On Thursday 29th March the residents of the Gleann na hEorna estate in Springfield Tallaght held an ‘Integration Day’ to prepare for Easter on the estate.
Gleann na hEorna has 147 social housing apartments for tenants of Respond Housing (112 units), South Dublin County Council, John of Gods, Cheeverstown and the Peter McVerry Trust. All organisations are members of an estate-wide Steering Committee to ensure cross-community cohesion and management of the development.
The children were delighted to have horticulturalist and educationalist Aoife Munn to help them in their spring planting.
There was a great turnout by residents of Gleann na hEorna to hear Lord Mayor Paul Gogarty congratulate them for their spring-clean and how to keep the estate litter free into the future.
The Lord Mayor then officiated at the planting of a Tree of Hope outside the Resource Centre. It was a solemn moment for all attending. The Tree is to commemorate those relatives and friends of residents who have lost their lives through suicide, to ensure we never forget them and also as a promise of new beginnings.
Cllr. Charlie O’Connor read a moving poem he wrote on remembering those we have lost and how they will always stay with us.
Hugh Hogan, Director of Housing for South Dublin County Council was in attendance and was thanked for the Council’s support of the Steering Committee and he pledged to continue the support for further planting activities on the estate.
Padraic Brennan, Eastern Regional Manager of Respond Housing thanked the Council, John of Gods and Cheeverstown for helping to organise the day.
“This day and this event has been led by the residents of Gleann na hEorna and this is as it should be. You all share this living space and the only way an estate like this can be properly managed is by everyone working together. Today at Easter time we remember those we have lost but we focus on the future and of hope. Easter is a time of new beginnings – new life, new growth. All the organisations and residents here will continue to work together to make sure that the future is bright for everyone who is lucky enough to live in such a vibrant community where we all support each other”.