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War in Ukraine: Vigil in Portlaoise, local school does their part and Laois brewery goes for an Anti-Imperial Stout

War in Ukraine

Portlaoise vigil

Laois Integration Network are hosting a vigil outside County Hall, in Portlaoise at 6pm this evening, Tuesday, March 8.

Laois people are invited to attend this vigil to join in solidarity for peace in Ukraine.

Renata Metelicka who lives in Laois, has just returned to Portlaoise from working on the ground at the Polish/Ukrainian border. Renata will speak at the event.

Honorata Puslednik, a Polish person living in Portlaoise since 2007, who is actively involved in securing donations to be sent to Ukraine will also speak at this vigil.

All are welcome to attend this event and are encouraged to wear blue and yellow.

Laois Integration Network (LIN) is a community organisation in Laois that promotes cultural diversity and effective integration throughout the County of Laois.

It was established in February 2016, initially under the auspices of Doras Syrian Resettlement Project and since June 2016 as a separate entity comprising of local voluntary and statutory organisations as well as individuals from Irish and migrant and diverse faith communities throughout Laois.

For further information, please contact Pauline Flanagan, PRO for Laois Integration Network at 087 9984574.


Portlaoise CBS hosting coffee morning and supply drive

A Laois secondary school are hosting a coffee morning this weekend in a bid to gather essential items for those in Ukraine.

Portlaoise CBS will host a coffee event from 10am to 2pm on Saturday March 12.

Those who attend are asked to bring items which will be gathered up for transportation.

Mark Martley from Martley’s is going over to the border of Ukraine to deliver the goods himself in a lorry.

Household items such as bed sheets, cleaning wipes, batteries, USB cables/chargers/power, torches/flashlights, elastic bands, disposable knives/forks/plates/cups and washing powder in small boxes are requested.

While children’s products such as milton tablets or equivalent,
nappies, anti-septic creams, baby wipes, Vaseline, Sudocrem, baby foods, dry baby biscuits, children’s clothes, underpants for boys and girls, socks, gloves, small toys, colouring books and colours.

Sanitary products, wipes, women’s underwear (new), shampoo, toothpaste, soap, toothbrushes and hairbrushes are requested for women.

Medical supplies such as paracetamol, ibuprofen, injury dressings, bandaged, medical gowns, gloves and masks are also required.

While food products requested include noodles, pasta, lentils, stock cubes, dehydrated vegetables, tinned foods meat, tuna and tinned soups.

Any of these items are to be left in Ms Lewens Classroom RG52 with a closing date of March 15.


Ballykilcavan brews up a fundraising Ukraine beer

Ballykilcavan Brewery, based outside Stradbally, have made a special brew this week as part of a fundraiser for the Red Cross in Ukraine.

Owner David Walsh-Kemmis has brewed Resist – Anti Imperial Stout based on a traditional Ukrainian recipe.

With a new label in the Ukrainian colours designed by Penhouse Design, the stout will be for sale at the end of March with 100% of brewery sales money going to the Red Cross in Ukraine. They will be encouraging their stockists to donate their proceeds also.

You can check out the Ballykilcavan Facebook video here of the brewing process. 

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