Cultural Diversity in Co Leitrim

County Leitrim celebrated a week of Intercultural and Ecumenical events  during the summer. The inspiration was the celebration of the cultural diversity found among our neighbours. Leitrim County Council, Peace 111 and Good Relations EU Programme, funded the initiative.

Jackie Maguire (County Manager) and Enda Stenson (Cathaoirleach of the County Council) are seen above

The highlight of the week  was the Citizens’ Ceremony – Welcome to our National Family held in the Bush Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon.  Every migrant who had received an Irish Passport in the past few months was invited to come that evening to celebrate this significant occasion for them and for us. Leitrim’s County Manager and the Cathaoirleach of the County Council congratulated every new citizen in the county. They  welcomed them warmly and stressed how our lives have been enriched in Leitrim by the presence of such a diverse group.

Kurdish couple seen above, now have Irish passports.

To mark the significance of that Monday evening Zephyrin Ngaliema from The Integration Centre – Connecting Communities, Advancing Integration travelled from Dublin to address the group, showing the national link with centres such as Leitrim and highlighting the need for mutual cooperation with all agencies in the process of integration. Young people were very much part of the celebration. They were reminded of the important role they will play as future citizens of Leitrim and of Ireland. They were urged to avail of all the opportunities being offered as active and important members, now and in the future. Praise was given to those who are working to make migrants feel part of their chosen areas. Responsible citizenship and local involvement were stressed by Zephyrin as ways forward, now that migrants have settled in schools and local communities.

Halala, seen above with her husband

Halala Ahmadi, Chairperson of Leitrim Intercultural Forum, then addressed the assembly as a gesture of gratitude on behalf of the migrants. She thanked Leitrim for the degree of support they have experienced, as they settled in their respective areas, especially during the past number of years. She also spoke of her own experiences, from leaving the Kurdish Refugee camp in Jordan to her arrival in Carrick-on-Shannon. This was very moving to hear, as one can only imagine what such a transition would entail. What they had experienced in the past, Halala said, did not deter them from looking forward with hope and gratitude with the sense of belonging that is theirs now, in their new home.

Music, song, dance, laughter and lots of talk echoed through the Bush Hotel, as a finale to this very significant evening for all.

Nora Burke rsm
Western Province