traditions had a for sale sign outside and Steve wanted to know what was going on. The fighting Casey's are a legend in Sneem with a statue of Steve's uncle and namesake the crusher (world all-comers wrestling champion 8 years in a row) taking pride of place in the town and the pub is a living museum to the famous family featuring a long line of boxers and wrestlers-the hardest family in the world according to one newspaper headline proudly displayed in the bar. Steve's ex-wife was nowhere to be seen but his mother was looking more like a sister to the worst for wear Steve. His son and daughter, lawyer and teacher respectively also arrived. So began a riotous homecoming afternoon as extended family members and local people turned up at The Restlers to hear tales, of Steve's lost 24-year lost weekend.  The week passed quickly with trips and visits around Kerry and Cork, to be remembered a long time by the group. Hope, reunion, air to breathe, enjoyment and apprehension at the realization of their situation or pending future. Throughout the week the Aisling project brought adventure, reunion, and rehabilitation to fruition.

Aisling - Return to Ireland Project :

Aisling began in 1994 to help long-term emigrant homeless Irish men and women re-connect with their homeland. Since then Aisling has helped over 300 go back to Ireland on holiday and are actively seeking permanent resettlement opportunities for returning emigrants. In September 2002 30 people went with aisling to Ventry in Co. Kerry for a one-week rehabilitive break.

John had lived in the open air for the last 20 years on Hampsted Heath and only came to the attention of the group because he had a bad accident and had been taken to the Royal free hospital. Where he slept was enclosed by a high fence and John had to climb over it to get out. This particular morning John managed to get up on the fence but then lost his balance and fell clutching his foot between the top of the fence posts for hours, John said it could have been days as he slipped in and out of consciousness. Eventually he was discovered by a jogger who phoned for an ambulance. For John it was 37 years since he had been in Ireland and of course he was nervous about going back and for others it was equally as long or at least a generation ago.

During the week several of the group met up with family and friends.

Mick originally from Kerry, had not been back home for 37 years and maintained that he did not want to go back, believing he had no family left in Ireland. Over the year it had been on his mind and decided to visit with Aisling. In the meantime Aisling found Mick had a brother still living in the family home and made contact. Mick actually had three brothers, one had died 2 days before we arrived in Kerry, and had lived for years in Willesden north London very near to Mick. The body was bought back for the funeral and Mick's other brother arrived there and a happy sad reunion took place in Faranfore.

24 years after walking out on his wife family and pub Steve had come back. The pub named after the family's sporting traditions had a for sale sign outside and Steve wanted to know what was going on. The fighting Casey's are a legend in Sneem with a statue of Steve's uncle and namesake the crusher (world all-comers wrestling champion 8 years in a row) taking pride of place in the town and the pub is a living museum to the famous family featuring a long line of boxers and wrestlers-the hardest family in the world according to one newspaper headline proudly displayed in the bar. Steve's ex-wife was nowhere to be seen but his mother was looking more like a sister to the worst for wear Steve. His son and daughter, lawyer and teacher respectively also arrived. So began a riotous homecoming afternoon as extended family members and local people turned up at The Restlers to hear tales, of Steve's lost 24-year lost weekend.

The week passed quickly with trips and visits around Kerry and Cork, to be remembered a long time by the group. Hope, reunion, air to breathe, enjoyment and apprehension at the realization of their situation or pending future. Throughout the week the Aisling project brought adventure, reunion, and rehabilitation to fruition.