Ukrainian refugees in front of the Jealous Wall in Belvedere House.

'Thank you for bringing us out of bad news' - Ukrainian refugees enjoy day out in Belvedere

Published: Tue 19 Apr 2022, 5:29 PM

Last updated: Tue 19 Apr 2022, 5:30 PM

Nearly 100 Ukrainian refugees attended a special event in Belvedere House and Gardens yesterday.

The event, which was organised by the Columb Barracks Restoration and Regeneration Committee, saw four groups of refugees brought from Mullingar in the Garda Community Policing Unit's mini bus for an a few hours of fun and relaxation.

Paula Griffin from the CBRRC explained the idea behind the event.

“A lot of the Ukrainians are staying in hotels and B&Bs and are very restricted in where they can go. We thought it would be a nice thing to bring them for a nice day out.

“Garda Neil Donnellan and Garda Fiona Walsh made four runs in their bus bringing people out, which was great.

“In Belvedere they all got free entry and there was tea and coffee laid on by the cafe. The CBRRC organised Easter egss for the children and we had a couple of characters from Belvedere's Easter Egg Hunt come along: Mickey and Minnie Mouse, the Easter Bunny and Mrs Bunny."

The Ukrainian refugees were given a guided tour in their own language by Tanya Bulax.

The CBRRC was also joined by the Women's Community Project, who were there to find out what the refugees needed and to give them advice on what courses are available.

Paula says that one of the biggest issues from people arriving from Ukraine is accessing medical care.

“There is an issue because all of the doctors in town are booked out. A lot are demoralised because they can't get a doctor to see them,” she said.

“A lot of them want to go out to work. They are very talented people and have a great work ethic. They want to be kept busy.”

Organiser Paula Griffin, centre, with Garda Neil Donnellan and Fiona Walsh.

Paula says that the day out in Belvedere helped lift the Ukrainian people's spirits.

“There was a really good atmosphere. One women said to Tanya Bulax, a Ukrainian native who has lived in Mullingar for nearly 20 years and who gave them a guided tour of Belvedere in their own language: 'Thank you for bringing us out of bad news, thoughts and problems'.

“At the very end of the day one of the ladies was missing. They had to go search for her. She was just sitting in the fairy garden and said that it was the most peaceful time she'd had since the start of the war.”

Up in Columb Barracks work is ongoing on a hub where Ukrainian refugees can meet. Paula says that the refugees are eager to integrate into their new community and have been overwhelmed by the generosity shown by the people of Westmeath.