Thurles Ukrainian Community Centre to host second annual open day this weekend

Written by Chairperson of TUCC, John M Gleeson

The second open day for the Thurles Ukrainian Community Centre will take place on Saturday, May 27, from 11.30am to 2.30pm.

There, visitors can meet up with new neighbours and get a taste of their unique cuisine etc.

TUCC evolved initially as a play space for the children of Ukrainian Refugees, housed in the Thurles area and principally in the

Anner Hotel, following the Russian invasion in late February 2022. The building, located between the Premier Hall and the Courthouse in Rossa Street, was formerly a creche run by Thurles Community Social Services (TCSS), and it had ceased operations due to the Government’s introduction of the Free Childcare Scheme for children up to 5 years old.

Covid would also prove a fatal blow.

It was then decided to reopen as a Community Resource Centre for the growing Ukrainian population in Ireland, numbering 20,000 people by May of last year and now running to approximately 85,000, twelve month’s on.

A committee was formed to include members of the Rotary Club of Thurles and TCSS to manage the facility with the idea of creating a welcome space for these new immigrants who had fled their homes and country and to enable them to meet, socialise, network and pursue work opportunities, English language classes and general integration with the local community in Thurles.

The first open day was held in the centre in August last year, at which a large number of locals were treated to the wonderful taste of Ukrainian cooked dishes and pastries etc.

The day began with the singing of their National Anthem and was interspersed with face painting, music and food tasting on a large scale.

A marquee was erected in the space between the Premier Hall and The Courthouse, and the event was a huge success.

TUCC has grown considerably over the past year and now has its own Ukrainian Centre Manager (Natalia). Activities now occur on a daily basis to include, Music, Art Classes, English Language Classes, Dance, Yoga, Mindfulness, Film Nights etc.

More importantly the centre has become a home away home for the newly arrived to learn from those who have made Thurles and the surrounding areas their home in the past year.

Many have moved from the hotels and hostels into apartment and house accommodations and have their children enrolled in our schools, entering employment also where possible.

Please come along on Saturday. Entry is free, and all are welcome.