US Coastguard cadets connect with community

By Mary Dennehy

A TEAM of US Coastguard cadets got a warm Tallaght welcome and a bowl of coddle during a volunteering mission to Dominic’s Community Centre on Saturday.

Last week, America’s tall ship, the USCG Eagle, docked in at Sir John Rogerson’s Quay and, alongside providing free tours to members of the public, cadets spent a day of service in Tallaght.

The visit to Tallaght was organised through the US Embassy and Localise, a national youth and community development organisation that engages young people in Ireland to give back to their community through volunteering service.

While docked in Dublin, the young cadets wanted to carry out a day of service while connected with members of the active-aged community. Dominic’s Community Centre, in Avonbeg, was chosen as the perfect fit.

Derek Cleary, Director of Localise, told The Echo: “When the cadets are in a town they like to connect with local communities and that’s how they ended up coming together with the good people of Dominic’s – and together they created a fantastic day.

“The visit was about carrying out a day of service and connecting with some senior citizens, and Dominic’s was the perfect location.

“The cadets worked alongside some younger members of the community and whitewashed walls and painted a ship in the playground among other things. They also got to connect with the senior members of the community.

“It was a really successful day that doesn’t happen too often and some great connections were made. Some of the senior citizens were also former military men, so that created a link with the cadets.”

He added: “It really was a lovely opportunity for the cadets. The people of Tallaght gave them such a warm and personal welcome.”

Deirdre Cleary, Manager of Dominic’s Community Centre, said: “The young cadets did an amazing job and were here at the centre from 10am until 4.30pm.

“They really engaged with the centre and its members and also judged an apple-pie-tasting competition organised by some of the ladies in the active-age group.”