.Garda Cathy Murphy with Santa and Inspector Donal Ashe face the camera while Garda Mary Gardiner belts out a tune during fundraising activities on The Mall on Wednesday. Photo by Dermot Crean
IT’S become a Christmas tradition over the past number of years and yet again the gardaí brought some seasonal cheer to the streets of Tralee on Wednesday.
Members of the force came out to The Mall for their annual festive fundraising drive aided by local musician and created a great atmosphere for shoppers.
This year they chose Tralee International Resource Centre (TIRC) as the beneficiary and generous shoppers gave what they could into the buckets held by gardaí and volunteers from the centre.
Some garda members gave an oul song as well as members of the public from 12noon to 3pm and a lot of fun was had. Scroll down for photos…
Garda Cecilia Scanlon and Garda Mike Courtney collecting for Tralee International Resource Centre during the Garda fundraising in the town centre on Wednesday. Photo by Dermot Crean.Sylvia Thompson and Mary O’Sullivan collecting for Tralee International Resource Centre during the Garda fundraising in the town centre on Wednesday. Photo by Dermot Crean
.Saied Kazemi gives Mary O’Sullivan a hand a the barbecue at the Tralee International Resource Centre’s Family Intercultural Evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
ALL nationalities led to Tralee International Resource Centre on Friday for a free family intercultural evening of music and food at their centre in Boherbee.
According to TIRC’s Co-ordinator, Mary Carroll; “We are delighted to be hosting this event to bring different cultures and nationalities together. TIRC’s aim is to support integration between local and international communities, and this is an ideal way to do it.”
Mary continued; “Events like this help to break down barriers and allow communities to learn more about people of different religions and cultures through food, music and friendship.”
The evening which was compered by Mike O’Donnell featured musicians from the Roma community, African drumming, and of course traditional Irish music, as well as singsongs and great food. Scroll down for photos…
Ann McKenzie, Eva and Mohammed Kayani and Guzel enjoying refreshments at the Tralee International Resource Centre’s Family Intercultural Evening. Photo by Dermot Crean.The Obadina family – Adewale, Tobi, Olamide and Adeolu – enjoying the Tralee International Resource Centre’s Family Intercultural Evening. Photo by Dermot CreanA group enjoying refreshments at the Tralee International Resource Centre’s Family Intercultural Evening. Photo by Dermot CreanPeople enjoying the Tralee International Resource Centre’s Family Intercultural Evening. Photo by Dermot CreanThe musicians entertaining at the Tralee International Resource Centre’s Family Intercultural Evening. Photo by Dermot CreanA group enjoying the Tralee International Resource Centre’s Family Intercultural Evening. Photo by Dermot Crean
.Adele Obadina, Teresa Elumelu and Wonk Oviedo at Africa Day at Tralee International Resource Centre. Photo by Dermot Crean
THERE was colour, exotic rhythms and great food at the Tralee International Resource Centre on Wednesday, for a celebration of ‘Africa Day’.
Africa Day is the annual commemoration of May 25, 1963, the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) when leaders of 30 of the 32 independent African states signed a founding charter in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Members of the African community in Tralee showed their culture through music, food and traditional dress.
Continued below…
.Yaritza Reyes with Mathias Kusi enjoying Africa Day at Tralee International Resource Day on Wednesday. Photo by Dermot Crean
“We’re just marking the event for Africans living in Tralee,” said Teresa Elumelu. “We have lovely food and a display of African flags and crafts,” she added.
“We have a big African community in Tralee with Nigerians the biggest number, along with Ghanains and northern Africans. We’re all settled and happy here,” said Teresa.
“The resource centre here plays a role in supporting our community and to integrate well in the community. They offer many programmes like English classes for people who do not have the language, a family support role and they can refer people to different agencies,” she said.
“We also have an international friends group here every Thursday, for all nationalities living in Tralee including the natives,” she added.
A group enjoying Africa Day at Tralee International Resource Day on Wednesday. Photo by Dermot Crean
The Kerry Islamic Outreach Society and TIRC will host a family fun day to celebrate Eid ul Adha.
THE Tralee International Resource Centre Ltd (TIRC) and the Kerry Islamic Outreach Society (KIOS) are getting ready to host a family fun day on Sunday September 27 in the Meadowlands Hotel.
The Kerry County Council supported fun day will run from 1pm-4pm on the day and will be in conjunction with the celebration of Eid ul Adha, the Festival of the Sacrifice.
“Our aim is to support integration between local and international communities, and we are delighted to be celebrating this religious holiday with our Muslim counterparts,” said Mary Carroll, TIRC’s Co-coordinator.
“The day will be packed full of kids entertainment, tasty food and an opportunity to meet and chat with members of the Islamic community. It will also provide the opportunity to learn more about this special occasion and the Muslim faith,” she said.
“Events like this help to break down barriers and for communities to learn more about people of different religions and cultures through food, fun and friendship,” she finished.
“Eid ul Adha is an event which reminds us of sharing happiness with every one and also reminds us to help others especially the needy ones. It’s a festival of sacrifice where we sacrifice our happiness for the happiness others. Kerry Islamic Outreach Society would like to invite the whole community to join us and share the happiness especially with children,” said Rizwan Khan, Chairperson of the KIOS.
All are welcome to the event and for more information, contact the Tralee International Resource Centre at 066 7127918 or see their Facebook page HERE.
.Maria McCarthy pictured outside the Tralee International Resource Centre which is one of the collection points for anybody wishing to donate. Photo by Dermot Crean
ORGANISERS of a charity collection campaign being run around Kerry for the refugees in Greece are warning the public about fake collectors calling to doors on their behalf (see previous story here)
The group behind the ‘Help For Humans-Kerry Ireland’ collection campaign have contacted us here at TraleeToday.ie to reiterate that they do not have any door to door collectors and that the public should should hand over anything to anyone unless they know who they are.
They are looking for tents, sleeping bags, tarpaulins, refuse sacks, men’s clothes, women’s clothes, walking shoes, practical runner, toiletries and warm coats.
Anyone wishing to donate can do so at one of the many collection points located all around the county, a list of which can be found HERE.
Money is still very much a requirement for the organisers and the campaign as well, with the cost of driving to the refugee camps in Greece looking to cost around €5000. Click HERE for the fundraising page.
Organisers have stated that if anyone is looking to set up their own collection point or indeed host a fundraising activity (ie. bake sale, coffee morning, concert, quiz night) of their own for the group, then get in touch through the ‘Help For Humans-Kerry Ireland’ Facebook page HERE.
