A ‘SOLIDARITY SHINDIG’ was held in Ennis on Saturday to welcome some of the county’s newest residents.
Organisers say 60 locals and 60 asylum seekers attended the party at Tracklands Business Park in Ennis which featured a drumming workshop from West Clare musician Brian Fleming, Kizomba dancing and Nepalese music.
The event was supported by Clare Immigrant Support Centre, Clare Leader Forum, Clare Local Development Company, Clare PPN, Clare Solidarity Network, Clare Traveller CDP, CATU Clare, Fáilte Isteach Clare, Mna Ag Gaire, the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland, Quare Clare LGBTQ+ and Women’s Collective Ireland Clare.
Co-ordinator of the Clare Public Participation Network, Sarah Clancy said the event was “a great success and a chance for some of those new to Clare and Ireland to meet and get to know the culture, craic and people of Clare”.
She explained that the party was “a way of saying ‘Welcome’, but also a great opportunity for people to get to know some of Clare’s newest residents. Those of us involved in the various groups behind this event have enjoyed getting to know many of these new arrivals in recent years. We’re aware that many people in Clare haven’t had the chance to meet new members of their community”.
Prior to the shindig, residents from Direct Provision centres across the county gathered to meet with representatives of MASI – the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland.
