Macra calls for a positive response to Know Your Neighbour campaign

MACRA na Feirme, which is co-ordinating the annual Know Your Neighbour weekend on July 11 and 12, has urged everybody to become involved.

President Mary McAleese recently launched the programme in Dublin, saying the annual event had already proved its worth.

“But this year more than ever, as Ireland struggles with serious difficulties, we need to reinforce that resource that has always been our strength – the good neighbourliness, the tight bonds of community, the leaning on one another and the pulling together which has seen us through worse times than these,” the President said

Mrs McAleese said rural Ireland has always depended on a culture of spontaneous good neighbourliness, of looking out for one another, looking after one another, sharing life’s ups and downs, sharing labour, sharing food and friendship.

The President said with so much mobility, commuting, inward migration and new housing it is very easy in today’s Ireland to find ourselves living among strangers yet yearning to be part of a neighbourly community.

“Community does not appear by accident but by design. We have to build the relationships, the bridges of handshakes and smiles, of gatherings and groups, of committees and small courtesies that grow over years into a dynamic, caring community,” she said.

Macra president Michael Gowing said the Know Your Neighbour weekend, sponsored by ESB Customer Supply, is a great way of encouraging people who don’t know anybody living in their local street, estate or apartment block to do something to rectify that situation.

“We can all become involved. I’d urge anyone interested in organising an activity or event to order their organiser’s pack straight away and start planning for the weekend of July 11 and 12,” he said.

ESB chief executive, Padraig McManus said the weekend “is aimed at encouraging people throughout Ireland to get to know new neighbours as well as urging us to reacquaint ourselves with people we have neglected in our busy lives”.

A list of suggested activities and events that people can organise is available on the website www.knowyourneighbour.ie

These include a barbecue, a coffee morning, a picnic, a football game, or a clean-up day in the local estate.