VIDEO: Irish society tells Parisiens: ‘We are with you against hatred’
On a Polish flag, written in French, secured to an Irish gate, it said: Pologne toujours avec La France — Poland, always with France.
Others from abroad who have made Ireland home added their own thoughts. “My heart is crying for your country,” wrote a girl from Finland. “We are with you, against hatred,” wrote “a friend” from Spain.
Many Irish too had brought their own flowers, candles and handwritten notes — among them a businessman; a fan of Eagles of Death Metal, the band whose gig at the Bataclan concert hall became the centre point of last Friday night’s carnage; a former resident of Paris and others who did not have words to express the sorrow that led them to leave bouquets in the rain.
A minute’s silence will be held outside the front of the embassy at 11am this morning when many more are expected to gather to show their support.
A book of condolences will open afterwards in the consulate at the back entrance to the embassy which members of the public are invited to sign, while those who can not sign in person can do so at the embassy’s dedicated email address, jesuisparisireland@gmail.com.
Books of condolence will also open at the Alliance Francaise in Cork at 10am today and the institute is holding a candlelit vigil at the National Monument on Grand Parade from 5.30-6.30pm today.
Other books are opening in Limerick at council headquarters in Merchants Quay, in the council buildings at Dooradoyle and online on www.limerick.ie; and people can also sign at the chapel at National University of Ireland, Galway, at Clare County Council in Ennis and at the Pro-Cathedral in Dublin.
They are just the latest in a series of gestures of solidarity with the French people from organisations and individuals around the country.
In common with landmark buildings all over the world, the Convention Centre in Dublin’s Docklands was lit up in the blue, white and red of the French flag.
On Saturday, thousands of people walked in Dublin, Cork and Galway, holding the French flag and singing the French national anthem while a minute’s silence was held in Thomond Park before the European Champions Cup game between Munster and Treviso.
Last evening, as thousands more gathered for the switching on of the Christmas lights on Grafton St, the celebrations were preceded by a minute’s silence to remember the darkness brought to Paris on Friday.
Prayers for the victims and their families were said at Catholic and Church of Ireland services at the weekend, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin telling the congregation at the Pro-Cathedral in Dublin: “We share in the grief of the entire city of Paris.” The archbishop also called for the root causes of the violence to be tackled. “There is no way you can do anything of this kind in the name of God,” he said.
“We have to think of those young people who are dragged into conflict for various reasons, to try and understand what it is that drags them into it, and try and broaden their horizons.”
Leaders of the Muslim faith in Ireland also spoke of their shock and dismay at the events in Paris. In a statement on behalf of 16 local and regional groups, the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland said the attacks could not be justified under any circumstances.
“We disassociate our faith and our fellow Muslims from such violent and brutal acts and those who perpetrate them,” they said.
Many other displays of solidarity are expected throughout the week. Classical musicians from around the country are coming together to play A Concert for Paris this Friday night.
They have been answering a social media call by Co-Orch, a co-op of musicians who support good causes, and are now seeking a venue for the concert of music by Ravel and Faure which they are determined will take place at 8pm on Friday somewhere in Dublin.
12 inspiring images of peace from the aftermath of the Paris attacks https://t.co/mVVFdtz4QF pic.twitter.com/r8FgntcrxL
— Irish Examiner (@irishexaminer) November 15, 2015
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