THIS YEAR more than ever, an Ireland struggling with serious difficulties needs to reinforce its resource of good neighbourliness, President Mary McAleese has said.
The President was launching the “Know Your Neighbour Weekend”, which will take place on July 11th-12th across the country.
The Macra na Feirme initiative, which is sponsored by ESB, was launched in Dublin.
It encourages people to do more to get to know their neighbours by holding picnics, coffee mornings, and social and sporting events.
The President said that from its inception just a few years ago, the Macra na Feirme event had proved its worth.
“As Ireland struggles with serious difficulties, we need to reinforce that resource that has always been our strength – the good neighbourliness, the tight bonds of community, the leaning on one another and the pulling together which has seen us through worse times than these,” she said.
Macra na Feirme’s national president Michael Gowing said he believed that in this time of recession, people could become isolated and alone with less disposable income and this can have negative effects on their lives.
“Having neighbours around for a barbecue rather than going to the pub, encouraging neighbouring children to play together, helping people to feel secure in their homes because, for example, crime rises in recessionary times,” Mr Gowing said.
“But knowing your neighbours means you know they will look out for you – this gives people a sense of security.”
ESB chief executive Pádraig McManus said the initiative could energise a sense of caring in the community and, apart from encouraging people to get to know new neighbours, it also urged us to reacquaint ourselves with people we may have neglected in our busy lives.
“It is a practical reminder to us all that we have a responsibility to those around us,” Mr McManus said.
“This is a welcome positive force and can provide a social safety net in these current challenging times.”
The weekend event is being highlighted with a radio campaign. People can apply for a pack containing printed posters, fliers, invitations and stickers through the website, by text or by phone.
Last year 1,500 packs, which tell people how to organise an event in their area, were requested, and the organisers hope this will increase to 2,000 packs this year.
Last year hundreds attended the event in Marlay Park, Rathfarnham, in Dublin and scores of events were arranged across the country.
They ranged from coffee mornings in Kildare, a family sports day in Tullyallen, Co Louth, a treasure hunt in Dulla, Co Tipperary and there were scores of barbecues and picnics at many locations.
Details can be had by e-mail from info@knowyourneighbour.ie or text KYN followed by a space and leave a name and address to 51444, or call Macra na Feirme on (01) 426 8910.