This article is from page 29 of the 2008-02-05 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 29 JPG
A GROUP set up in Shannon last year to integrate newcomers to the town is Set to expand.
‘Le Chéile na Sionna’ has sought to encourage people from a multitude of nationalities to get together and mingle.
Since its inception a year ago, the eroup has attracted people from a wide range of nationalities to join vheR
Representatives of a number of countries, including Egypt, France, Germany, Mauritius, England, Neth- erlands, Pakistan, China and Africa, have attended the monthly meetings
and regular social gatherings organ- ised by the group.
Now, 12 months on, the group is poised to expand, through its link with the Shannon Family Resource Centre. Its co-ordinator Marie Ro- land is hopeful that Le Chéile’s scope can now be expanded.
“Le Chéile will be coming under the umbrella of the family resource centre. We will be looking for fund- ing, through the resource centre,’ said Ms Roland.
“We are encouraging people to get involved. We are hoping to expand the programme further,’ she added.
The group was set up by Trish Fal- lon-Barry, who is welcoming new
members to join.
“The more diversity the better. People can make it their own club. The group includes all different na- tionalities and traditions. It has real- ly taken off and has been very posi- tive,’ she said.
‘People have interacted with each other in the group and network and offer friendly advice to each other,” she added.
Le Chéile participated in last year’s St Patrick’s Day parade in Shannon, where it won the ‘Best New Entry’ section.
It hopes to enter an entry again this year, to include a wide variety of na- aCoyet- Lele
“We are encouraging people to come along and show a splash of diversity for the parade. They are a part of the Shannon community, a welcome part,’ added Ms Fallon- Breas
The dates for the forthcoming meetings of the group are tonight (February 5), March 4, April 1, May 6 and June 3. The starting time is oe 0) 080
The group also meets at the food court, SkyCourt, every Saturday, from 2pm to 3pm.
Anyone interested in joining the eroup, or taking part in the parade, should contact Ms Fallon-Barry on 087 6743796.