Would you like to be able to have your say on who will be the next President of Ireland, but can't because you currently live abroad? Ireland is one of the only countries in the developed world that doesn't have a system to allow overseas citizens a vote, so ahead of the election and blasphemy referendum next week, we've set up a bespoke tool to allow you to have your say in a "virtual vote" on both issues. More than 2,000 of you had your say in a similar virtual vote for the Eighth Amendment in May. You must be a member of the Irish Times Abroad Network (which is free to join), and opted in to participate in polls. To do both, click here. You'll receive your ballot paper by email on Monday.
We featured two impactful stories on mental health this week that are worth reading if you haven't already: Shaun Lavelle spoke to emigrants and experts in the Netherlands to explore how the "culture shock" experienced by people after they move country can often lead to anxiety or depression; and Ali Baker shared her experience of losing her brother to suicide, her own struggles with mental health in the aftermath, and how Pieta House and the Light Ball Sydney (which takes place this weekend), helped her pull through.
If you work in education and are looking for a fresh start, New Zealand is advertising for hundreds of teachers from abroad, including Ireland, to fill vacant jobs around the country next year. Peter McGuire takes a look at the positions, salaries and relocation bonuses on offer , and how they compare to Ireland.
From infamy as a petty criminal to fame as an artist, "Tattoo Man" Samuel O'Reilly's life was certainly a colourful one. The Irish-American who invented the modern tattoo machine is this week's Extraordinary Emigrant.
The Late Late Show broadcast from London last weekend, and the reaction from Irish people living there has been far from positive. Tanya Sweeney's review echoes the consensus: 'A glorified town hall shindig'.
You'll find plenty more stories by and about the Irish diaspora this week on irishtimes.com/abroad.
To receive this digest to your inbox each week, you can join the free Irish Times Abroad Network here.Thanks for reading.
