This article is from page 35 of the 2007-03-13 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 35 JPG
THE high number of foreign nation- als living in Shannon its reflected in the establishment of a new group, which aims to integrate newcomers to the town.
‘Le Chéile na Sionna’ was set up last week and its aim is to ‘foster the integration of all ethnic groups through enjoyable contact’.
The interest in setting up the group came after a programme on Shan- non Community Radio – called “The New Irish’ – which encouraged the new residents in the town to get in- volved.
This programme ran two years ago
and expanded last year to include lo- cal Shannon residents. Everybody who was involved in the programme expressed an interest in developing the friendships they had experienced and the idea of setting up Le Chéile emanated from that.
A committee, chaired by Trish Fal- lon, was set up and the wheels were put in motion. The local Family Re- source Centre agreed to facilitate the eroup and Shannon Town Council provided a €200 community grant.
More than 30 people attended the launch of the new project last week and all of those present were very Supportive of the idea.
The mayor of Shannon, Councillor
Tony McMahon is behind the project and was keen to see it set up during his year-long tenure as mayor of the town. He is optimistic that it should have a social and entertainment fo- CnISS
Trish Fallon said non-nationals liv- ing in Shannon were keen to have some form of a social outlet.
“It would be like an international club. We thought we could use the Family Resource Centre in Rineanna Hall, or we could meet once a week in a coffee shop. We aimed to have two monthly social gatherings. The Irish club in Shannon has agreed to joys ar-D es Dw e mp ONESd eLiMMmnSOCoMCT- BLO
“Through this, people can form
friendships and help each other in- formally. It will be good for people to get out of their own group. We all have to make an effort to join some- thing and we will try to stay away from a formal environment,” she pointed out.
“It will go whatever direction peo- ple want it to go. The main thing is to be totally open, regardless of na- tionality, creed, etc. It 1s good for the Shannon people too,” added Ms Sion
She said that for the new group to become a success, “everybody has to make an effort. Integration is a two- way thing. We will all change as a Ken U 0 ae