Mayo community embraces celebration of Palestinian culture

MAYO Celebrates Palestine - a cultural celebration for Palestine held in the Jackie Clarke Collection - was a huge success.

As well as showcasing the rich traditions of the Palestinian people, the event raised €3,000 for charity Uisce for Gaza.

Mariam Sallouha is a Palestinian woman living in Mayo and was one of the organisers of the event.

Here she writes about the day and the warmth of the response from the community in Mayo:

I didn’t expect so many people to show up - and certainly not with that much warmth, writes Mariam Sallouha.

We hosted a cultural event to share a different side of Gaza and Palestine. One that isn’t defined by destruction or tragedy. Often, when people hear the word 'Gaza' they think of rubble, hunger, and war. But there’s so much more to our home than what the headlines show. Gaza is music, laughter, food, family, tradition - it’s a place full of life.

That’s what we wanted to show. And the response was beautiful. People from all over came to listen, taste, watch, and connect. They asked questions, tried traditional Palestinian dishes, admired thobes and embroidery, and stood around just to learn.

Some had never met a Palestinian before. Many left with a deeper understanding and appreciation for a culture that refuses to disappear.

What moved me most was how many people genuinely cared. It reminded me that even far from home, we’re not alone. It also reminded me that being Palestinian isn’t just something we carry quietly - it’s something we live, celebrate, and continue to share with pride.

This day wasn’t only about showcasing our heritage - it was about remembering who we are, despite everything. And making sure others remember too.

As Palestinians living in Ireland, many of us feel a deep connection to the Irish people - a people who also know what it means to be colonised, displaced, and misrepresented. You understand the importance of language, culture, music, and memory. You know how powerful it is simply to be seen, and to be heard. That’s why this solidarity means so much.

But solidarity must also lead to action.

Ireland has a proud history of standing up for the oppressed. We hope the government continues that tradition by reviewing its ties and actions to ensure that Ireland is never on the wrong side of history.

This event was just one day. But for us, every day is a chance to speak up for our people, preserve our culture, and carry our identity with dignity. We’re not asking for pity - we’re asking to be seen in full: not just as victims, but as people with deep roots, beautiful traditions, and a story that refuses to end.

Below, some of the images from the day's celebration