Activists hope to raise €50,000 for ACLAÍ Palestine and the Lajee Center in the Palestinian West Bank
50 people from the Irish-language community all over the country will gather before dawn this coming Saturday morning in Balbriggan to begin a swimming challenge organised by Conradh na Gaeilge to raise money for ACLAÍ Palestine, a core project of the Lajee Center in Aida refugee camp, in the Palestinian West Bank. Over two days, the group will travel around the country swimming in the sea in all 17 coastal counties in Ireland.
Saturday’s journey will see the group swimming in Balbriggan, Laytown, Blackrock, Warrenpoint, Port Rush, Portstewart, Bundoran, Tullaghan, Mullaghmore, and Killala. Day two will begin in Salthill in Galway, before the group will head south to Ballyvaughan, Ballybunnion, Youghal, Ceann Heilbhic, Courtown, and finish in Bray. Local communities the length of the country are invited to come and show support and solidarity at each of the stops.
Speaking about the event, Aodhán Ó Deá, Director of Development with Conradh na Gaeilge said:
“Several motions were passed at the Conradh na Gaeilge Ard-Fheis this year and last in relation to Palestinian solidarity, such as calling for an immediate permanent ceasefire and implementing a BDS policy within the organisation. We wanted to pro-actively support the Palestinian community, and we have a natural connection with ACLAÍ Palestine and the Lajee Center: various people from the Irish-language community have spent time volunteering at the Center in recent years and in December 2024, a branch of Conradh na Gaeilge was registered at the Lajee Center - the first branch ever in Palestine.”
Róisín Ní Chinnéide, Advocacy Manager with Conradh na Gaeilge and former volunteer in the Lajee Center said:
“It’s more important than ever for us to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people, who are suffering under ongoing genocide, apartheid and colonisation. Words can’t describe the daily challenges faced by the community in the Aida Camp, and the Lajee Center serves as an anchor for their incredible resilience. Every cent raised from this fundraising campaign will go straight to a community centre that is run by and for refugees, to continue to provide essential services for their community. ”
For updates on Snámh don Phalaistín as the group travels around the country, follow @cnagaeilge. Timetable and route attached. All information about Snámh don Phalaistín and donation link: https://www.idonate.ie/event/
