The Gateway Integration Centre in East Wall marked two years since its opening today. Among the keynote speakers was the eight-time All-Ireland winner and now CEO of Sanctuary Runners.
Michael Darragh MacAuley spoke passionately about the significant work done by the centre and the East Wall community in building relationships and providing a safe space for new residents.
He emphasised the community’s commitment to ensuring that residents found sanctuary and support within Dublin’s north inner city.
The event featured a number of other guest speakers and brought together representatives from various local groups to commemorate progress made in fostering integration, friendship, and belonging within the community.
Michael Darragh McAuley, former Dublin GAA star and CEO of Sanctuary Runners, speaking at the event
Sinéad Fennelly, Director of Gateway Integration, said: “What I see here today, with representatives from community groups like Belvedere Youth Club, Corinthians Boxing Club, Mud Island Community Garden, Montpellier FC, AkiDwA, East Wall Here For All, Irish Refugee Council, East Wall Bessborough, and Cross-Cultural Conversations, is evidence of the success we’ve achieved so far.”
She added that while challenges initially arose in their work, the centre has become a place where “people feel they belong” and are “welcomed into the wider community”.
Other local representatives included Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon and councillor Daniel Ennis, Sinn Féin councillor Janice Boylan, Fine Gael councillor Ray McAdam, Green Party councillor Janet Horner, and Labour councillor Marie Sherlock.
Janet Justiniano Quinteros, a resident of the centre, shared her personal story of “finding friendship” at Mud Island Community Garden, where she now teaches sewing classes.
Jonathan Dowling, a member of the Belvedere Youth Club, also spoke at the event.
The youth club initially made contact with the Gateway Integration Centre through a Belvedere community event. Over the summer, children from the centre and the youth club regularly played football together.
Gateway Integration Centre in East Wall celebrating its two-year anniversary
Mr Dowling also commented on the warmth and safety of the emergency accommodation centre.
“When I come in here, I feel like I’m walking into my own home. It feels like a family, it’s a safe space,” he said.
“Not too long ago, just outside the doors here in East Wall, it wasn’t a safe space, and I can’t imagine how difficult it was to look out the window at people trying to intimidate the residents here and make them feel unsafe.
“So, we need to keep banging that drum – that Dublin, the north inner city, is a vibrant space, a welcoming place.”
The Gateway Integration Centre recently launched a Community Partnership Project, which has seen local organisations welcome new residents into various community groups and sports clubs.
This initiative has helped bridge the gap between new arrivals and the longstanding community, fostering a sense of inclusion and belonging.
Stephen Molloy, representing Corinthians Boxing Club, shared how the support of the Gateway Integration Community Partnership Project has been critical to the club’s survival.
“Without the support of Gateway Integration, we’d be struggling to keep the doors open this winter. The darker nights are coming, and their help is essential to keeping us going,” he said.
