Activism & Volunteering

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.

Little Free Libraries are now to be found dotted around the country, giving people the chance to take a book at their leisure or to leave books behind for others, but where are they coming from? The Little Free Library is a global phenomenon that began in the US state of Wisconsin in 2009 when the late Todd Bol built the first Little Free Library outside his house.

Jerry Buttimer, the Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, today addressed the situation that community worker Sarah Clancy and other Irish citizens who have been detained by Israeli authorities while attempting to sail to Gaza find themselves in. He said international law applies to all of us, including Israel, and expressed concern for Sarah and others.

Sarah Clancy, a well-known community worker based in Co. Clare, was among the Irish contingent sailing to Gaza with aid who were abducted in international waters last night by Israeli armed forces. She was sailing on board the Spectre along with Senator Chris Andrews and others, when attacked. Sarah has given staunch service to communities across Ireland over many years.

Taoiseach spoke of remembering volunteers slain in Israel's war on Gaza, and of volunteers at home helping in pandemic, during storms, welcoming refugees, and the Government's future plans.

The surprising thing about No Name Clubs is not so much their unusual name, but that there are not many more of them in a country trying to point new generations towards healthy lifestyles and away from alcohol, drugs and pubs. There are 21 No Name Clubs in Ireland today and perhaps the miracle is not alone that they have survived now for 50 years, but are gradually growing in number. The clubs engage 15-18 year-olds in fun weekly activities and longer term projects in areas they choose themselves.

South Dublin's Bernie Roche was named Community Volunteer of the Year at the Local Authority Members Association (LAMA) Awards for her tireless efforts to improve her local area. Bernie is the secretary of Rathfarnham Village Tidy Towns, and she has been involved in a number of environmental groups in recent years.

While Gaza is almost completely under siege, Palestine’s West Bank, despite Israeli attacks there, remains accessible to community workers and humanitarian workers seeking to provide support, bear witness and show solidarity. Oliver Moore went with a farming organisation and visited mostly rural communities in the West Bank: