A group of 50 members from the Irish-language community are to take on a special charity Swim for Palestine this weekend, including a stop in Donegal on their nationwide journey.
Activists from Conradh na Gaelige are planning to raise €50,000 through their swims for a good cause – the ACLAÍ Palestine project at the Lajee Center in the Palestinian West Bank.
They will visit all seventeen coastal counties on the island of Ireland, with their journey including a stop in Bundoran today on day one of their journey.
Members of local communities along their route are being asked to show support and solidarity across this weekend.
Speaking about the event, Aodhán Ó Deá, Director of Development with Conradh na Gaeilge said:
“Several motions were passed at the Conradh na Gaeilge Ard-Fheis this year and last in relation to Palestinian solidarity, such as calling for an immediate permanent ceasefire and implementing a BDS policy within the organisation. We wanted to pro-actively support the Palestinian community, and we have a natural connection with ACLAÍ Palestine and the Lajee Center: various people from the Irish-language community have spent time volunteering at the Center in recent years and in December 2024, a branch of Conradh na Gaeilge was registered at the Lajee Center – the first branch ever in Palestine.”
Róisín Ní Chinnéide, Advocacy Manager with Conradh na Gaeilge and former volunteer in the Lajee Center said:
“It’s more important than ever for us to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people, who are suffering under ongoing genocide, apartheid and colonisation. Words can’t describe the daily challenges faced by the community in the Aida Camp, and the Lajee Center serves as an anchor for their incredible resilience. Every cent raised from this fundraising campaign will go straight to a community centre that is run by and for refugees, to continue to provide essential services for their community. ”
