Solidarity group in Tipperary reach one year mark of holding weekly vigil for Palestinians

A solidarity group in Tipperary, who came together as a result of the atrocities happening in Palestine, have today spent one year exactly holding vigils for Palestinians. 

Speaking with founding member of the Droichead Solidarity Group, Patricia Moloughney, she wants to highlight the tireless efforts that volunteers of the group have put in over the past year and longer.

"I am one of the founding members of Droichead, together with Rhona Carroll, Ger Kinane, Ger Long and Pauline O'Shea. We are a solidarity group that came together out of the atrocities happening in Palestine since 2023.

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"We are now many more members and have held a vigil in Thurles Liberty Square every Thursday evening for a year thanks to the ongoing support of locals and members from Littleton, Borrisoleigh, Drom, Inch, Templemore, Thurles, The Ragg, Thurles and beyond.

"December 11 will mark a year exactly since these vigils started. There will likely be some songs / recitations and a slightly longer vigil to mark this," says Patricia.

All are welcome to come and join the weekly vigil in Thurles Square every Thursday evening, 7.30 to 8pm, with the special vigil tonight lasting until 8.30pm.

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Patricia explains what the group hopes to achieve by coming together in solidarity for Palestine. 

"Our wish is to embody Active Hope via fundraising and simply to gather together as best we can in many different ways, to show solidarity with the oppressed.

"On the first of May the first poignant and musical vigil in the Borrisoleigh playground took place bringing neighbours and communities together in the simple act of lighting candles and singing songs.

"These gatherings have been seen to help navigate the big feelings around the atrocities being live-streamed via brave journalists and documentarians; so many loosing limbs, entire families wiped out, death, destruction, ecocide and genocide.

"Somehow the act of witnessing and being together helps a little. It also shows the Palestinians that we stand with them in their darkest of times and are not ignoring their situation," explained Patricia.

A full list of the actions and activities that Droichead have hosted or helped organise are below.

2024

•  1 May, Solas do Phaisti Gaza in Borrisoleigh playground.
• 24 May, Screening of Where Olive Trees Weep in Borrisoleigh Community Centre
• 29 June, Emergency Walk for Rafah on the Inch Golden Mile
• 14 September, An Evening for Palestine in Finn’s Music Club raising €3,103 for the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund.
• 2 August, Hike on the Devil’s Bit Marking 300 Days of Genocide.
• September, Walk the OTB Petition from Kerry to Dail Eireann – Droichead members walked Tipperary to highlight the importance of passing the Occupied Territories Bill to the Dail.
• 8 October, Tipperary marks one year of genocide with a walking candlelit vigil in Cashel
• November, Coat Collection
• December 2024, Socks for the Homeless,
• 11 December, the first Droichead-led vigil in Thurles 7.30-8pm which takes place weekly
• December, Online campaign – There Are No Silent Nights In Gaza

2025

•  21 February – 3 March, The Heart of Gaza Art Exhibition at the Nenagh Arts Centre in association with Feile Butler, IPSC North Tipperary and Nenagh Friends of Palestine
• 17 March, Droichead walk in the Littleton St Patrick’s Day Parade
• 1 May, One year after the first playground vigil Droichead holds another vigil with children from Scor na n’Og and the Borrisoleigh Trad group providing music.
• 21 June, Suiloid Dochais ar son Phalaistin up the Devil’s Bit at dawn
• 4 July, GAA Palestine Trip to Tipp, a fundraising table quiz took place at Revel at the Ragg. Over €5000 was raised.
• 22 August, Presenting letters of request to all banks and credit unions in Thurles and Templemore encouraging them to divest from Israeli Bonds.
• 10 August, Yoga Morning at Hillsview Accommodation with Buicohas Yoga and Marie Ryan, Pilates
• 2 October, Car Convoy Slow Down for Gaza asking for the release of members of the Sumud Flotilla illegally abducted and held captive in Israel.
• October 11, Cashel for Palestine marks the second anniversary of the genocide.

The group have said for readers who wish to join to keep an eye on Droichead’s social media pages to stay in contact.

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