In July and August, residents of all ages living in developments at Tuath were invited to participate in summer camps and events throughout Ireland.

Throughout the summer months, eight weeks of camps and over ten summer events took place for Tuath residents around Ireland. A variety of activities took place, facilitated and supported by a variety of organisations and funders. 

These summer events and camps have empowered residents, both young and old, to build confidence, develop new skills & connect with their community by making new friends and connecting with neighbours. By providing opportunities for residents to participate in their local community and enhance their confidence and skills, Tuath empowers residents while continuing to foster sustainable communities. 

Summer camps 

Over three weeks in July and August Tuath partnered with Little Fitness, a social enterprise and not-for-profit organisation to host three camps which focused on fun and educational fitness for children of all abilities. Two camps took place in the community space at Aldborough in Greystones, Co. Wicklow while campers from Shackleton Hall, Lucan and Cooleven, Clondalkin joined together in Adamstown Community Centre for another enjoyable week funded by the HSE National Lottery Grant Scheme. Campers tried a wide variety of physical and creative activities, including classes in dance, fitness, hip hop, arts and crafts, with Weightlifting Ireland facilitating a weightlifting session. 

In July, Tuath hosted two five-day summer camps for younger residents in Navan, Bettystown and Drogheda in Meath and Louth, facilitated by Starcamp. Campers learned essential confidence building, performance and presentation skills and even received a surprise visit from superman! Providing younger residents with opportunities to build these skills and abilities is a key objective of the Tuath Tenant Engagement Strategy 2022-25, as we continue to empower residents of all ages.

Glowcamps facilitated another camp week in July. Younger residents from various Tuath developments across North Dubiln came together to learn about Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) and Lego.

Dundalk FC’s Oriel Park was the venue for 40 children living in Tuath homes across Dundalk to join a camp in July. Funded by Healthy Louth, the campers were very active and learned many new soccer skills. The highlight of the week was perhaps a visit from the Dundalk FC men’s first team who came to meet the young residents and sign autographs.

In Cork, residents of The Meadows in Knocknacullen were invited to a week of varied sports and activities, funded by Tuath Housing in Terence McSweney Hall. This is the second year that a Let’s Go Camp has taken place near The Meadows, as the Housing Finance Agency Social Investment Fund for local community initiatives supported the roll-out of this camp last year.

Summer Events

Over ten summer events took place in Tuath developments across the country throughout June, July and August.

In Cork, residents at Milestream, Shanakiel enjoyed ‘Sports on the Green,’ while a Summer Festival took place in Bishop’s Avenue.

Meanwhile in Dublin, there was face painting, magic and doughnuts for residents of Burnell, North Dublin. At Woodside on the Enniskerry Road, residents were invited to an end of summer arts and crafts event, creating beautiful art from sustainable supplies like paper, paper plate and lollipop sticks. In Ellis Court, there was entertainment, food and fun for their end of summer event.

In Kilternan, younger residents and their families had fun dancing, playing games and enjoying a meal together. Members of the Tuath Property Services department attended, giving residents a chance to talk with staff from the repairs and maintenance team. Initiatives like this provide a wonderful opportunity for resident involvement, as residents can talk with Tuath staff and seek solutions to their concerns, while allowing Tuath to make resident-informed service delivery decisions.

In Cois Cuain, Drogheda, residents hired a mobile video game van and kid’s soft play bus, with the assistance of funding from Tuath. Liscorrie Residents’ Association in Drogheda were also supported by Tuath funding to have an event on the estate’s green. At Dundoogan in Dundalk, the Residents’ Association hosted an end of summer family fun day where attendees enjoyed an ice cream van, snacks and hot drinks in the shining sun.

With funding from the HSE, Community groups at Kickham Street and Mill Crescent in Carrick-On-Suir, Tipperary, combined to host a Community Fun Day filled with entertainment, games and bubbles to wrap up the summer holidays. Two days of events in Wexford were also made possible through HSE funding as residents at Kerlogue Manor, Forgelands, Ramstown and Gleann An Ghairdín enjoyed a mobile farm event from Nore Valley Park Mobile Farm for residents to enjoy and feed the animals.

Congratulations to all residents and staff involved in these events and camps throughout the summer months. Thank you to facilitators and funders for their support in empowering and connecting with residents throughout the country at Tuath.