Refugees/Ukraine

Ukrainian support workers in North East West Kerry Development (NEWKD) have created online resources for Ukrainian refugees about life in Ireland and information on career options. Tralee Library has also installed a Ukrainian language bookshelf.

The growth of a camp of 215 tents in April along streets and laneways near the building where people apply for refugee status was a new phenomenon for Dublin inner city community workers seeking to support everyone.

Active Arranmore coordinator Fiona Ní Ghloinn believes the Government could be doing more to help Ukrainians in their late teens and twenties to integrate.

Tetiana (Tania) Kovalova from Ukraine has been working with Sisk to build modular homes for fellow refugees. Her work in Ireland fuels her dream of one day helping to rebuild Ukraine.  She has been working since the first week she landed in Shannon Airport in May 2022. She came here devastated over what she left behind, nervous of what lay ahead, carrying a small bag, her passport and €300 in savings. She came alone, speaking no English.

In a recent visit to Árainn Mhór, Allen Meagher was hoping to meet one particular Ukrainian family. The whole family could not make it, but Alexander, proud father of five children, told the story that astounded locals.

John McCafferty says that Árainn Mhór island in Co. Donegal would welcome another 100 or more people fleeing war and strife. He objects as an Irish person, proud of our history, to arson as a form of protest and does not understand why anyone would engage in such acts.

From city life in Ukraine to "a rock" off the coast of Donegal - Árainn Mhór's Ukrainian population have settled well into island life and their new community

Ukrainian men are allowed to leave their country, despite the war, when they meet certain criteria.