Creating a culture of welcome for Ireland’s refugees with a Place of Sanctuary

Every City or Place of Sanctuary is different but they all aim to give refugees and asylum seekers a sense that they are welcome in the community, says Sharon Ní Chonchúir

A photo roused the world to action last year. When people saw the drowned body of three-year-old Aylan Kurdi washed up on a Turkish beach, they realised they had to do something to help the thousands of refugees arriving in Europe.

The only question was what. Some found the answer in City of Sanctuary, a movement which consists of local communities working to make their cities and towns welcoming places for everyone, particularly for refugees and asylum seekers.