Tag Archives: Mna ag Gaire

Clare Champion journalist, Jessica Quinn, was the toast of the Local Ireland Media Awards last week, winning the award for the National Lottery Best Community Story of the year. Jessica won the award for her story about Mná ag Gáire, the Ennis women’s community hub, and their work connecting women in the Ennis area. The feature, which is entitled ‘Mná-some place of welcome for all’ was published in The Clare Champion in September of last year. It focussed on the work of the Mná ag Gáire group, including media training for local women, which allowed two friends to connect online for the first time in 50 years. Speaking after winning the award, Jessica said she was delighted to have won and stress the importance of the local media in highlighting community efforts and local stories. She also thanked the Mná ag Gáire group in Ennis for sharing their experiences with her. The National Lottery Best Community Story of the year …

COMMUNITY groups in Clare are hosting a Culture Exchange afternoon in glór on Bank Holiday Monday, February 6 to celebrate St Brigid’s Day. “This is the first St Bridget’s Day Bank Holiday and we want to make it memorable,” said Michelle Nolan, of Clare Local Development Company, one of the organisations alongside Women’s Collective Ireland – Clare, Mna Ag Gaire Women’s Shed and Respond who are organising the gathering of communities from all over Clare. “This event will have something for everyone and all are welcome,” said Hilary Tonge of Mna Ag Gaire Women’s Shed. There will be, stories of St Brigid from Ruth Marshall, singing from Mary Frances Keenan and Yvonne Ketwa music from Los Paddy’s, interactive art workshops with Aine O’Brien.     There will be cultural performances from around the world, art exhibits and face painting for children. Those in attendance will get to sample teas and food from around the world. “In preparation for the event …

SHE stared intently at the mobile phone clutched in her hand before the Zoom call burst onto her screen. Answering the call, she was met with a face not seen in 50 years, and as they caught up on decades lost, the tears flowed. This emotional reunion of friends was made possible through the voluntary efforts of those involved with the Mná Ag Gaire Women’s Shed in Ennis, a place to meet, share skills and combat loneliness for all women. Helping women develop digital skills is just one of the many activities which have been ongoing at the women’s shed in the Tracklands Business Park. Recalling the moment two best friends were brought back together, founder member Hilary Tonge says, “We’ve had a lot of women want to learn digital skills, particularly during Covid, they realised they were isolated because they couldn’t get on their phones. “A lady came into to us and all she wanted to do was to …

A VISUAL and aural delight awaits at Mná ag Gaire’s Women’s Shed in Ennis this Culture Night when the acclaimed Hands in Harmony deaf community choir will take to the stage. As well as showcasing their performance skills on Friday with a mix of songs which have been translated into Irish Sign Language the choir is also launching a brand new film. The Hands in Harmony choir is made up with a mixture of deaf and hearing members with a mission to raise awareness of deafness and the Irish Sign Language in a positive way, highlighting the beautiful language and culture of the deaf community. Their performances have been described as being both emotional and visually stimulating, opening minds to something new and exciting. A film made with Grey Heron Media which has been created highlighting the experiences of members of the choir will be officially launched on the night. The film has been made in collaboration with Clare Local …

MNÁ Ag Gaire (MAGs) Women’s Shed has confirmed that, with support from the Clare County Council and Haven Horizons, it will now be providing activities to help the displaced Ukrainians living in Ennis. MAGs will be partnering with Clare Immigration Support Centre; Limerick-Clare Education and Training Board and other volunteers in creating this new enterprise, the Ukrainian Community Hub. Existing services by these agencies and MAGs will continue alongside of this new project for Ukrainians. A spokesperson for MAGs explains that activities will include; assistance with immigration issues; members of Ukrainian community to meet; English classes; providing a place for the displaced to meet, converse, etc; Ukrainian women setting up a shop for needed items such as necessities, etc and other skill share programmes in conjunction with Clare Haven. “The need to meet the Ukrainian emergency is great. Our facility for MAGs offers many opportunities to meet those needs. “In concert with the Clare Immigration Support Centre, Haven Horizons and …