Guess Who’s Coming To Вечеря

Only here for the Barcaffe

atest press release from Tiglin, issued on Saturday, October 29th 2022…

The Ukrainian Ambassador to Ireland, Her Excellency Gerasko Larysa, today visited the Tiglin Centre in Greystones to open their shiny new games room at Coolnagreina.

Joining the ambassador for the happy occasion were TDs Simon Harris and Jennifer Whitmore, councillors Gerry Walsh and Stephen Stokes, plus Tiglin volunteers such as Rodney Evans and Rachel Harper.

The Coolnagreina centre has become home to 109 people who have fed their homes and their towns in Ukraine in search of safety.

Greeted by residents from across all generations who are currently residing at the facility proudly displaying some traditional food, crafts, on a tour of the facilities, the ambassador met staff and residents, and heard stories from the past 8 months.

That the youngest was born here just two months ago is a reminder that it is always the innocents who are the victims of war.

And as buggies lined the reception area of The Rise at Coolnagreina, it was a vivid reminder that as tanks rolled into towns and villages in Ukraine, buggies and wheelchairs fled.

It was late into the night on St Patrick’s Day 2022 that the Tigin centre The Rise at Coolnagreina started to welcome its first number of families.

Simon swipes another cake

Throughout the night, the phone rang, and more and more people arrived.

The Wicklow-based charity that is entrenched within the community and has worked closely with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to ensure a network of supports were mobilised for those displaced by the war in their land.

“The impacts that this war is having and will continue to have will be felt for many years to come,” said Aubrey McCarthy, chairman of Tiglin. “Our staff, volunteers and counsellors have created a network of willing people who are trained in trauma-informed care, children’s therapy, job activation and community integration.”

Ireland has always been the land of a thousand welcomes. As we help to support Ukrainian people find their feet in Ireland, we do so knowing that our willingness to support hails from a rich heritage of both being the giver and the receiver of generosity, love and charity.

“The local people have been amazing,” says Tiglin CEO Phil Thompson. “Sports clubs, schools, Lions clubs, Rotary Club and local business have gone above and beyond to ensure that while they live in this town, our Ukrainian visitors are a welcome part of this community.”

McCarthy added, “We have worked hard with the relevant government agencies to create 109 beds spaces. When a family is separated under such tragic circumstances, there will be layers of support and care needed. Our children’s therapist and family support services have been a vital source of help and support to those who have come.”

With the uncertainly of how long this war will last, one thing that is a known fact is that Ireland has stepped up to the task, alongside our European counterparts, to open our doors and allow our Ukrainian friends to make Ireland their home.

You can find out more local Ukrainian news here, and more about Tiglin right here.