Rathkeale Together Seminar Highlights Community Cohesion and Learning

Rathkeale Together Seminar pictured above included about 80 locals, speakers and dignitaries that included councillors, officials from Limerick City and County Council

Rathkeale Together Seminar aimed to develop openings to build on local leadership

In a first of its kind, Rathkeale, Co. Limerick, hosted a seminar highlighting community cohesion and learning on the 12^th of October 2023 at the Rathkeale House Hotel. The full house event organised by Rathkeale Together included about 80 locals, speakers and dignitaries that included councillors, officials from Limerick City and County Council, as well as church leaders such as Bishop Michale Burrows, of the Church of Ireland and Bairbre Nic Aongusa, Assistant Secretary and Head of Community Development, from the Department of Rural and Community Development.

Gillian Baker from Adapt Domestic Services, Belinda Simiyu of the University of Limerick, and Martina Cusack from NorthStar spoke about their work with Rathkeale Together and how their agencies have been able to engage with the Settled and Traveller communities through this collaboration.

The event premiered two videos: a beautiful poem written and performed by the women of Rathkeale, and a video about how Rathkeale Together strengthened community ties through support groups, International Women’s Day celebrations, art appreciation, a Funday carnival, the St. Patrick’s Day parade floats, and the Christmas lighting of the town.

Beautiful music was performed by the singers and musicians of Rathkeale’s local secondary school, Coláiste na Trócaire under the direction of Miss Jean O’ Brien.

“Those involved with Rathkeale Together have been thanked by the community, receiving 9% of all the Challenge Champion Awards to-date,” remarked Denis Robinson, the project coordinator. “Our champions include both Travellers and Settled, committee members, the team, and reliable supporters. With these and other awards, including a national Pride of Place prize, we are proud to be Rathkeale’s most acclaimed community organisation.”

About Rathkeale Together

Rathkeale Together is a project that promotes cohesion among the people of Rathkeale and it develops openings to build on local leadership. They facilitate women’s groups, a men’s group, a bereavement group, and children’s camps. They also organise events at Halloween, at Christmas, St. Patrick’s Day and for International Women’s Day. They promote learning and collaborate with UL, TUS and the Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board (LCETB.) Patrons include the Catholic Church, the Church of Ireland, and the Methodist Church with administration by West Limerick Resources at the service of the people of Rathkeale.

Find out more here.
Read more community stories here.