Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council’s Festival of Inclusion presents ‘Going Forward Together’

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council’s annual Festival of Inclusion takes place this year from this Thursday 14th – Monday October 18 with a mix of in person and online events to highlight social inclusion initiatives and to celebrate and promote activities of community groups and volunteers in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, and the theme of this year’s festival is ‘Going Forward Together’.

The festival was launched by An Cathaoirleach, Councillor Lettie McCarthy, dlr’s first citizen and an Cathaoirleach is inviting and encouraging all citizens to take part and enjoy the variety of events taking place across the county and in the community over the 5 day festival.

A wide variety of activities ranging from music performances in Marlay & Cabinteely Parks on Sunday 17th October from 2pm-4pm; many health and well being events as well as a host of seminars, workshops, demonstrations and launches will take place during the festival.

Dozens of organisations and groups are participating in the Festival of Inclusion to showcase and highlight projects and activities that celebrate social inclusion, diversity and equality across Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown.

All events are free and for all information and booking click here.

Among the highlights of this year’s Festival, Women4Women Network DLR in conjunction with Southside Partnership DLR Women’s Programme, are organising a ‘Women Going Forward Together Fest’ on Thursday October 14 from 10am-3pm in Myrtle Square, outside Bloomfield’s Shopping Centre in Dún Laoghaire.

The Multicultural Women’s Festival for the DLR community will include dance, song, poetry, crafts, food stalls and workshops and all are welcome to take part.

The Muslim Sisters of Eire, with the help of the Gardaí in Dundrum, will distribute cupcakes on the October 14 to older people in the Dundrum area.

The event is organised to encourage older people to meet with friends outside their home and to bring some joy to the elderly in the community.

The Southside Women’s Action Network are also organising a women’s virtual general knowledge quiz with music and songs between rounds as well as spot prizes on Thursday October 14 from 7pm-9pm and all are welcome to join a great night out, in, on Zoom. To register, contact sandrawalshswan@gmail.com or 086 174 4863.

dlr Integration Forum are organising a number of events during the festival including a networking seminar on the October 16 from 1:30pm–4:30pm for new community members to come together to take collective action and generate solutions to common problems faced.

Transition year students are also invited to seminars against racism and xenophobia, on Thursday 14th & Friday 15th October in Mounttown Community Facility. For more information and booking, contact dlrintegrationforum@gmail.com

Dún Laoghaire Men’s Shed located in the Coach House, rear of DEC Church, Lower Glenageary Road are offering a number of open taster sessions during Festival of Inclusion to raise awareness of the activities of the shed including wood turning, gardening and art and to seek new members during Festival of Inclusion and further information is available from Robbie Burns at 086 824 0497.

Southside Partnership DLR Healthy Food Made Easy are organising 4 online workshops on Zoom on the 14th, 15th 16th, and 18th of October from 11am-12:30pm. Simple healthy nutritious recipes will be demonstrated and shared and healthy eating, meal planning, food labels, smart shopping and how to avoid food waste will be discussed during these free workshops. Places are limited so early registration is advised by contacting angela.lennon@sspship.ie / 087 109 0106.

DLR Healthy Ireland Senior Wellness Activity Programme (SWAP) are organising Autumn Gardening & Floristry demonstration workshops online on the 16th & 17th October at 12pm as well as online Chair Exercises with Siel Bleu at 10am on the 18th October. All workshops are online on Zoom and to register, contact ben.stapleton@sspship.ie / 087 359 1484.

The Rosemount Family Resource Centre in Dundrum are organising workshops online and in person on Wellness, Trauma Informed Yoga Therapy and Meditation during the festival as well as a LGBTI+ and friends meet-up in Nutgrove food Court at 6pm on Sunday 17th October. Further information from 01 216 6131 /  frcrosemount@gmail.com.

The Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland in Clonskeagh are bringing older and younger generations together in their ‘Bridging the Generation Gap’ event on Saturday 16th October at 2:15pm. The event is organised to engage conversation and understanding between the generations on ‘Going Forward Together’ with registration by email at events@islamireland.ie

Dance Theatre of Ireland (DTI) are organising an outdoors ‘Well-Dance for over 55’s’ event in Myrtle Square, Dún Laoghaire on Saturday 16th October from 11am-12pm for a very fun Modern Dance & Music movement experience! That afternoon, in Marlay Park from 2pm-3pm, ‘Well-Dance for Families’ will take place, open for all ages and a dance experience that has something for everyone! For further information contact DTI at 01 280 3455 / www.dancetheatreireland.com.

LGBT Ireland will host an online interactive webinar entitled ‘Championing Older LGBT People in Ireland: An Invisible Population’ on Saturday 16th October. The online event is designed to explore the experiences of older LGBT people engaging in health and social care services, as well as outlining some simple and practical strategies for becoming more inclusive and is open to all. Booking and further information is available from LGBT Ireland at 01 685 9280 / info@lgbt.ie.

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council are also organising events during the Festival of Inclusion. A new autism friendly sensory wall will be launched in Deansgrange library on Thursday 14th October at 3pm as part of the Libraries Autism Friendly programme.

Other dlr County Council initiatives include Online Dementia Inclusive Gallery Tours organised by the dlr Arts Office, which will begin during the Festival of Inclusion and will run until December.

Artwork from the County collection will be explored and discussed and the online gallery tours can be enjoyed at home using a mobile phone, a tablet or a computer. Bookings are welcome from individuals, residential care settings, virtual day services and Dementia Cafés.