When a group of Syrian men, women and children arrive at a former hotel in Ballaghaderreen next week they will be greeted by welcoming messages from the local community as well as a link to loved ones left at home.
They will also probably be met by a lively cat called Rusty, who arrived as a stray with those working on the former Abbeyfield hotel and is now regarded by staff as a mascot.
To the left of the lobby is a “welcome wall”, an art installation covered with messages, many transcribed into Arabic, left by people from Roscommon and further afield.
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On the right is an internet hub, a bank of six computers , which Jacqueline Mullen, manager of the emergency reception and orientation centre, says will be the refugees’ link to home.
Ordeal
The Syrian families had been expected tomorrow but all Ms Mullen will say now is that the first group – believed to comprise 26 men, 18 women and 35 children – will be in the town within the next 10 days.
There will be no fanfare, she insists, as these people will probably need “quiet time” to recover from the ordeal they have been through.
There were still builders in the former four-star hotel at the weekend, putting finishing touches to a block that includes a classroom, health clinic and laundry.
“We are nearly there. It’s all hands on deck,” said Ms Mullen, a former hotel manager. She is determined to create a “safe and happy place” for her guests and is getting help from several sources.
Two local chemists, Molloys and Murphys, have provided “welcome packs” consisting of nappies, wipes, baby food and toiletries.
Book shops have made donations, and books in Arabic keep arriving at the centre courtesy of people who ordered them online.
“We also have Arabic television channels,” said Ms Mullen, who had been keen to find ways to make the families feel at home.
Dining area
Some bedrooms have been adapted to provide family suites, a playroom for small children – dubbed the “Sanctuary” – has been created in a former meeting room, and the one- time function room will be the dining area.
Chef Ali Derazzi, from Casablanca in Morocco, will prepare halal meals for the families.
He speaks Arabic, which will make him a key member of staff for adults who will initially speak little English.
“We have 15 staff at the moment, all local except for myself and Ali, and this will probably rise to 20,” said Ms Mullen.
Debbie Beirne, co-ordinator of the Welcome to Roscommon movement, which has been collaborating with all the State agencies involved in the project, estimated that €10,000 of toys and equipment had been donated.
“Apart from the playroom, we have another room full of teddies and toys which we can use at Christmas, birthdays and other occasions,” she said.
Willow seesaw
An outdoor play area, with a mud kitchen, willow seesaw and water wall, were put together by staff and students from the GMIT campus in Castlebar.
“You’d like the children to be able to lose themselves here, to get some respite from whatever trauma they have been through,” says lecturer Davy Walsh.
Mary Gallagher, who runs a clothes shop in the centre of Ballaghaderreen, says she has had mostly positive feedback after her compassionate views on the refugee arrivals became an internet talking point.
Concerns
“I hope they will be made welcome,” she says.”Most of the people I spoke to feel the same. These are people who were like us, and we might be in their position again.
“Look what is happening all over the world. Look at Brexit. We don’t even know what Brexit will do to us.”
Sinn Féin councillor Michael Mulligan, who runs a shop in the town, has some concerns about a lack of services for the new arrivals.
“Everything will be top class up there [in the centre] but what will they do?” he asked.
“There will be 80 more arriving soon and eventually there will be 250 and I think maybe that is too many for a small town.”
