Ukrainian refugees

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.

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

A further €50 million has been allocated to the Community Recognition Fund, which was introduced last year to recognise the huge efforts made by communities in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland.

“Relating to people’s thoughts, fears and concerns, you take the sting out of it,” says Marie Louise Byrne, a community work co-ordinator with Wexford Local Development.

A 61-page report titled ‘Greater than Fear: A Community Based Response to Tackling Hate and Extremism’ was published in early September and draws on experience in five Irish towns countering hate and fascism.

Irish music legend Phil Coulter has teamed up with a choir of 40 Ukrainian singers across Ireland to release a new version of ‘Steal Away’, his 1983 song about a couple fleeing the Troubles.