Hotel welcomes over 150 Ukrainian refugees

Over 3,000 kilometres from their homeland, 150 Ukrainian refugee families, mainly women, children and the elderly, have been made welcome in the Creggan Court Hotel in Athlone.

“We were approached by the government to provide accommodation and we have agreed, so on the 11th March, just before St Patrick's Day we got our first arrivals,” General Manager of the Creggan Court Hotel Philip Byrne explained on Monday, speaking about the first group of 52 people displaced from war-torn Ukraine.

Arriving in Athlone off a late flight, the first 52-strong group were welcomed by staff in the hotel who had food prepared for them after a long journey.

“One of the men said 'it's paradise'. Another said: 'I had lost faith in humanity but you have restored it'. When you hear things like that and you're doing your job welcoming people, it's emotional,” Philip said, adding that the group has settled in very well since then.

They didn't receive welcome packs at the airport so the hotel team then set about getting SIM cards the following day for their phones which they were so grateful for, and showing them how to get around via the bus service, and generally orienting them to their new surroundings.

In the days since the print edition went to press on Monday, another large group has arrived in Athlone bringing the number up to 150, the maximum the hotel can cater for.

“The team here has done a great job integrating them and because of that, they feel part of Athlone already,” said Philip of the first group, with several children already attending school locally. They also started their first English language classes in the 70-bed hotel off the Creggan roundabout, today (Friday).

While the first group arriving just prior to a long Bank Holiday weekend wasn't ideal for accessing public services, by Monday a member from the Department of Social Protection met with the group, along with the HSE, and Westmeath County Development, who Philip praised as “a great help” in organising the practicalities and offering information about local courses, employment and sourcing school places.

While the group had spoken about aspects of their life back home and some were distressed when they arrived, Philip said the hotel staff are focused on looking after them like any other guests, and making sure they have all they need and feel welcome.

“They (the group) are excellent. It's been emotional from my side to know where they have come from, and now they are in the middle of Ireland in Athlone, a long way from home,” he remarked, saying they are really enthusiastic about getting work, finding accommodation, activities and keeping busy.

“It has been a learning curve for everybody but technology has been great, and things like app translators are a great help,” said the hotel manager, stressing that the new arrivals are very grateful for the help they have received to date.

While he is very thankful too to the public for dropping in donations, they now have to limit it now to specific items like schoolbags, uniforms, prams, buggies and do up a list of what's required at any particular time. He asked the public to email:info@creggancourthotel.com and staff will give them an up-to-date situation for donations.

Meanwhile, the hotel's carvery and bar/food service is operating as normal and the hotel looked after several Communion and Confirmation parties at the weekend. However, all of the accommodation is earmarked for Ukrainian refugees as they arrive, Mr Byrne, who is from Athlone, explained.

Even though they have come to Ireland in traumatic circumstances, the Athlone hotel manager believes the displaced Ukrainian people can make a very important contribution to society however long they are here.

“Going forward if agencies work together it will be of benefit to Ireland – there are a lot of highly skilled people (in the group) teachers, pharmacists, dentists and web designers.

“There is an opportunity for everybody. As the past two years have shown, there is a shortage of skilled workers in Ireland, in almost every sector, like ours in hospitality. They want to work. They have said it from day one.”