Community

Share |

The Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration (formerly the Office of the Minister of State for Integration) was set up to develop, drive and co-ordinate policy in relation to the integration of legally resident immigrants across Government Departments so that our immigrants are fully integrated into Irish society: www.integration.ie

6 - 7 Hanover Street East, Dublin 2
Telephone: 01 474 8627
E-mail: info@integration.ie

I would like to get involved in the local community in some way, what are my options?

A good idea is to go to your local community centre and ask what clubs and associations use the centre. Your local library is also a good source of information about community centres, local activities, clubs and associations that you may be interested in. Libraries also run their own courses and events: www.library.ie

Your local VEC (Vocational Educational Committee) is likely to hold a variety of formal educational courses and general interest courses.

Ireland has a rich variety of community and voluntary organisations that you can get involved in. Your local community centre or library is a good place to start.

The Integration Centre’s network of more than 250 immigrant groups and organisations nationwide works towards a just diverse and inclusive Irish society that ensures the full participation and rights of migrants, immigrants, refugees and people seeking asylum: www.integrationcentre.ie

18 Dame Street, Dublin 2
Telephone: 01 6453070
Email: info@integrationcentre.ie

To find migrant led organisations in your area check out the Immigrant Council of Ireland’s Directory of Migrant Led Organisations: www.immigrantcouncil.ie

I would like to start my own community or voluntary organisation where can I get help?

The Wheel is a support and representative body connecting Community and Voluntary organisations across Ireland. For more information go to www.wheel.ie. The Carmichael Centre is also a good source of information and support www.carmichaelcentre.ie
Back to Top

Sports

Sports clubs are widespread across Ireland. The following are the websites of some national organisations that have a large network of clubs and branches all over Ireland:

You can also go to the ‘Participation’ link of www.irishsportscouncil.ie for a more comprehensive list of organisations.

The Gaelic Athletic Association

The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) is the largest amateur sports association in Ireland. The main aim of the organisation is to promote the Gaelic games of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders. The most popular of these games are Gaelic football, hurling and camogie. There are approximately 2,500 GAA clubs in Ireland. For more information on the history of Gaelic games, the GAA, the rules of games go to www.gaa.ie

GAA
Croke Park Stadium, Dublin 3
Telephone: 01 8363222

Sport Against Racism Ireland (SARI) supports and promotes cultural integration and social inclusion through sport: www.sari.ie

135 Capel Street, Dublin 1
Telephone: 01 8735077
Email: info@sari.ie

Show Racism the Red Card uses sport to educate against racism and supports programmes that encourage integration and sport: www.theredcard.ie

The Integration Centre, 18 Dame Street, Dublin 2
Telephone: 01 6453096
Email: info@theredcard.ie

Back to Top

Other Sports

  • Golf is a very popular sport and pastime in Ireland. There are many golf courses and clubs throughout the country.
  • Hiking trails/walking groups
    • Discover Ireland provides information and advice on walking trails throughout the country.
    • Slí na Sláinte is a simple and innovative scheme developed by the Irish Heart Foundation to encourage people of all ages and abilities to walk for leisure and good health: www.irishheart.ie

Back to Top

Volunteering

Another good way of getting to know people from different backgrounds is to volunteer in your local community. There are many different volunteering opportunities.

According to Volunteer Ireland, the National Volunteer Development Agency, there are many benefits to volunteering:

  • Work experience, that may be added to your CV
  • Exploring a career path
  • Developing and learning new skills
  • Making a difference/positive contribution
  • Training
  • The opportunity to do something you love
  • Meeting new people
  • Learning about Irish culture

For more information you can contact

Volunteer Ireland, 18 Eustace Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
Telephone: 01 6369446
Email: info@volunteer.ie

If you would like to find out if there is a local volunteer centre in your area you can check the Volunteer Ireland website on www.volunteer.ie

Back to Top

Religious communities

There is a growing variety of religious communities in Ireland. Catholicism is by far the largest religion in Ireland. There are also other Christian denominations:

Other religious communities in Ireland include:

Russian Orthodox Church SS Peter and Paul
Harold’s Cross, Dublin 6
Morning Service: Sunday - 9.00am Confessions and 10.00am Divine Liturgy
Evening Service: Saturday - 6.00pm
Email: stpeterstpaul@stpeterstpaul.net
Website: http://stpeterstpaul.net

Byzantine Catholics in Dublin:

Ukrainian Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Ireland

St. Kevin’s Oratory at St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, Marlborough Street, Dublin 1

Sunday Divine Liturgy at 4.00pm (unless there is a baptism). On Holy Days the Divine Liturgy is normally at 11.00am. When there is a baticism, the baptism is celebrated together with the Sunday Divine Litrugy at 3.30pm
Website: http://www.ugcc.ie

Information for Muslim community:

The main mosques in Ireland are:

  • Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland, 19 Roebuck Road, Clonskeagh, Dublin 14
    Telephone: 01 2603740
  • Islamic Foundation of Ireland and Dublin Mosque, 163 South Circular Road, Dublin 8
    Telephone: 01 4533242
  • Ahlul Bayt Islamic Centre, Milltown Bridge, Dundrum, Dublin 14
    Telephone: 01 2604491
  • Cork Mosque, Unit D, Sitecast Industrial Estate, Togher, Cork
    Telephone: 021 4320301

Halal Shops in Dublin:

  • Asian Food Company, 54-55 Mary Street, Dublin 1
    Telephone: 01 8781099
  • Asian Grocery, 2 Church View, Church Lane, Blanchardstown Village , Dublin 15
    Telephone: 087 9269900
  • Madina Asian Store, Moore Street Market, Dublin 2
    Telephone: 01 8734011
  • Mountview Halal Meats, Unit 5, Mountiview Shopping Centre, Clonsilla, Dublin 15
    Telephone: 01 8234602
  • Maliks Shop, Unit 6, Coolmine Business Park, Dublin 15
    Telephone: 01 6405295
  • Near Buy, 12 Clonsilla Road, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15
     
  • RAZ Q, Sarsfield House, Chapel Hill, Lucan Village, Co. Dublin
    Telephone: 01 6219697
  • Spicy Land – Hussain Shop
    Upper Camden Street, Dublin 2 and The Square Shopping Centre, Tallaght, Dublin 24
    Telephone: 01 4783094

Halal Shops around the country:

  • East End Halal Shop, Corner of Roches Street, Limerick City
  • Oriental Food Store, 11 Roches Street, Limerick City
    Telephone: 061 417139
    Email:alfalah.trading@gmail.com
  • Halal Packers, Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo
  • Hidayat and Sons Asian Groceries, Main Street, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon
    Telephone: 086 0717182
    Email: sajidhidayat@eircom.net

Health issues for women

There is an Arabic speaking lady doctor available for consultation at Blackglen Medical Centre, Unit 7, Blackglen Village Centre, Sandyford, Dublin 18.

Telephone: 01 216 1575

Back to Top

Neighbourhood Watch and Community Alert

Another way of getting involved in the local community is to participate in the Neighbourhood Watch or Community Alert programmes.

Neighbourhood Watch is a crime prevention and community safety programme for urban areas. It operates as a partnership between An Garda Síochána and the public.

Community Alert is a community safety programme for rural areas with an emphasis on older and vulnerable people.

To set up or get involved in a local Neighbourhood Watch or Community Alert programme contact your local Garda station or go to www.garda.ie.

Back to Top

Parties and gatherings

Children’s parties

Many children attending childcare and school invite their classmates to their birthday party. Sometimes the party is held in the child’s home or their parents bring them and their friends to the cinema or children’s play centre. Children who are invited to the party are expected to bring a present for the child whose birthday it is. Generally food is provided and there is a birthday cake.

Parties

People have parties for various celebrations, for example, wedding, christening, birthday and other holidays. It is common for people to have dinner parties at any time during the year. If you are invited to a dinner party, it is a good idea to bring a small present along, for example, a bottle of wine, a bouquet of flowers or chocolates.

Back to Top

Online communities

There are many online communities where you can find out more about your local area and also meet people:

Join us on Facebook and meet other people living in Ireland.

Back to Top

Arts and Entertainment

There are many different arts and entertainment options in Ireland which are a good way to meet people and find out more about Ireland.

Museums

  • The National Museum of Ireland, Dublin: www.museum.ie
    • Archaeology, Dublin
    • Decorative Arts, Dublin
    • Natural History, Dublin
    • Country Life, Mayo

Galleries and Libraries

Theatres

Festivals

photo of St. Patricks Day Festival
Photo by Uggboy

  • Music
    • Fleadh Cheoil are festivals of Irish music, dance, song and language. They take place throughout the country. For more information go to: www.comhaltas.ie
    • Oxegen is regarded as one of the world’s top music festivals. It takes place in Punchestown Racecourse in Co. Kildare every July: www.oxegen.ie
    • Electric Picnic is an art and music festival which takes place in Co. Laois: www.electricpicnic.ie
    • Cork Jazz Festival: www.corkjazzfestival.com
    • Castle Palooza Music and Arts Festival takes place in Tullamore, Co. Offaly: www.castlepalooza.com
    • Slane is a concert which has been held at Slane Castle for most years since 1981: www.slanecastle.ie
  • Literature and Theatre

Cinemas

Live Music

Dance

Comedy

International Bar, Dublin: www.international-bar.com

Laughter Lounge, Dublin: www.laughterlounge.com

Roisin Dubh, Galway:www.roisindubh.net

Going out

  • Historic and famous pubs
    • Brazen Head, Dublin is Ireland’s second oldest pub: www.brazenhead.com
    • Mulligans, Dublin is a traditional Irish pub: www.mulligans.ie
    • Sean’s Pub, Athlone, Co. Westmeath is the oldest pub in Ireland

For Children

  • Imaginosity – Dublin Children’s Museum: www.imaginosity.ie
  • The Ark – A Cultural Centre for Children: www.ark.ie
  • www.fundays.ie provides information for parents on where to ‘have fun’ in Ireland
  • www.mykidstime.ie - Online local information for kids activities, classes, events and services.
  • www.familyfun.ie is a free resource for parents of young kids in Ireland to help them find fun things to do together as a family.

To find more arts and entertainment options go to:

If we have forgotten something let us know!

Back to Top