Over 70 Events Planned to Promote Social Inclusion at dlr Festival of Inclusion 2024!

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown (dlr) County Council is delighted to host the annual dlr Festival of Inclusion on May 15th – 26th. With over 70 events scheduled, the festival aims to celebrate social inclusion initiatives and promote active participation and engagement within the community.

Speaking at the launch of the dlr Festival of Inclusion, Councillor Denis O’Callaghan, Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, said:

“Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council are proud to be hosting the annual dlr Festival of Inclusion once again in 2024 and building friendships in our community.  I encourage everyone to get involved and enjoy the variety of activities planned and I look forward to experiencing the many diverse communities and cultures that make up our beautiful county.” 

This year’s theme, “Building Friendships in the Community”, highlights the importance of fostering connections and supporting community well-being.  The festival is a community based social inclusion events programme organised by numerous community groups and organisations bringing people together to celebrate community well-being, raise awareness, provide supports and promote friendship, equality, diversity, integration, and social inclusion across dlr.

Frank Curran, Chief Executive of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council added:

“The activities and events programmed for this year’s dlr Féile le Chéile / Festival of inclusion to promote building friendships in the community of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown. We want to sincerely thank the many community groups and organisations that are running events during the festival with ‘friendships in the community’ celebrated through music, song, dance, drama, food, conversation, talks, training, arts, crafts, sports and much more!”

This year dozens of community groups and organisations are hosting activities, exhibitions, performances, talks, coffee mornings, training events, seminars, workshops etc. – over 70 events in total across the county and some of the highlights of this year’s festival include:

• Mental Health Ireland ‘Hello How Are You?’ walk on Dún Laoghaire East Pier, Wed 15 May, 11am.
• ‘Building Connections’ - dlr Public Participation Network (PPN) Friendship & Networking Event open to all, Wed 15 May, 7 – 9p.m, Stillorgan Talbot Hotel.
• dlr Integration Forum Seminar - ‘Promoting Integration & Inclusion in the Community’, Thurs 16 May, 9.30 – 1p.m with speakers from the Garda National Diversity Unit; Southside Partnership DLR; Southside Travellers Action Group; HSE and more.
• UCD Campus Tours & Taster Lectures & free transport on Dublin Bus from Dún Laoghaire Dart Station, Thursday 16 May, 10am.
• RehabCare Annual Concert, Friday 17 May, County Hall, Dún Laoghaire, 11a.m.
• Garda Older Person’s Association ‘Road & Mobility Safety for Older People’ Information Seminar, Friday 17 May, 10-1p.m, Stillorgan Talbot Hotel.
• Filipino Multicultural Society Fitness & Dance Demonstrations, Marlay Park, Grange Road, Saturday 18 May, 2.45 – 5p.m.
• ‘The Big Sing’, Large-scale Choirs & Community singing event, St. Michael’s Church, Dún Laoghaire, Sunday 19 May, 3.30 – 5p.m.
• Seniors Arts & Crafts Showcase & Demonstrations, dlr LexIcon Studio Theatre, Dún Laoghaire, Monday 20 May, 11:00-3:00p.m.
• Global Brain Health Institute, TCD & dlr County Council series of talks & workshops in dlr LexIcon Library curated by Mike Hanrahan, 16, 21 & 22 May.
• LGBTQI+ Allyship Training, County Hall, Dún Laoghaire, Tuesday 21 May, 10-2p.m.
• Southside Partnership DLR Community Wellbeing event, Ballybrack Project Centre, Coolevin, Ballybrack, Wednesday 22 May, 10-1p.m.
• Multicultural Women’s Breakfast, County Hall, Dún Laoghaire, Thursday 23 May, 10a.m.
• Community Tea Parties in De La Salle College, Churchtown; The Gathering Grounds, Kilternan; Shanganagh Park House & Dementia Inclusive Tea Dance in Stillorgan Talbot Hotel.
• Bealtaine events – Celebrating the Arts & Creativity as we Age’ across dlr Library branches.  
• Southside Travellers Action Group celebrating 40 years.
• Age-Friendly activities, Coffee morning, Nature event & Africa Day celebrations in Rosemount, Hillview & Ballyogan Family Resource Centres.
• Ballinteer Men’s Shed & Dún Laoghaire Men’s Shed open days.
• Africa Day celebrations including Panel Event curated by Ola Majekodunmi, Monday 20 May, dlr LexIcon & ‘Africa Can Smile’ cultural afternoon, Friday 24 May, County Hall, Dún Laoghaire & Ireland and the Congo Reform Association Lecture, Friday 24 May, Presentation Brothers, Glasthule.
• A wide variety of physical activities and events organised by DLR Sports Partnership including DLR Sports Ability Information Day, Gaelscoil Shliabh Rua, Ballyogan Road, Sunday 26 May, 3-5p.m.

Events as part of the national Bealtaine festival, Street Feast, Dublin Mountains Festival, Bike Week, Volunteering Week and an array of concerts, coffee mornings, open days, dance, training sessions and much more will take place during dlr Festival of Inclusion 2024! 

All events are free and open to all the public to attend but registration / booking may be required.

See the Full Programme of dlr Festival of Inclusion 2024 events here