NEIC Community Event; Thursday, October 19th, 2017

What’s going on with the NEIC?

Last Thursday, October 19th, 2017, the communities of the north east inner city were invited to an open-house event in the Larkin Community College, where interested parties could find out about the North East Inner City Iniative’s Programme Implementation Board (PIB), it’s four sub groups, find out aboud what subsequent changes for the area are on the horizon, and meet the people involved.

The event was so very positive. It was a great turn-out. Micheal Stone, the PIB Chairperson, was inundated with questions for the entire event.  That is something which must be acknowledged, Micheal Stone did not sit down once. For the whole event he was up and engaging with each and every interested community representitive.

Even Joe was there for the whole event, and not his usual quick cameo. It was great to see such a good turn out and the high level of engagement on both sides. As well, Terry Fagan was out with his Folklore hat on, promoting the lauch of his new local museum. Stay tuned for more details about Terry’s museum.

“Following the publication of Kieran Mulvey’s independent report in February 2017, Michael Stone has been appointed Chairperson of the Programme Implementation Board for the North East Inner City (NEIC) Initiative. Work has commenced on the 54 actions in the Mulvey report by the new Programme Office and four dedicated sub groups.

An information day was planned for Thursday, 19th October where local residents and those who work in the area could drop in, learn more and have a say about what is happening in the community. The event took place in the Larkin Community College between 3pm and 8pm. Members of the Board were joined by others from community groups, the Gardaí, government departments and local organisations. There was a focus on four themes:

Crime and drugs;
Employment, training and education;
Family, youth and social services;
Physical landscape.

Commenting on this event, Michael Stone said: “I am determined that the NEIC Initiative will be successful and will make the North East Inner City a safe, attractive and vibrant living and working environment for all. Community involvement is key to the success of this work.”

– More information and images are available from [email protected]
– Kieran Mulvey’s report: https://merrionstreet.ie/MerrionStreet/en/ImageLibrary/20170218MulveyReport.pdf”

From NEIC Community Event October 2017. Posted by HOPE Hands On Peer Education on 10/20/2017 (8 items)

Generated by Facebook Photo Fetcher 2

About

Hands on Peer Education, is a front-line service in Dublin’s north inner city, where those suffering with addiction and their families can get access to much needed support and treatment options. H.O.P.E. facilitates and advocates for recovery through abstinence. We also offer a wide range of advocacy services. H.O.P.E.’s free and confidential drop-in clinic is open from 10am ‘til 1pm, Monday to Friday.

Now That You’re Here

We love to get feedback, it helps us improve our service to the community. If you have a minute, we would greatly appreciate it if you write a few words about our service. Follow the link below to see our reviews on Google. Click ‘write review’ on the right hand side to add your own.
https://goo.gl/BgznUi
Many thanks from the team in H.O.P.E.

What’s going on in Dublin’s north east inner city? Read the newsletter here.

Dublin North East Inner City

Creating a brighter future

Keep up-to-date with the programme implementation board delivering social and economic regeneration of Dublin’s north east inner city. You can read the newsletter below.

In July 2016, Enda Kenny’s Government launched a major initiative for  Dublin’s north east inner city to oversee the long-term social and economic regeneration of the area.

To support the work of the Ministerial Taskforce, Mr Kieran Mulvey was appointed to engage with the local community groups, representatives and other interested parties, and to report back with specific recommendations. The Mulvey Report recommended a number of new structures and appointments to lead this work.

To date, the chairperson of the group has established the Programme Implementation Board  (PIB) and four sub groups of the board are set up and meeting regularly.

The four sub groups are focussing on the following areas:

  • Crime and Drugs
  • Education and Training
  • Family, Children and Youth Services
  • Physical Infrastructure

The NEIC PIB is working collaboratively with the community, businesses and statutory agencies to create opportunity and bring about lasting change.

“I am determined that the NEIC Initiative will be successful and
make the North East Inner City a safe, attractive and vibrant
living and working environment for all.” -Micheal Stone, Chairman of the Programme Implementation Board, NEIC.

A Programme Office was established and is headed by the independent Chair of the Board. The Programme Office supports the work of the Board and is based in the Dublin City Council Central Area Headquarters at 51-53 Sean McDermott Street Lower, Dublin 1.

The NEIC programme office is working on communications and engagement, funding and administration, assisting all sub-groups, supporting the Chair of the Board Michael Stone, and regularly meeting with the community.

You can keep up to date with the implementation board and the programme office by following their newly launched website – www.neic.ie

About

Hands on Peer Education, is a front-line service in Dublin’s north inner city, where those suffering with addiction and their families can get access to much needed support and treatment options. H.O.P.E. facilitates and advocates for recovery through abstinence. We also offer a wide range of advocacy services. H.O.P.E.’s free and confidential drop-in clinic is open from 10am ‘til 1pm, Monday to Friday.

Now That You’re Here

We love to get feedback, it helps us improve our service to the community. If you have a minute, we would greatly appreciate it if you write a few words about our service. Follow the link below to see our reviews on Google. Click ‘write review’ on the right hand side to add your own.
https://goo.gl/BgznUi
Many thanks from the team in H.O.P.E.

Institutionalised Lives in Ireland

 Forced Labour

During the Irish State’s infancy and right up to modern times, a variety forced labour institutions under the control of the Church and sanctioned by the State, robbed men, women and children of the basic human rights we hold dear today as Irish and European citizens. The institutions took three forms, Mother & Baby homes, Industrial Schools and the Magdalen Asylum for Penitent Females a.k.a. Magdalen Laundries. The idea behind these institutions was to provide for the vulnerable, people of all ages, on the island of Ireland. Although, they were regarded as religious penitentiaries where, in actuality, many of the inmates were subjected to horrific atrocities that can only be described as criminal.

Many were sent for the “crime” of being unmarried and pregnant, and they worked without pay in the laundries which supplied services to State-run bodies, hospitals and hotels. Kitty Holland, Irish Times, Online, 25th August, 2017

On Friday, August 25th, 2017, at the site of one of the last Magdalene Laundry (closed in 1996, on Sean McDermott Street, Dublin) the community came together to seek justice for the many victims of the Magdalene Laundry’s.  In attendance were a number of surviving victims  who bravely stood up and shared their experiences. The stories are heart breaking. Please take some time to see our videos of their moving stories.

Today, the Irish Government has recognised the need for reparations and recognition of the atrocities suffered by men, women and children across Ireland at the hands of the Church under the authority of the State.   But, it is not enough. At a bare minimum we are seeking that this Magdalene Laundry site host a decent memorial, so that this is not another atrocity minimized or wiped from our memories. We in HOPE support public consultation on the use of the site to be sold by Dublin City Council and in particular, we support a suitable memorial to the woman and children who suffered behind those walls.

Institutional Syndrome

Also known as ‘institutionalisation‘, refers to deficits or disabilities in social and life skills, which develop after a person has spent a long period living in residential institutions. In other words, individuals in institutions may be deprived (whether unintentionally or not) of independence and of responsibility, to the point that once they return to “outside life” they are often unable to manage many of its demands; it has also been argued that institutionalised individuals become psychologically more prone to mental health problems.

Direct Provision

With the closure of the industrial schools, magdalene asylums, and the mother & baby homes, it was thought that institutionalistion was to become a thing of the past. Instead, the institutional syndrome has shifted from one vulnrable group to another. Direct provision is the system for dealing with migrants seeking asylum in the Republic of Ireland.

Today, many asylum seekers in the State’s direct provision system spend years in conditions which most agree are damaging to the health, welfare and life-chances of those forced to endure them. Asylum seekers are not allowed to work. They are not entitled to social welfare. And they are excluded from social housing and free third-level education. In all, more than 4,300 people, including 1,600 children, live in 34 accommodation centres spread across the State. Carl O’Brien & Sinead O’Shea, The Irish Times Online, 8th August 2017

 

Irish institution survivors share their experiences. A compilation of video clips recorded at the rally for an Honourable Magdalene Memorial, Sean McDermott Street Magdalene Asylum (closed in 1996), Friday 25th August, 2017.

Support

If you have been affected by the contents of this article in anyway, please do feel free to reach out. H.O.P.E. is here to support the community in anyway we can. As well, for further support, please find some external links below:

Dublin Honours Magdalenshttps://www.facebook.com/dublinhonoursmagdalenes/

The Alliance Victim Support Grouphttp://www.alliancesupport.org/

Residential Institutions Redress Boardhttp://www.rirb.ie/

Towards Healinghttp://www.towardshealing.ie/index.html

Coalition of Mother & Baby Home Survivorshttps://www.facebook.com/Coalition-of-Mother-And-Baby-home-Survivors-CMABS-526069800892810/

Justice for Magdalene Laundrieshttp://www.magdalenelaundries.com/

Oasis Counsellinghttp://oasiscentre.ie/

The Irish Immigrant Support Centre – http://www.nascireland.org/campaigns-for-change/direct-provision/

Irish Refugee Council http://www.irishrefugeecouncil.ie/

About

Hands on Peer Education, is a front-line service in the north inner city, where those suffering with addiction and their families can get access to much needed support and treatment options. H.O.P.E. facilitates and advocates for recovery through abstinence. We also offer a wide range of advocacy services. H.O.P.E.’s free and confidential drop-in clinic is open from 10am ‘til 1pm, Monday to Friday.

Now that you’re here

We love to get feedback, it helps us improve our service to the community. If you have a minute, we would greatly appreciate it if you write a few words about our service. Follow the link below to see our reviews on Google. Click ‘write review’ on the right hand side to add your own.

https://goo.gl/BgznUi

Many thanks from the team in H.O.P.E.

Under Pressure – a play about a family, the community and how they respond to a threat.

How would you respond?

Under Pressure

As part of the Five Lamps Festival there will be a special free showing for local projects & residents on the 30th August, 2017 at 1pm in Marino College, The Five Lamps.

In the mind of their creator, Gus and Molly live in Ballybough, the north-eastern edge of Dublin’s north-east inner city.

 

They are characters in Under Pressure, a play about threats and menaces in that part of Dublin, which has been developed by people who live there. It attempts to reflect one particular aspect of what has been crippling the community for decades – illegal drugs and what flows from them. – Peter Murtagh, Irish Times, Online, 24th December, 2016

The dramatic play is set in the crowded north east corner of Dublin’s inner city, where, in some situations, residents are left to fend for themselves. It deals with contemporary issues of community intimidation and how this brave family and their strong community respond.

The play, which was a part of last year’s magnificent Five Lamps festival in the Sean O’Casey Theatre, has been well received by the Irish Times, Online.

“The play is firmly rooted in the reality that many people living in the north east inner city face day in, day out”  – Peter Murtagh, The Irish Times

For some, the reality of this dramatic and contemporary play might be a little too close to home. But, it is in that reality that this community lives.  Uncut diamonds have put together a great piece of work that highlights a social issue suffered by many, all too quietly. So, be sure to save the date, spread the word and make time to see this play.

As part of the Five Lamps Festival there will be a special free showing of Under Pressure for local projects & residents on the 30th August, 2017 at 1pm in Marino College, The Five Lamps.

Thanks for coming! [#hopefest’17]

#hopefest’17

With the help of a lot of community organisations and people, we hosted a hugely successful street party – it was amazing craic! The sun was out, the food was great, and the families had a great time.  Most graciously, Peter Murtagh gave us a tremendous write-up in the Irish Times on Wednesday, 9th August, Online and in Thursday’s (10th August 2017) print edition.

“There are about 75 children, most in the toddler to young teen age bracket, shepherded by about 20 volunteers in high-vis vests.

The children spring through an elongated bouncy castle, have their faces painted, play hopscotch, generally mess about and have a good feed of chips and burgers and nuggets and curry sauce and fizzy drink.”

We were expecting around 100 guests, but as the day went on the event grew as more and more families came down and took part. Of the nearly 300 meals provided, 151 of them were kids’ meals. Circuit Catering‘s Burger Deli service was second to none. The immaculately clean food truck dished out a wide variety of chipper food – beef & chicken burgers, chicken nuggets, hot dogs, and chips with or without toppings – that the crowd thoroughly loved. Although the queue was long, the food was absolutely worth the wait.

Local youth group, Urban Soul, came down – in force – with the bouncy castle obstacle course and many, many volunteers. They manned the obstacle course, painted faces and played basketball, hopscotch, hula-hoop games, to name but a few, with the children. The children would not have had such a high level of engagement and gameplay without Urban Soul’s participation. We cannot thank them enough!

Although there was a bit of a hiccup with the venue for the magic show, Magic Martha delivered the show, al-fresco, which turned out better for the small children and added to the atmosphere of the event as it sprawled out from the Home monument. Martha puts on a great show, the children love it! Martha really knows how to hold a crowd, make them smile and laugh out loud!

The community was out, en masse, with help for the setup and running of the event. We had volunteers help us setup, with games and with music. Thanks to the community volunteers, the overall event went off without a hitch! Gerard O’Neil donated his time and DJ equipment and a number of community members took part with singing and dancing.

And in the end, the event was taken down quicker than it went up. We had the space cleared in under half an hour thanks to the army of volunteers. Now that it’s over, we’re already planning for next year 🙂

Every participant brought their best game and gave the event 110% effort, and for that we cannot thank everyone enough. That being said, none of it would have been possible without the huge support of Cluid Housing and Dublin City Council and the very gracious donation from the Croke Park Community Fund. Together however, we put on a fantastic day that will hopefully go down in memory as a great day in the summer of 2017.


“Community street party in front of the HOPE office, August 2017”

From HOPE-FEST’17. Posted by HOPE Hands On Peer Education on 8/11/2017 (206 items)

Generated by Facebook Photo Fetcher 2


HOPE FEST ’17 PRESS RELEASE

On Wednesday 9th August 2017 from noon to 3pm we will be hosting a free family event at the monument on the junction of Sean McDermott Street, Buckingham Street and Killarney Street.

The children and adults from the area are welcome to this street party. There will be food, a bouncy castle, a magic show, music, and games.

All free of charge. All welcome.

This event is sponsored by the Croke Park Community Fund and supported by Dublin City Council.

Please forward any and all questions to:

Irene Crawley, H.O.P.E., Killarney Court, Dublin 1.
[email protected]
01-887-8404

RSVP

HOPE-FEST’17 [no typos] [please share]

On Wednesday 9th August 2017 from noon to 3pm we will be hosting a free family-event at the monument on the junction of Sean McDermot Street, Buckingham Street and Killarney Street.

Children and Adults from the Area are welcome to this street party. There will be food, a bouncy castle, a magic show, music, and games.

All free of charge. All welcome.

This event is sponsored by the Croke Park Community Fund and supported by Dublin City Council.

Please forward any and all questions to:
H.O.P.E., Killarney Court, Dublin 1.
[email protected]
01-887-8404

Please disregard the previous post, there was a mixup that we have fixed. Please save the date – Wednesday, 9th August 2017. Kick-off will be at noon, sharp.

26/06/2017 Notice from North Inner City Community Coalition

Dear All,

The next NICCC General meeting will be on:

Date: Monday 10th July
Time: 4pm
Venue: D-Light Studios, 46 North Great Clarence Street (warehouse building beside the new apartments on the corner of Dunne Street)

We asked that the working groups meet to discuss the terms of reference and convenor and other representative positions in advance of the meeting.

The Convenors will be putting forward a recommendation for discussion that their current mandate is extended in order to ensure continuity while the current structures and processes are being established with a view to holding elections after that.

Karl Mitchell and Ursula Donnellan from DCC have accepted our suggestion that they meet with the working groups to start hearing the priority issues. In advance of this meeting we are asking that working groups meet again to priorities the actions in the submission and begin looking at short, medium and long term actions. Once this has been done we will set up a date for Karl and Urusla to meet your working groups. The convenors will organise the meeting in conjunction with the chairs.

FYI: The convenors will meet with Michael Stone (Executive Chair) tomorrow and the first meeting of the Implementation Board will be on Wednesday. As it stands only one convenor has been invited to the meeting on Wednesday. We will discuss this with Michael Stone tomorrow.

Best wishes,

Sian
(on behalf of the Convenors)

Bloomsday in the Monto 2017, by Irene Crawley

A fantastic day was had by all bringing Joyce back to the North Inner City. The event was organised jointly by H.O.P.E. and the North Inner City Folklore Project with the generous help of many volunteers. We combined the traditional ‘Madame of the Monto Wedding’, with scenes from the ‘Night-Town’ chapter in James Joyce’s Ulysses. First and foremost, I would like to offer a big thank you from myself to Terry Fagan, it was a pleasure to work with you, as always.

We would like to extend our gratitude to Former Lord Mayor, Christy Burke and his beautiful “bride” and H.O.P.E. volunteer, Connie Murphy. Mick Rafferty and his troupe of actors gave a great performance of scenes leading up to the ‘Night-Town’ chapter. Dublin City Council provided great support; a stage, gazebos, tables and chairs. Anto Kelly of Kelly’s Carriages graciously donated his time to pick up the bridal party and deliver them to the wedding. The community Garda from Store Street and Fitzgibbons Street were on hand to support the event. Conor O’Mearáin was our professional photographer and did an excellent job capturing the festivities. Susan Porter spent several weeks tirelessly browsing charity shops for the great costumes. Elaine Hilliard did the hair for all the ladies who looked wonderful. Glenda Guilfoyle came along with her mobile costume unit, which was great fun. Gerard O’Neill volunteered his DJ equipment and services which added greatly to the atmosphere of the day. Delicious sandwiches were provided by George O’Brien. Carmel Cosgrove and Theresa Brady from our Management committee volunteered their services for the day. Also, serving our refreshments and helping out for the whole day in their fantastic costumes were Sandra Byrne, Shauna Byrne, Megan McEvoy, Bart Hoppenbrouwers (thank you for the photographs too), Michael Burke, Paula O’Connor, Celine Gifford, and Marilyn Molloy.

All of our staff pitched in for weeks of preparation, David Brown and Alison Grey were a huge help with everything from shopping, set up and planning – Alison also did the make-up and David is our IT Guy who organised all our promotions for the event. Finally, yet importantly, from the staff, thanks to “Father” Joe Dowling who was hilarious, as usual.

I would like to thank IMPACT for giving a grant towards the running of this event.

We would also like to thank our local representatives Maureen O’Sullivan TD (Independent), Councillor Ciarán Cuffe (Green Party) and Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fáil) for coming along.

As well, we would like to thank the Irish Times for covering the event in three articles online, Live Images of Bloomsdaya video-clip of the event & a write-up on Friday 16th June 2017  and an amazing half page spread in the Saturday 17th June 2017 print edition.

Finaly, a big thanks to everyone for coming along! We hope next year to make the event bigger and better, with lots of community engagement.
-Irene Crawley, HOPE Manager


“Bloomsday in the Monto”

From Bloomsday 2017. Posted by HOPE Hands On Peer Education on 6/19/2017 (76 items)

Generated by Facebook Photo Fetcher 2

Ever want marry a madame?


We can’t help you there, but we can invite you down to Liberty Park this Bloomsday (at noon on Friday, June 16th 2017) for a Ulysses re-enactment with a twist.

The North Inner City Folklore Project & H.O.P.E. will host Bloomsday in the ‘Monto’. Come and join us for an afternoon of theatre and afternoon tea in Liberty House Park, Foley Street, Dublin 1 on Bloomsday, Friday 16th June 2017. Kick-off is at noon, sharp. The event is free of charge and open to all.

Foley Street was called Montgomery Street and this gave the name to the small area just west of Connolly Station that was once Europe’s most infamous red-light district: the Monto. The Monto came to prominence in the late nineteenth century, until the new State, prompted by the Legion of Mary, effectively shut it down in the 1920s. The Monto was immortalised in James Joyce’s Ulysses. In the Circe chapter, the protagonist Leopold Bloom and Stephen Dedalus visit a Brothel on Tyrone Street, now Railway Street.

This Bloomsday, we would like to invite people to come join us in the park as we re-enact those times through Ulysses readings, the Monto wedding, drama, song and afternoon tea. Please, if you can, come dressed up in Edwardian costume; for example: long dresses, ruffled blouses, fans and floral broad hats for the ladies and for the men; slacks, shirts, waistcoats, braces, straw boater hats, top hats and paddy caps.

About: The North Inner City Folklore Project was setup to document peoples’ memories of life in the north inner city from the 1900s up to the present day. Local historian, Terry Fagan, has collected a large archive of recordings, photographs and artefacts from tenement life. Today, Terry gives walking tours around the north inner city detailing subjects from Dublin tenement life, the Monto, to the 1913 lock out and the 1916 Easter rising. H.O.P.E., Hands On Peer Education, is a front-line service in the north inner city where the community’s addicts’ can get access to much needed support and treatment options. H.O.P.E. facilitates and advocates for recovery through abstinence. We also work with families affected by addiction & offer a wide range of advocacy services.

http://www.bloomsdayfestival.ie/fringe-programme/2017/6/16/bloomsday-in-the-monto

https://www.facebook.com/events/126973451179976