Information & Advocacy Services
Information & Advocacy Services
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.
To find migrant led organisations in your area check out the New Communities Partnership’s Directory of Migrant Led Organisations: www.newcommunities.ie
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
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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 (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
Email: info@theredcard.ie
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:
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
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 baptism, the baptism is celebrated together with the Sunday Divine Litrugy at 3.30pm
Website: www.byzcath.org/ireland/about.htm
The main mosques in Ireland are:
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
There are many different arts and entertainment options in Ireland which are a good way to meet people and find out more about Ireland.
Photo by Uggboy
International Bar, Dublin: www.international-bar.com
Laughter Lounge, Dublin: www.laughterlounge.com
Roisin Dubh, Galway:www.roisindubh.net
To find more arts and entertainment options go to:
If we have forgotten something let us know!
This project is co-financed by the European Commission under the European Integration Fund
and is supported by the Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration in the Dept of Justice & Equality & Pobal.