THERE was a large gathering of asylum seekers, people from the Tralee International Resource Centre and volunteers at the annual Christmas Party on Saturday afternoon.
Santa made an appearance and they all enjoyed a Christmas dinner and entertainment.
Held in Kerins O’Rahilly’s Clubhouse, Gillian Wharton of TIRC explained what the day was about.
“We have this every year for the people in the Direct Provision housing. People have been very generous to us in giving us presents for the children which were handed out by Santa,” said Gillian.
“It’s mostly people from the Johnston Marina here, but there are men from the International Friends Group who are living in Atlas House, one or two families who have got their residency and have ties to the Direct Provision house and other volunteers here.”
“It’s lovely for the children because they wouldn’t have much extra curricular activities as other kids because of financial constraints, so it’s great to give them that Christmas atmosphere,” said Gillian.
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Tina Diggin, Gillian Wharton, Christina Buckley, Kristine Silina and Alketa Mucad at the TIRC Christmas party in the Kerins O’Rahilly’s Clubhouse on Saturday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean
Paul Abraham, Youlia Zidarova, Aisling Sugrue and David Rath at the TIRC Christmas party in the Kerins O’Rahilly’s Clubhouse on Saturday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean
Desiree Wassink, Theresa Elumelu and Sarah Ryall at the TIRC Christmas party in the Kerins O’Rahilly’s Clubhouse on Saturday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean
Patricia Tlou, Caroline Doyle, Catriona Doyle O’Brien and Brid Doyle O’Brien at the TIRC Christmas party in the Kerins O’Rahilly’s Clubhouse on Saturday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean
A group attending the TIRC Christmas party in the Kerins O’Rahilly’s Clubhouse on Saturday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean
