Launch of Fáilte Bayside Syrian Refugee Support Group

At 11.30 am last Saturday the Fáilte Bayside Refugee Sponsorship Group was offically launced with the planting of a Syrian Jasmine tree on the Green at Bayside Square North.

The idea was conceived by a member of the Group, Brendan Cairney, the horticulturist who also oversaw the design and planting of the now nationally known “Bayside Orchard”.

The tree was planted by an age wide group representing the community and included Brendan’s mother, Rose Cairney and the brothers Luca and Ben Connolly.

Due to Covid, attendance at the ceremony was restricted.

The introductory address was delivered by Sally Fayroddy, the Group Chairperson.

Fáilte Bayside is an initiative undertaken by a small local community group to support the Government’s Project to house refugees from the war in Syria in communities throughout the country.

A spokesperson for the group said:

“Thirty years ago our the Bayside Community actively and very successful supported a similar programme for refugees from the war in Bosnia.

“We anticipate the very same outcome for our Syrian family who should arrive in the late Spring 2021.

“Under the new Government Programme, Fáilte Bayside will be required to host a Syrian refugee family.

“Our requirement is to provide a home for the family for a minimum of 24 months, to raise €10,000 in funding for that purpose and to facilitate the integration of the family into the community by assisting with their access to local and national services including schools, health, recreation and social services.

“Planning by Fáilte Bayside to meet our responsibility is far advanced and an already strongly supported GoFundMe Programme is open on our website, www.failtebayside.ie.

“A Community wide fund raising campaign will start shortly.

“Our Community has shown great enthusiasm for this very important project.

“Very many have already contributed to the GoFundMe Programme and have also offered their much needed moral and material support.”