Ukraine war: Lisdoonvarna plays its part helping the displaced

Members of Lisdoonvarna Fáilte are fighting their capacity issues head on.

The social enterprise has facilitated the resettlement of about 1,250 Ukrainian refugees to north Clare between hotels and private homes.

The area, which includes Ballyvaughan, Liscannor, Lahinch and Lisdoonvarna, has accommodated about 6 per cent of the total number of Ukrainian refugees Ireland has taken in.

Lisdoonvarna alone is hosting about 800 Ukrainians, while there are a further 100 displaced people living in a direct provision centre in the town.

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Lisdoonvarna Fáilte’s main remit is caretaking and maintenance of amenities in the area such as the heritage centre, creche and sports pitches.

The organisation’s manager, Jacqueline McCoy, says community integration is always top of its agenda and that, despite the issues the enterprise may face, nobody will be refused.

“The welcome will always be there,” she says.

Public transport, or lack thereof, and the post office are two services that McCoy says will need attention to help cope with the influx of Ukrainians. Just one of the questions being asked, she says, is “can the postmistress deal with that level of people there that she would never have had to?”

Lisdoonvarna Fáilte has made representations to the relevant Government departments and has received confirmation that transportation issues are being addressed by Bus Éireann. Daily bus services will be provided for children travelling to schools in neighbouring villages.

Marcus White, owner of the Hydro Hotel in Lisdoonvarna which is housing 240 Ukrainians, believes capacity issues can be overcome.

“Everything here is manageable. Everything here is fixable, but to lose a woman or man or child to war or to a shell, is not fixable,” he says.

White has hired five of his Ukrainian guests to work in his hotel, spreading them out between the kitchen, restaurant and front office, alongside a couple that facilitate HSE staff who come in weekly.

Ramadan

He says a current concern is making sure there are facilities in place for the Muslim members of the Ukrainian community to properly observe Ramadan.

Muslims staying in the Hydro Hotel go to a mosque as often as possible, and the kitchen is left open for them to cook when they like.

Saif Uddin, a Ukrainian Muslim, says he was taken to a Moroccan shop in Ennis and was told to take "whatever you need". Weekly, he travels to the shop to buy Halal meat, dates and whatever other food he would like to cook for those partaking in Ramadan this month.

Uddin, who is in Lisdoonvarna with his wife, Mariana Shykor, says the Irish weather is perfect for Ramadan, during which observants do not eat or drink from dawn to dusk. "In very hot weather, very warm weather, it's very difficult to keep fasting without water. For us, due to Ramadan, it's very dry and sunny, and I feel like drinking, but this year I don't, it's a perfect weather for Ramadan."

Nadia Melynk, who taught English in Ukraine, has been employed as a liaison officer by Lisdoonvarna Fáilte since arriving in Co Clare.

She says that when she first arrived, she offered to help interpret for those who do not have English.

“Different people were texting me like, ‘there is going to be this happening, and can you help interpreting?’” she says.

“Everybody is like, ‘don’t overwork, take your time, rest and don’t rush’, and it’s very welcoming, hospitable, caring and very open-hearted, and you feel nurtured and taken care of,” she says. “Everybody is caring about us, and I keep reminding myself that.”