The community of Fethard is to welcome over 55 people fleeing the war in Ukraine to be housed in the newly modified Presentation Convent building.
Responding to the urgent need for accommodation the convent building has undergone a fast-tracked modification project to make it fit for purpose.
The accommodation has been inspected and approved by the Irish Red Cross and will be run by the Fethard Day Care Centre Committee, who will continue to use part of the site for their daily community activities.
The revamped building welcomed its first guests last week.
The arrivals were a party of four women and two children who are relatives of Oleg and Maryna Gavrylenko, a couple who have been working and living in Tipperary for several years.
The group, which included 9-year-old Alina and 4-year-old Damir, travelled from Kyiv and South Ukraine to Poland and then by air to Ireland.
The refurbishment project was helped by an incredible community response from the community, with local businesses and contractors rallying together to provide labour and materials at no cost, along with members of the local community who personally donated items.
Nearby Coolmore Stud has also provided financial support for the project and helped with project management.
Welcoming the families, Joe Kenny, Chairperson of Fethard Community Council thanked everyone that had contributed including community members, the Presentation Sisters, the Irish Red Cross. Senator Garret Ahearn, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and Coolmore stud.
