Community

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.

“The far-right does not represent working people – trade unions do”, is the message contained in a powerful anti-racist short video that was released by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) on May Day. Congress General Secretary Owen Reidy said: "The video is part of an overall plan by unions to counter the far-right and to promote the fact that the trade union movement was built on the simple idea of uniting working people standing stronger together at home and abroad, committed to fighting poverty, discrimination, racism, and fascism."

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.

More than 50 Connected Hubs hosted events nationwide on April 26 to celebrate the national ‘Connected Hubs Showcase Day’. Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, launched the event at the Creative Spark Downtown Hub in Dundalk, County Louth. The programme included co-working crawls, talks from guest speakers, and coffee mornings all across the country.

A Cork-based charity has selected 22 young Irish people to take part in a global cultural immersion programme. EIL Intercultural Learning, a non-profit organisation focused on intercultural learning and exchange, has chosen 11 third level students and 11 under 18s for its prestigious EIL Explore programme for 2023.

The 2023 SuperValu TidyTowns competition was launched this week in Trim, Co Meath, which was crowned Ireland’s tidiest town last year. The competition is familiar to all, as it celebrates its 65th anniversary this year. However, alongside the main event, there are an additional 14 sponsored Special Awards, with prize money awarded to initiatives focused on improving local communities.

A photography exhibition currently on display in North Dublin is celebrating the often underestimated leadership roles of women in community organisations and sports groups. ‘Through our Eyes, the Power of Women’s Leadership in Community Action’, is an initiative of Fingal County Council’s She Leads Women’s Leaders programme.

It may be news to some, but Cork is home to a thriving Mexican community, which has become a vibrant and important part of life in the Rebel County. In 2002, a group of Mexicans now living in the city and county set up The Mexican Community in Cork to help support the integration of Mexicans and their culture into Irish society. The group’s aims also include preserving their culture and traditions, and promoting a positive image of Mexico abroad.