People urged to get to know their neighbours

People are being encouraged to organise events today to get to know their neighbours better as part of a nationwide campaign.

Macra na Feirme said it hopes that ‘Know Your Neighbour Weekend’ will act as a catalyst to increase interaction between neighbours in both rural and urban areas.

Colm Markey, national president of Macra na Feirme, said: “While we’ve seen increased prosperity in Ireland in recent years, many people are now also faced with the increased pressures that come hand-in-hand with modern living.

“Long hours at work, ever-increasing commute times and family and other commitments mean that people are spending less and less time involved in community-based activities. All too often we hear people saying that they don’t even know their own neighbours.”

A list of suggested activities and events that people can undertake as part of the ‘Know Your Neighbour Weekend’ is also available on the official website - www.knowyourneighbour.ie – the official website.

Mr Markey said people should still make a greater effort to interact with their neighbours on the weekend even if they cannot organise an event.

“It could be as little as saying ‘hello’ or inviting a neighbour in for a cup of tea – in whatever way they can, we want people to make an effort on ‘Know Your Neighbour Weekend’ to get to know their neighbours better,” he said.