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Deirdre Garvey: Kindness and compassion are a mainstay of Irish identity
Mar 18, 2025
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Three years ago, when the war in Ukraine began, Ireland witnessed an extraordinary humanitarian response that none of us could have forecast.
What emerged, and continues to flourish today, is a movement of kindness where individuals and the State work in partnership to provide refuge and hope — an innovative model of temporary accommodation unlike any other in Europe or indeed the world.
Nearly 19,000 Irish households — 19,000; the sheer scale — opened their doors, their hearts, and their lives to welcome more than 35,000 displaced Ukrainians.
Perhaps it is because Irish people have a unique understanding of the concept of displacement — our diaspora spread across the world, millions having left Ireland throughout history out of necessity more than choice, millions who never came home.
Perhaps this gives us a unique perspective of what it means to be displaced, arriving in a place when your heart longs to be somewhere else, waking up to a new reality in an unknown land and, somehow — against the odds — making it work.
Perhaps this gives us a natural instinctive awareness that hosting displaced individuals is not only about providing shelter, it is about support and community, it is about kindness and safety.
Last week, in a powerful act of solidarity at the Dóchas Centre (Mountjoy women’s prison), at the instigation of Sabina Higgins, wife of our President, a bowl of shamrock was presented to the Irish Red Cross as a symbol of global solidarity with people in need.
The shamrock, an enduring emblem of Irish identity and unity, represents the resilience and warmth of the Irish people. This act of giving shamrock to those who have sought refuge in Ireland carries a profound message: Ireland stands with those in need, offering not just shelter but a place of belonging.
A recent survey by the Irish Red Cross underscores the overwhelmingly positive experience of hosting Ukrainians. An incredible 91% of hosts report that welcoming these displaced individuals into their homes has been a deeply rewarding experience, driven by humanitarian solidarity and a desire to help.
Many have formed lifelong relationships with their guests, seeing them not just as visitors but as part of their extended family.
Concern for the future
However, this generosity comes with challenges. Two-thirds of hosts express concern for their guests’ future in Ireland, fearing for their ability to build stable lives.
Over half report language barriers as a significant hurdle, yet those who have engaged in direct conversation with their guests have seen remarkable improvements in communication.
These everyday interactions, at the dinner table, during school runs, or while exploring local communities, become informal but invaluable language lessons. Financial strain is another challenge, with many hosts relying on the accommodation recognition payment to offset additional costs.
A staggering 91% of hosts have never been landlords, nor do they intend to be in the future. This initiative has mobilised significant accommodation resources outside of traditional rental markets.
Encouragingly, two thirds of hosts have indicated a willingness to offer accommodation to other displaced groups in the future, highlighting the potential of this model.
Across the globe, more than 50% cuts to international humanitarian work are having dire and fatal impacts. The need for sustained aid and a commitment to humanitarian principles has never been greater. We call on all parties to uphold their obligations and ensure that those in desperate need receive assistance.
At home, the Irish Red Cross continues to support vulnerable communities by innovating a partnership with the State that delivers a health, first aid, and leadership programme inside all our prisons, which makes Ireland the first country in the world to implement peer-to-peer health education in prisons, benefiting not just the prison community but also their families and the broader society.
It is deeply symbolic that the Irish Red Cross received the shamrock in the Dóchas Centre, highlighting a powerful connection between our work supporting displaced persons and our pioneering prison initiatives, both exemplifying how compassion can transform lives in challenging circumstances.
Our work extends beyond crisis response. From emergency transport during severe weather events such as Storm Éowyn to facilitating health services, our volunteers dedicate their time and skills to ensure that no one is left out, no one is left behind.
As a nation, we have demonstrated what is possible when compassion meets action.
The shamrock, with its three leaves growing from a single stem, has always symbolised unity and interconnection. It represents the connection between our traditional values of hospitality and our modern role as humanitarian leaders, between government policy and community action, between those who give help and those who receive it.
Together, we can continue to shape a future where those displaced by conflict find not just shelter, but a true sense of belonging in Ireland. This movement of kindness is not just a response to crisis, it is simply a part of who we are.
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