THE people of Clare are being urged to don their county colours in solidarity with the people of Ukraine this Wednesday.

A march for Ukraine will be held at 6pm on March 2 at the Fair Green, Tim Smythe Park in Ennis. The event has been organised by concerned Irish and Polish people living locally who wanted to show their support for the people of Ukraine in the wake of Russia’s invasion.

A spokesperson for the organisers told us that they are encouraging people to come along with their Clare county flags and colours as the saffron and blue is similar to the Ukraine yellow and blue flag.

“This event has been organised as an opportunity for us as a community to share our solidarity and our grief with the people of Ukraine, and to call for further action to be taken to end what is happening.

“People can bring a candle, and because the colours of the Ukrainian flag are the same as the Clare colours we are asking people to bring those also to help show our support.

“We wanted to be able to give people a focal point, not only do the people of Ukraine need solidarity, but we all do. People are horrified by all of this and we wanted to allow people the space to share their grief and to make a clear sound to the government and officials that we as a people do not want this happening. We want to put the word out to the Irish government to use every measure possible to stop this from going any further.”

Orla Ní Eilí of the Clare Immigrant Support Centre tells us she has been speaking with Ukrainian people living in Clare who are “devastated and terrified for what is going to happen to their families and friends in Ukraine”.

“So may are naturally dreadfully upset and weeping and are grateful to see their Clare neighbours and friends rally behind them. It’s terrible, and what is really extraordinary is they way this is bubbling, there are so many other countries affected and it’s causing such anxiety in so many other places such as Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, all of those. It’s just striking terror into people’s hearts where this can go. It’s really shocking.”

She added that they have been particularly heartened to see so many Clare people donate towards emergency aid for people in Ukraine.

Drop off points have been set up across the county for those who wish to make donations for the people of Ukraine. Items such as power banks, medical supplies, blankets and hygiene products are among the donations by generous people throughout Clare as well as funds. More drop-off points are being continually added,

• In Coote’s Shop and Bakery, Ennis shoppers have been adding an item to a basket to be delivered to a collection point.
• There is a drop-off point in the Polish School, Polanka, CBS Primary School, Ennis with the final donation collection taking place on Saturday from 10am to 3pm. The organisers of this collection has said it has “exceeded our wildest expectations”.
  “At this moment from the information from crossing the border list of the most important things are personal hygiene products, pharmacy equipment, food for children. The whole list is constantly updated, among other things, on the Wosp Dublin website and on the government pages. Thank you again for your support.”
• Lisdoonvarna Failte has offered the use of the Pavilion Theatre in Lisdoonvarna as a North Clare collection point for supplies being sent to the people of Ukraine. Donations between 10.30 and 3pm, Monday to Thursday this week only.
• Donations are being accepted at Kilrush Community School reception, with a list of items needed on their Facebook page.
• A collection point will operate at Corofin Hall on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 3pm until 7pm daily. Please use the side door on the Newtown Road. Volunteers will be on hand to accept your donations.
• A donation box has been set up in the Bridgetown church porch, with the groups specifically requesting packing boxes.
• Love Shannon Community Council are facilitating the collection of supplies to the Ukraine, with the help of a few Polish agencies. Please bring any donations to the Shannon Leisure Centre, where there are enclosed tents to hold donations until they are packed. If you have cardboard boxes suitable for packing these items, they would be greatly appreciated.