RendezVous353 aims to be the new ‘Irish facebook’ online
NEW YORK – A new social and business networking site, RendezVous353, was officially launched on May 6, aiming to harness the goodwill amongst the 80 million people who claim Irish heritage.
RendezVous353 was created in response to modern day emigration, providing a resource for Irish people all over the world to stay connected with each other and to provide a link between those in Ireland and the Irish-connected people, outside of Ireland.
Over 5,000 members worldwide have already signed up. The newly launched version of the site aims to connect Irish business people around the world, encouraging social interaction and creating a platform for business networking amongst the diaspora.
The site ultimately hopes to boost the Irish economy by increasing the support system between the Irish living at home and abroad.
Similar to other social networking sites, members become friends and share news, tips on living abroad and business opportunities.
The concept was born out of the personal experience of co-founder, Galway man, Terry McLoughlin, who worked on extended contracts in Qatar.
His co-founder, Limerick man Richard O’Donnell, shared this vision and is also applying his 25 years experience of the international software and technology to the project.
They have privately funded the website, together with a small number of other Limerick based investors.
Speaking at the ‘Start Spreading the News’ seminar at the Rockefeller Centre in New York on May 6, site founder Terry McLoughlin said, “A tool like RendezVous 353 is more relevant now than ever with increased emigration and the need to stay in touch with loved ones.”
He added, “We have been referred to as the ‘Irish facebook’, but the site holds much more possibility than that. We will be driving our own agenda and spreading the Irish connections between friends and strangers from all walks of life. RendezVous 353 is exactly what it means to be Irish.”
Already, word has spread and members on the site hail from a plethora of far-reaching continents including Ireland, US, Canada, UK, Australia, Argentina, Sudan, Oman, China, Singapore, Qatar, Jakarta, and all major European cities. Members have arranged meetings in Kampala, Uganda, South Africa, Chile, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
RendezVous353 is being supported by regional ‘champions’ in many countries and by well-know names in Ireland and abroad including musicians Paul Brady ,The Saw Doctors, and Brendan Keeley, who have all joined and set up MiniSites on RendezVous353.
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