‘Potluck’ event gave over 135 a chance to taste dishes from eclectic cuisine mix

SAGGART & Citywest Together pulled off what has been called “the best event yet” over the weekend as they held a community potluck at the Saggart Schoolhouse Community Centre.

Attracting 135 people from cultures and countries all over the world, the event gave both locals and new residents the chance to taste a new dish from the eclectic mix of cuisines that were on offer.

Brian O’Brien-Olinger from Saggart & Citywest Together told The Echo he has “lost count of the number of countries and cultures that were there,” as people from countries such as China, different parts of India, Eastern Europe, Latvia, Ukraine, America, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan and Bangladesh turned up on the day.

Brian emphasised the importance of these events to encourage people meet their neighbours and support integration in areas such as Citywest.

“Our area is so diverse now” Brian said, “there’s probably too many housing developments in this area and not enough resources – which is a common complaint in many areas – but one of the things that it has brought, is the many different people and the really interesting relationships that we’ve all built together.”

The potluck event was such a success thanks to the work of several community groups, including Saggart & Citywest Together, South Dublin Volunteer Centre, Saggart Tidy Towns and Saggart Schoolhouse Community Centre, SDCC and the South Dublin County Partnership.

Brian expressed his appreciation for organisations like the South Dublin Volunteer Center who work with smaller community groups to share their experiences in funding and in organisation, giving smaller groups the opportunity to expand further.

“We are very, very lucky to have a really good relationship with them and to be able to then talk with a much broader group of people because they’re spread across South Dublin, and then they’re part of a larger nationwide organisation as well, of course.”

“We are also members of the Public Participation Network, which will hopefully go from strength to strength in the future.

“It had stalled a few years ago and the government has put a bit of effort into getting it started up again all across the country but of course, it’s only as strong as the people who take part in it and put it together.”

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.