Activism & Volunteering

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual global campaign that runs from today, November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) until December 10 (Human Rights Day).  This year, Women’s Aid's 16 Days of Action campaign will raise awareness of the prevalence of domestic abuse in Irish society.

Around two hundred people took part in a rally at the entrance to Shannon Airport on Sunday, November 12, at which the names of children killed by weapons that may have passed through the airport were read out by peace activists.

Senator Eileen Flynn says now is the time to invest in community development. She thanked Department she had "many run-ins with" for platform to speak.

"Younger disabled people are unaware of what went before, of the struggle, the heroes and the torch that is being passed on"

National Volunteer Week is a week-long celebration of volunteering that takes place from Monday, May 15 to Sunday, May 21. Each year across Ireland, National Volunteering Week features a range of events that showcase all that is great about volunteering, from yoga to coffee mornings and seminars.

A Cork man had a woman in tears recently, yet it was a joyful occasion, one of many facilitated by local volunteers who welcome people of Irish ancestry through Ireland Reaching Out. The community-based, not-for-profit organisation provides three services, all without charge, and, this year, they aim to double the number of people availing of their meet and greet service.

A fortnight on from US president Joe Biden’s visit to Ballina and on the eve of Mayo Day 2023, it’s worth acknowledging the voluntary effort that makes such events possible. It certainly impressed The White House which was taken aback by the “calibre and number” of volunteers who stepped forward to welcome home Ballina’s famous son. “They couldn't understand how we could mobilise over 200 people within a couple of days,” said Sheila Garvin, volunteer co-ordinator for Ballina 2023.

Nationally known disability activist and community campaigner Comrade Dermot Hayes is about to publish his memoirs under the title ‘The Road That Rises - a memoir by Dermot Hayes, a boy from Kells’. Like many activists and volunteers, Dermot is a force of nature.