Offaly people thanked in moving ceremony hosted by Ukrainian refugees

Ukrainians now living in the Tullamore area having fled their own country following the Russian invasion two years ago hosted a “Solidarity Banquet” recently to thank the people of Offaly for welcoming them into the community.

Ukrainian families were joined by people from across the community in Tullamore and Offaly in the Charleville Centre for what proved to be an emotional and moving ceremony.

Among those in attendance was the Ukrainian Ambassador to Ireland, Larysa Gerasko and members of Sonyashnyk Offaly, a support and assistance HUB for people people who were displaced from Ukraine.

Members of the Sonyashnyk Offaly group spoke at the event as did representatives of Offaly County Council, Offaly Volunteer Centre, the Health Service Executive and the Tullamore Community Training Centre.

Two moving films – one chronicling the story of Ukrainians fleeing the war who settled in Ireland and the other charting the destruction of the beautiful city of Mariupol – were shown to a captivated audience.

Local Rector, Can Isaac Delamere, noted the event was taking place on the eve of St Patrick's Day, one of so many symbols of Irishness.

Canon Delamere stressed that Patrick came to Ireland as a stranger, bringing the gift of faith, and he said this was a “timely reminder to us all to welcome the stranger.”

He said he hoped the Irish people would never lose their sense of welcoming and would always remain hospitable.

Ukrainian Ambassador Laryso Gerasko said the Ukrainian people were still defending their country and fighting for democracy two years after the Russian invasion of 2022.

“We have paid a huge price in human life,” she outlined and added that the Russians “continue to bombard us every single day.”

“People have fled the country in order to save their lives and the lives of the children,” outlined Ms Gerasko who stressed the young generation were the future of her country.

She continued; “I want to thank the people of Tullamore for helping us and for opening your homes and hearts to us.”

The ambassador said Ireland had not only helped Ukrainians who had fled here but was also providing support to the country in its ongoing struggle.

“Thank you for supplying machines that help locate mines as over 25 per cent of our country – an area twice the size of Ireland – is mined.”

She said that Irish people had a big heart: “Irish people and Ukrainian people have something common in our DNA . . maybe that's why we get on so well together.”

She said both nations had fought for their independence and both had suffered terrible famines in their past.

She extended thanks to the Charleville Centre for hosting the event and to Charleville NS where so many Ukrainian children were now enrolled as pupils.

Ms Gerasko also thanked representatives of public bodies in attendance, Deirdre Fox, Manager of the Offaly Volunteer Centre, and the local politicians present – Cllr Delan Harvey, Cllr Sean O'Brien and Cllr Mark Hackett.

Cllr Harvey, who is Cathaoirleach of Tullamore Municipal District, extended a welcome to all in attendance in the Ukrainian language which was greeted with applause by the large number of Ukrainians present.

In a breif address he wished all a happy St Patrick's Day and said the Ukrainian people were very welcome to Tullamore and to Offaly.

Canon Isaac Delamere said Charleville NS – the smallest school in Tullamore – was very proud to host the largest number of Ukrainian pupils.

He said the school had been enriched by the presence of the pupils and said it had been lovely to see at first hand the joy of those children when they attended a lego day held on the previous Friday at the Charleville Centre.

Lynsey McCabe, Manager of Tullamore Community Training Centre, said the Ukrainians had brought so much to Tullamore and the centre since they first attended classes back in May 2022.

Initially she admitted to being worried about how the language barrier would be overcome but this had proven to be no issue over the past two years.

Young film maker, Vladyslav Biadil Bomrmrmnko, who spent months hiding in a basement after the Russians attacked his home city, Mariupol, before coming to Ireland, said the city had now been destroyed and lay in ruins with the loss of much life.

His film, showing the beauty of the city before the invasion and its current ruined state, was shown to stunned silence in the packed audience.

After the formalities the attendance enjoyed a delicious spread of Ukrainian meats, sweets, confectionery and other delicacies.

As the attendance enjoyed the refreshments they admired the drawings painted by Ukrainiain children, displayed on the walls of the Charleville Centre, which were adorned with slogans such as “I love Ireland”, “Ireland Helps” and “Ireland – My Family is my Life – Ukraine”.