Community

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.

Ten years after it was founded, Scariff Bay Community Radio has sought a full licence that would allow it to dramatically increase its level of broadcasting. “We’re looking for a ten-year licence, a full community radio licence. That would allow us to broadcast seven days a week if we want to,” said station manager Jim Collins. It is the first time in eight years that a community radio station in Ireland running on a temporary licence has applied for a full licence.

Carol Baumann did not realise she and her neighbours were living in poverty until she went to secondary school and saw how others lived. That experience and her mother’s involvement in the community and her strong principled stance on fair play and social justice helped to guide Carol into work in the world of development.

A community centre in Co. Meath has shown other centres the way when it comes to energy efficiency, carbon reduction efforts and saving money. Actions taken over the years have saved the centre €14,000 per annum on energy costs while reducing emissions by 14 tonnes of CO2 annually.

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.

Having been founded in 2021, the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) nowadays finds itself at the centre of some important cases and demand for its services is growing. The centre was set up by Community Law and Mediation which has now itself grown to now employ 25 staff and around 80 volunteers. It is an unique project worth knowing more about as it could be in your community's interests one day to call on the CEJ.

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.