Pictures: Celebration time at cultural morning for Kilkenny's Fr McGrath Centre!

People from around the world gathered in the Fr McGrath Centre in Kilkenny at the annual end-of-term Christmas social for the students of the English Language programme.

What might have been an ordinary winter gathering became instead a vibrant celebration of culture, community, and shared humanity. Coordinator Theresa Delahunty warmly welcomed the group.

“We are all gathered here together in our common humanity as one family, while at the same time respecting and valuing the diversity of cultures, from Africa, Asia, South America, Eastern and Western Europe and many other far-flung places,” she said.

Her words captured the spirit of the morning, where people of different languages, backgrounds, and traditions stood side by side, united by their shared journey of learning and belonging.

Pictures by Vicky Comerford
“For us it is always heart-warming to hear our programme makes a difference to so many people, whether it is a stepping-stone to further education or assisting integration with the local community,” she said.

For many participants, the Fr McGrath Centre has been more than an educational space; it has been a pillar of support and a place where people find, understanding, and connection in what can often be a challenging new world.

The coordinator also extended heartfelt thanks to the dedicated group of volunteer tutors who provide conversation practice and basic English training every week. These sessions, she explained, equip participants with the rudiments of everyday language and, if they wish, help them progress to more formal study.

The centre is a social hub, a welcoming meeting space for people who might otherwise be isolated due to language barriers or unfamiliar cultural norms.Friendships are formed, confidence grows, and each person finds a sense of belonging.

Director of Services Stephen Murphy then addressed the gathering, emphasising the vital role newcomers play in the life of the city. He described the centre as an inclusive place, reflective of a wider community that values openness and respect.

“People who come from outside Ireland, he said, contribute enormously to the fabric of local life. Their traditions, perspectives, and stories add richness and diversity, something clearly demonstrated in this room this morning,” he said.