Empowerment

So, what happens when couples from different cultures and faith traditions decide to get married? Esras Films is looking at exactly that for the second series of its show A Ring and a Prayer due to be filmed this year and broadcast in 2026. Currently, it is appealing for couples, at least one of whom is not Irish, to come forward. They must be planning their wedding ceremony for this year.

There is a racehorse in New Zealand called Fettercairn, which also happens to be the name of an estate in West Tallaght in Dublin. It seems like an odd coincidence, until you realise that the mare’s trainer is Samantha Wynne, a native of Fettercairn whose equestrian skills were fostered as a teenage member of Fettercairn Youth Horse Project (FYHP). “It’s kind of a little family within the community. The staff here are all local, everybody knows everybody, so it’s really community-based,” said manager Colette Needham. Thirty years ago, the project got off the ground after strong campaigning and fundraising by local residents, community workers and elected representatives.

Child Poverty statistics from the ESRI - January 2025

Employers in Galway city and county are to benefit from the launch today of new employment toolkits to assist companies and organisations to recruit, retain and respect those with disabilities in the workforce. The toolkits were launched simultaneously in Galway city and county today by Hildegarde Naughton, minister of state with responsibility for disability.

Moyross is unusual in having a Marian Shrine dedicated to remembering local children who are deceased and on Monday close to a hundred people gathered at the shrine to light candles and remember each and every one of them. People wept as the names of at least 50 children and young people were read out.

BY THADY KAVANAGH

Traveller culture awareness workshops in Co. Wexford are improving the ability of employees in state agencies to deliver services for the Traveller population. The workshops have also been held in primary schools, increasing awareness among the general school population and instilling pride among Traveller children in particular. Such workshops also take place in other counties; we focused on one county to see the difference they make.

Notes on above figures: • Figures for 2007-2009 refer to the Community Development Programme and the Local Development Social Inclusion Programme (combined). • These programmes were amalgamated into the Local Community Development Programme (which operated between 2010 and April 2015). • This programme evolved into the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) that has operated since 2015.