On the 4th July 2007 at 9pm in the Conference Room of the Moycarn Lodge and Marina, Shannonbridge Road, Creagh the richly diverse Community of Ballinasloe will come together for the purpose of suggesting and planning social events, festivals and family fun days when the Meadow Cross-Cultural Association (MCCA) meet.

This innovative project invites locals to come along and mingle with the new cultures that are already an inherent and valuable part of Ballinasloe Community. Siobhan Byrne, a London-Irish Solicitor whose father originates from Killoran, said at a recent meeting that “We hope that we can create a social atmosphere that resembles that of Gort, with their vibrant Brazilian Community, only in Ballinasloe we want to represent all the different cultures already present in the town, not forgetting the very welcoming Irish Community”. Although the MCCA is primarily about fun, enjoyment and meeting interesting people from around the globe it will also focus on events and strategies that will allow everyone to learn about each others history, heritage, culture, national dress and cuisine. To this end they will be appointing ‘Ambassadors’ from each Nation (including Ireland) who will provide a point of contact and inform the MCCA how the different cultures should be represented at events. They may also assist with translation and interpretation and teach the MCCA about the special celebrations of each culture.

They also plan to set up a database of volunteering opportunities in the Community to allow nationals and non-nationals to get more involved locally and keep the spirit of Community alive. They also plan to set up a calendar database with a note of all international cultural/religious key dates and celebrations so that they can be acknowledged or celebrated where relevant.

Historically the Irish have had to fight to protect their own culture and language from near extinction and many Irish people who have returned from abroad know what it is like to be treated as a foreigner. In a recent meeting Magdalena Garcarek, a Polish National, indicated that any of the Polish Community she had spoken to were very enthusiastic about the setting up of the MCCA and a Brazilian National, who prefers to remain anonymous, explained that it was very hard for Brazilian people to meet local people in Ballinasloe, as people are so busy, but this Association is a great idea.

The MCCA hope to arrange a Launch Garden Party in August where everyone will be invited to bring their own national cuisine to a BBQ/Picnic and family fun day the details of which will be announced in the near future. The MCCA would like to invite nationals and non-natonals to attend their next meeting on 4th July 2007 with ideas and suggestions for future events or simply to make new friends.

For further information email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or contact mobile telephone 087 2055 475.