dlr Refugee Week 2026 - theme of ‘Courage’

Refugee Week Ireland 2026 is an annual festival where we celebrate compassion and connection, and everyone is welcome. This year marks 75 years since the adoption of the Refugee Convention, the international agreement affirming that people forced to flee have the right to protection, dignity, and hope. 

Through a collective programme of community events and culture, art exhibitions, sports, performances, food, panel events and gatherings, dlr Refugee Week brings people from different backgrounds together to foster a deeper understanding of why people are displaced and the challenges they face when seeking safety, as well as celebrating communities who welcome them.

The dlr Refugee Week programme is coordinated by the dlr Local Authority Integration Team and see highlights and links to all events below. 

All events are free of charge & everyone is welcome

Saturday 13th June, dlr LexIcon Library, Dún Laoghaire, A96 H283, 2p.m – 4p.m: Monthly ‘Celebrating Cultures | Cultúir á gCeiliúradh’ event: 

Launch of dlr Refugee Week Exhibitions running until end of June on the theme of ‘Courage’:

• UCD: ‘Objects, War and Memory’ in Ireland past and present 
• Art works, Ezine and Photography with participants from integration art projects led by 
  • Dalkey Inter Church Migrant Support Group 
  • dlr Volunteer Centre 
  • Southside Partnership DLR 

Music performances with Victoria Zhadko (Classical Guitar) & Olena Topolska (Flute); Music Generation dlr Blackrock Youth Group; Aziz Abushark (Palestinian Qanoon) & traditional music with Craobh Naithí. 

Free of charge, everyone welcome. More information below and Booking at Eventbrite HERE 

Saturday 13th June, Blackrock Park, Meet at Blackrock Dart Station, 9:15a.m and walk to Blackrock Park for fortnightly Sanctuary Runners event

Runners, Joggers, walkers and Volunteers welcome. More info HERE

Monday 15th June, Eblana Club, Dún Laoghaire, A96 DX74, 7p.m

dlr Refugee Week Panel Discussion ‘Stories of our journeys – Courage & Hope’ organised by Dún Laoghaire Welcomes - More info HERE

Wednesday 17 June, online Rainbow Refugees Awareness Session , from 12:00pm to 1:00pm.

As part of Refugee Week 2026, LGBT Ireland would like to invite you to join our upcoming online Rainbow Refugees Awareness Session on Wednesday, 17 June, from 12:00pm to 1:00pm.

This free online session is designed to build awareness and capacity among those supporting refugees and international protection applicants (IPAs), particularly around the specific challenges and experiences of LGBT+ people within these communities.

    Register here for free

Thursday 18h June, Studio Theatre, dlr LexIcon Library, Dún Laoghaire, A96 H283, 10-1p.m - Southside Partnership DLR Women's Programme & women4womenNetwork, Refugee Week Ireland Multi Cultural Women's Breakfast

Bring a Friend, Bring a Dish, All Women are Welcome – More info below and booking on Eventbrite HERE

Friday 18th June, Studio Theatre, dlr LexIcon Library, Dún Laoghaire, A96 H283, 6.30p.m 

dlr Integration Forum & dlr Local Authority Integration Team Film Screening of ‘The Swimmers’ 

To book your place, Eventbrite link HERE 

Free of charge, all welcome – More info HERE

Please see other events below