The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Kenmare takes pride in national honour
THE sense of community solidarity that goes in to making ‘Welcome Group Kenmare’ the success it is received a fitting accolade at last weekend’s National Pride of Place Awards in Kilkenny.
The Kenmare Direct Provision centre was given ‘a special award’ by the judges, who said their entry epitomised ‘what a true Irish welcome is’.
Since October 2018 The Atlantic Lodge is home to around 96 people from a diverse group of nationalities that are settling into a new life in Kenmare. Reginald Blake of Welcome Group Kenmare said the award reflects the wider Kenmare area’s willingness to provide a welcome and to engage and interact with asylum seekers.
Over 40 businesses and social organisations in the locality have helped create a welcoming space to make people feel at home. From coffee mornings, English and cookery classes, sporting clubs, Men’s Shed and walking groups, is just a sample of some of the activities laid on for Kenmare’s newest visitors. The asylum seekers have also arranged an International Day where food dishes from 10 different countries were enjoyed by over 200 people from the community.
“There is something really positive happening here in Kenmare and this award belongs to the asylum seekers and the people of greater Kenmare,” Reginald said.
The judges commented on the fact this is a group of people that suffered extraordinary difficulties on their long journey to a new future. Moreover, the judges’ report explained how it witnessed ‘a story of compassion, dignity, respect, care and generosity in every human way possible’ in Welcome Group Kenmare’s application.
“There has been such an atmosphere of giving by the local community to make people welcome. There’s a diverse group of people in the centre that have made a huge effort to involve themselves in the town. This is something that works both ways in Kenmare. It’s the interaction and participation aspect that is the key,” Reginald added