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8th May 2013
05:40pm BST
If there’s one thing Irish people know, it’s a good cup of tea. Sometimes, in foreign climes, it’s hard to get your hands on, and the longing sets in…
Lyons Tea unveiled some interesting research into the tastes and trends of the Irish diaspora as part of the launch of the ‘Bring The Talk Home’ campaign, giving the tea drinking population of Ireland the chance to bring loved ones home from abroad over the next year. Lyons Tea commissioned in-depth research with Irish people who had lived abroad to find out exactly what they missed about Ireland while living abroad with some surprising results.
A surprising 69% of Irish people surveyed said they missed enjoying a cup of tea most, ahead of a pint in the local pub. Tea was the most missed Irish product for Irish men abroad (54%), while Irish chocolate and crisps came in a close behind. While both male and female populations ranked spending time with family and friends as the most missed activity, the national pastime of cups of tea and chats came second, ahead of attending local GAA matches or watching sporting events with friends.
Speaking at the launch of the campaign in Dublin, UK based TV presenter, Liz Bonnin, was delighted to return home for the event, “At the moment I am travelling a lot for filming, so really appreciate what it is like for those away from home, missing their home comforts. There is really nothing like the cups of tea and chats with friends and family, so a campaign like this is a great way to bring loved ones home for a treat.”
Diarmaid Ferriter, author and expert on Irish emigration commented on the results of the survey, “Emigration has been central to the Irish experience for nearly 200 years and more recently with 68,000 emigrating from April 2009 to April 2011 and a further 46,500 from April 2011 to April 2012.”
“This Lyons Tea survey is a further reminder that behind all the emigration statistics over the centuries and decades, certain things remain constant and unchanging; the Irish abroad still feel a need to gravitate towards each other.”
“It would seem that drinking tea is the activity that creates the most satisfying taste of home, generating vital bonds of sociability and interaction. The importance of the tea drinking ritual in Irish culture is clearly one that is deep rooted and longed for when abroad.”
To take part in Lyons Tea ‘Bring The Talk Home’, consumers simply pick up a special promotional Lyons Tea pack and enter the ‘Bring The Talk Home’ competition via Lyons Facebook (www.Facebook.com/lyons.ireland) or post. Lyons Tea will give 8 people a month the chance to fly a friend or family member home from abroad. They will be giving away flights every month for the next year.
For further information on the Lyons Tea ‘Bring The Talk Home’ campaign visit www.lyonstea.ie or www.Facebook.com/lyons.ireland
