A vibrant showcase of culture was enjoyed in Letterkenny today to mark the launch of One Donegal Social Inclusion Week.
This year’s Social Inclusion Week takes place from the 25 March to 1 April.
The Letterkenny Indian Community threw a paint party on An Grianan plaza, with members of various community groups and Donegal County Council joining the fun.
The festival of colour is a celebration of hope, light, an end of winter and the beginning of spring.
Prior to the festivities, Cathaoirleach Cllr Liam Blaney formally launched social inclusion week and outlined the value of the events, which aim to increase awareness and understanding of inclusion and diversity in County Donegal.
One Donegal Social Inclusion Week is an annual event which has become an important event catering for the needs of many in the community. It is an action packed, educational, and insightful week with opportunities for community and voluntary groups, services, and educators from right across the county to showcase the work they do.
Speaking at the launch of Social Inclusion Week on Saturday afternoon in An Grianan Theatre, Liam Ward said “the stronger interagency collaboration between communities, the public and private sector in recent years has been seen in our communities over the last few years. Social Inclusion Week gives us the opportunity to promote and highlight the positive work that the public and community sectors are involved in, to reduce discrimination, poverty and social exclusion and to reflect on the challenges faced by vulnerable members of our community”.
Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council Cllr Liam Blaney said “the One Donegal Social Inclusion Week programme has a great variety of events happening for all abilities and ages, it also highlights the significant and valuable level of work that is on-going at a local level in Donegal and includes many events being hosted by community organisations and the Councils Social Inclusion Unit, the Libraries and the County Museum.”
A full programme of inclusive events is taking place between now and Saturday, and all are welcome to get involved. From woodland walks to garden gatherings, Ukranian kitchen pop-ups to quilting, music and more, there’s something for everyone.
One Donegal Social Inclusion Week 2023 event programme can be downloaded from www.donegalcoco.ie HERE or pick one up from your local public service centre.
To highlight a few events during the week:
Sunday 26 March at 10am to 2pm a Lets Play Family Event with Donegal Sports Partnership in the Bernard McGlinchey Town Park in Letterkenny.
Monday 27 March at 11am – 1.pm Donegal Community Garden Network Spring Gathering hosted by DLDC in The Vestry, Letterkenny. Calling all community gardens in Donegal to attend the Launch of the new community garden network.
Tuesday 28 March at 10am – 2pm Donegal Older Person Council invite you to their Annual General Meeting and Health & Wellbeing Event in the Clanree Hotel in Letterkenny
Wednesday 29 March 11.00am Woodlands for Wellbeing Walk in Buncrana Swan Park or Stranorlar Drumboe Woods with Donegal Sports Partnership – this is a great opportunity to meet new people while learning more about the environment.
Thursday 30 March 10am – 12.30pm join Pathways to progress workshop with IDP in their Buncrana Offices
Friday 31 March 10am – 1pm start your day by dropping in for a coffee with Letterkenny CDP in the Courtyard Letterkenny where you can meet people, share stories and integrate. You can then go to the RCC to learn from Keith Corcoran about culture in Ireland and Donegal hosted by Donegal Volunteer Centre and Donegal County Council
Saturday 1 April 3pm will see all heads turning towards the Diversity Showcase in An Grianan Theatre – be prepared for an afternoon of fun, culture, music, dance, and fashion.
Cybercrime awareness will be highlighted at each event during the week with a focus on the 4 P’s PASSWORD, PERMISSIONS, PAYMENT, PARTICIPANTS.