More than three and a half years after the Russian invasion saw millions of Ukrainians displaced, efforts in the north west of Ireland to integrate them into the local economy and society continue. Among the displaced is Anna Koka, who came to Ireland in April, 2022. At home she worked in banking, but she is now the Ukrainian Employment Links Worker with Sligo LEADER Partnership.
Read More
Father Michael Mernagh laughs gently when he recalls being taken into custody well over 30 years ago: “We were arrested out in Firhouse, for supporting a Traveller family. We went out to support the family, a number of priests and nuns, and we were arrested by the Gardai,” he remembers.
It must have been a bizarre scene, as the Gardai came to take away the religious folk, who were looking to shelter a family who were being moved on.
Read More
Meetings, once almost always an in-person affair for all sections of society, changed dramatically in the pandemic, suddenly becoming entirely virtual affairs. Community groups and organisations up and down Ireland found their means of communication cut very suddenly. Most adapted quite quickly and largely successfully.
But five and half years since Covid emerged the dust is still settling to some extent. That’s certainly the case for Tullamore Toastmasters who held their first fully in person meeting since the pandemic in September.
Read More
The death of Sister Stanislaus Kennedy led to many tributes and stories being told by social workers, activists and teachers who were influenced by her bravery, modesty and determination to fight systems that led to injustice.
Read More
In early October, a new EU-funded pilot project was launched in North Kildare, bringing together local communities, employers, and Ukrainian refugees. It is the only Irish project selected for this Europe-wide programme, which aims to explore practical approaches to refugee integration.
Read More