Inspiring art exhibition in Laois Library kicks off International Refugee Week

“In welcoming refugees, we not only offer them a chance for a new beginning, we also enrich our own communities with their diverse perspectives, talents and skills," said Minister Joe O'Brien at the event.

Kicking off International Refugee Week, Ukrainian refugees and residents of Rathdowney’s Commercial Inn launched their art exhibition in Rathdowney library last night.

The theme of the exhibition was “Our Home”, and exhibited a wide range of artworks by refugees who have found their new home in Rathdowney.

Paintings captured the meaning of ‘home’ to the artist, with each piece telling a story in displacement, belonging and community.

Pictured- Cllr John King addressing the large crowd that came out to support the event in Rathdowney library.

The event was organised by Laois County Council Integration Service and Laois Partnership.

The library was filled with members of all communities expressing their support, where attendees enjoyed an emotional performance from Nigerian poet Dagogo Hart, and a musical performance from Rathdowney’s Men's Shed.

Rathdowney's Men's Shed performing at the event.

One Commercial Inn resident named Roegchanda expressed her delight in taking part, and spoke on the difficulties of displacement.

“I think what's important is integration and warmth,” said Roechanda.

“I want to say thank you to the community for opening their door to us, and for making us feel safe,” she said.

Organisers and featured artists from the Ukrainian Spring Crescent modular development site.

Laois County Council Director of Services Carmel McNicholl also spoke at the event, and gave special thanks to the people of Rathdowney for their integration efforts.

“A case in point when talking about Rathdowney is the modular home development which accommodates 42 Ukrainian families, which has taken place over the last year,” she said.

“Discussions with the Council in relation to that development commenced in November 2022.

The Council went forward working with the Department of Integration in arranging a community engagement process here in Rathdowney in February 2023, and it was very clear even at that early stage that there was a very positive, very welcoming and favourable response from the community,” said the Director.

“The residents arrived in December 2023 and shortly after their arrival a welcome event was held in the library. That community spirit was present even before the arrival of the modular homes, and it has continued to prevail in the intervening months.

I would like to thank the artists who are here today to honour and acknowledge their talent and creativity, which will be available for anyone passing through this lovely space,” Director Carmel McNicholl finished.

Pictured- some of the artwork displayed in the exhibition.

Minister of State for Community Development, Integration and Charities Joe O’Brien TD was also in attendance, and highlighted the integration efforts on both a national and local level.

“Two of my departments are dedicated to promoting equality, integration and inclusion," said Minister O'Brien.

"I do want to thank the work of Laois Partnership, for all the work they do to support local integration, especially over the last two years,” said the Minister.

“Today’s event is part of a national programme of events to mark refugee week.

This is a global initiative that highlights the strength, resilience and contributions of refugees around the world.

We have a shared responsibility to provide a safe and supportive environment to those who have been forced to flee their homes,” he said.

“In welcoming refugees, we not only offer them a chance for a new beginning, we also enrich our own communities with their diverse perspectives, talents and skills.”

Minister Joe O'Brien speaking to the audience and members of Laois County Council at the launch.

At the event, Minister O’Brien welcomed the launch of both the Ireland Against Racism Fund, and the Community Recognition Fund.

“A range of integration programmes are well established here, including the Asylum Migration Integration Fund and the National Integration Fund, but the Community Integration Fund is one that Laois in particular has benefitted from.

But in terms of more, I’ll put two things on your radar- later this month we will be launching the Ireland Against Racism Fund, and the Community Recognition Fund,” said Minister O’Brien.

Recently re-elected County Councillor John King came out to support the event in his hometown, declaring that “Rathdowney is alive and well”.

“Rathdowney is alive and well and it's going to expand,” said Councillor King.

“The ladies here in the Commercial Inn have taken part in the Tidy Towns, and they’ve done Trojan work.

"It's all about working together and sharing our talents. I'm very glad of last Friday, we had a tough few days and were looking forward to working with the people.

Let's all work together for the future of our community,” said Cllr King.

On the launch of Refugee Week, Laois Integration Team released this statement on Rathdowney;

“In recent years the community has welcomed a Brazilian community working in the town’s meat processing plant, residents of the IP Emergency Centre, and residents of the ‘Spring Crescent’ Modular housing development for Ukrainian refugees.

The local community response is exemplary and makes all the new residents feel welcomed, included and integrated into the community. There is also a very strong presence and working relationships between agencies and service providers, LAIT, LOETB, SICAP, Laois Sports Partnership (to mention just a few) all working together on the delivery of integration services.”

The exhibition is open to the public from the 17th-23rd of June.

"Refugee Week is the world’s largest arts & culture festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary. Established in 1998 in the UK, this annual festival aligns with World Refugee Day, celebrated globally on June 20th.

The theme for Refugee Week 2024 is “Our Home”. From the places we gather to share meals to our collective home, planet earth: everyone is invited to celebrate what our Our Home means to them. This year the Integration team partnered with Laois Libraries, LOETB and various Tidy Towns groups to deliver a number of events across county Laois. All of them have one aim: to send a message of welcome that can help everyone feel like they belong."