A group of Italian businessmen in Dublin is changing the image of the Italian-Irish and in the process giving something to their adopted city. Sorcha Hamilton reports.
While the names Borza, Forte or Macari may warm the heart of any Irish person on their way home on a Saturday night, the current Italian Irish community has mixed feelings about the "chipper" image. "I have great admiration for the Italians who created the fish and chip shops," says Concetto La Malfa, who came to Ireland in 1964 and is author of Italians in Ireland: A Brief History. "The first chipper was set up in Dublin in the 1880s. It was quite a unique phenomenon because the Italians set up something for themselves - in other countries, they sought jobs. But in Ireland, they ultimately created jobs for the Irish."
Now, a new generation of Italians is making a charitable contribution to their host country, through the "Club di Dublino". Unlike Club Italiano, set up in the early 1970s by Italian take-away owners, members of Club di Dublino are mostly bankers, academics or other professionals and their mission reflects the changed role of this community in Ireland.
The Italian population has grown above 5,000 over the past decade to include roughly 2,000 new arrivals - not to mention the thousands of students who visit to learn English every year. And unlike the first generation, who came mostly from the Ciociaria region, south of Naples, these newcomers are from all parts of Italy,
"Emigration is not the same thing now," says Barbato Borza, who is preparing a photography exhibition on Italians in Ireland for next spring. "My parents left thinking they may never see their families again. That doesn't exist for Italians now, because they can go back and visit when they want."
Club di Dublino has 44 members and organises various social events, such as a dinner to welcome the former Italian prime minister, Giuliano Amato, or former footballer Gianni Rivera and his wife. "We wanted to gather a group representing Italian professionals living in Ireland," says Italian ambassador Alberto Schepisi, who founded the club last year.
One of 10 such clubs around the world, it aims to raise the profile of the Italian community which has a strong business presence in Ireland with the likes of Fiat, Ferrero and numerous banking institutions, and to raise money for local charities. "We wanted to do something for Ireland because it has provided opportunities for us," says Aldo Aletti, general manager of BPM Ireland and president of Club di Dublino.
The club is holding its first charitable event on Wednesday, November 10th, when they hope to raise up to €30,000 to facilitate the refurbishment of a transitional housing scheme run by the Dublin Simon Community. The scheme offers an 18-month programme to support men and women who have been homeless or living in emergency housing.
"The apartments haven't been renovated in years and they're badly in need of repair," says Pat Lynch, project worker with Simon. "Having a clean environment will mean that people here will live with the dignity they deserve. We're really grateful to the Italians because this is going to make a major difference in people's lives."
There is less of a culture of giving in Italy than in Ireland, says club member Sebastiano Bazzoni, a director with Pioneer Investments on George's Quay. "In Italy the view of charity is very different ... Irish people have a generous nature, and I think Italians living here have learnt from that."
Ireland's little Italy
THEN ...
Charles Bianconi: Created first public transport system in Ireland, 1880s
Guglielmo Marconi: In 1885 made the first radio transmission across the Atlantic.
Joe Nannetti: Mayor of Dublin 1906
Vincent Caprani: author
... AND NOW
Michelle Rocca: Miss Ireland 1980
Tamara Gervasoni: Rose of Tralee 2002
Sergio Benedetti: Head curator of the National Gallery
Paolo Tullio: Broadcaster, journalist, actor
Mario Fusco: Fashion designer
While some Italians may love Ireland, it's not for the food. The Accademia della Cucina Italiana, which arrived in Ireland a year ago, seeks out authentic Italian restaurants in Ireland. "We are looking for real Italian food, in the traditional sense. If you modify the recipe it becomes something else, it's not Italian," says Paolo Zanni, a member of both Club di Dublino and the Accademia (086-2254620).
This year is the 50th anniversary of the presence in Dublin of the Istituto Italiano di Cultura, which is planning a series of events, including a visit by photographer Oliviero Toscani. www.italcult.ie (01-6766662)