Refugee hub being established in Columb Barracks

'We are all integrated and everyone is helping each other'

A corner of Columb Barracks is being transformed into a hub for Ukrainian refugees, with much of the work being carried out by the refugees themselves.

Work is ongoing on three large rooms that the Columb Barracks Restoration and Regeneration Committee had previously earmarked for a “peace centre”, but which are now going to be used by refugees as a place where they can meet and access some of the services that the barracks has to offer. To date more than 100 refugees have arrived in Mullingar after fleeing their war torn home country.

While many of the 26 community groups based in the barracks are contributing, most of the work is being carried out by the refugees themselves.

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner when we visited the barracks earlier today, CBRRC member Paula Griffin said that working on the rooms has helped lift people's spirits.

“We are just helping them get everything that they need. They are doing the work themselves. It's getting them out of the hotels and rooms where they are and giving them a purpose. It's empowering. You can see they are happy and smiling. When I met them last week they weren't. It takes their mind off what is happening at home.

“The whole community at the barracks - such as the Youth Cafe, Music Generation, Skills Exchange, arts and crafts, and the Men's Shed, which has been brilliant – everyone came together to help out and make this a community where everyone is happy. We are all integrated and everyone is helping each other.”

“We are also helping with some refugee issues, such as getting families reunited, as well as helping with education and we have lovely translators.”

Sergiy Balan of the Association of Ukrainians in Ireland says that he and his compatriots are very grateful for the welcome that the refugees have been shown by the people of Westmeath.

Sergiy, who has lived in Ireland for more than 20 years and is the manager of a mushroom factory in Cavan, says the new hub in the barracks will be part of a national network of hubs that are being developed.

The Columb Barracks Restoration and Regeneration Committee has written to the minister of defence and local TDs this week proposing that the barracks could help solve the expected shortage of accommodation for the estimated 200,000 refugees that could arrive from Ukraine in the coming weeks.