All posts by quakersireland

Deadline for Special Interest Group proposals for IYM 2026 extended to Feb. 2

Special Interest Groups will be held in-person only at this year’s Yearly Meeting. The SIG’s will take place on the Saturday morning of Yearly Meeting.

If you have a topic or theme that you want to explore, and have a clear plan of how this might be presented on the day, please email your proposal to Office@quakers.ie by Monday 2 February 2026 at the latest. The Programme Committee will then be able to decide which proposals can be developed further, so that we have as wide-ranging programme.

Online course: Unarmed Civilian Defence (Feb 2 – Mar 15)

This six-week online course addresses a central challenge facing societies today: What can unarmed civilians do when militaries attack, invade, or occupy their communities? What real alternatives exist beyond fighting back with violence?

The course requires 3-6 hours per week. The cost is on a sliding scale from $25 to $100, or more if you can afford it.

You can find more information in this flyer or on the course website.

Executive Director for Quaker Service announced

The Chair of Quaker Service, Elizabeth Dickson, has informed the IYM Office in Dublin that Alexey Janes has been appointed as the new Executive Director of Quaker Service.

Alexey joins the charity having spent 36 years working at all levels within the voluntary and community sector in both Scotland and Northern Ireland. For the last 10 years he has worked for Ulster Wildlife as their Community Engagement Manager. His qualifications include a Postgraduate Diploma in Youth and Community Work from the University of Ulster and a level 7 ILM qualification in Leadership and Management.

Alexey’s work experience includes leading youth and community development programmes in North Belfast and previous leadership of two Northern Ireland wide charities – The Young Farmers Clubs of Ulster and the Reminiscence Network NI. Outside of work Alexey is kept busy as a foster carer and indulging his interests in nature and traditional woodland crafts.

Alexey will take up his position in February and is looking forward to working with staff and volunteers and all those served by the charity.

Public Silent Quaker Peace Witness (Saturday Feb 14)

Dublin Monthly Meeting Peace Committee plans to hold another Silent Quaker Peace Witness on Saturday Nov 8 from 11.30am to 12.30pm, outside the gates of St Stephen’s Green at the top of Grafton St, Dublin.

The format will be a one hour silent Meeting for Worship.  We will have the usual banner, which reads “Quaker Peace Witness”,  and we will leaflets to give anyone who shows interest.

Friends from all Meetings, and their friends, are once again very welcome.

Thanks

Sean Kinsella, Dublin MM Peace Committee

Open Mic Event at Eustace Street Meeting House (21 Feb)

Eustace Street Friends, together with DMM Communications/Outreach Committee, invites Members, Attenders, families and friends to the first in a series of Open Mic events.

The event will start at 2.30pm with lunch – you should bring your own lunch (and maybe something to share). Tea/Coffee and cake/biscuits will be provided.

The Open Mic event itself starts at 3pm –
With a maximum time limit of up to 7 minutes for each person,
you are invited to share your poetry, storytelling/prose, spoken word.

The theme for the event is SIMPLICITY

As it would be helpful to know in advance the number of speakers,
please email QuakerOpenMic@gmail.com to book your spot.
We hope to accept speakers on the day but to ensure inclusion, please email in advance.

You can help spread the word among Friends, friends and family using this open-mic flyer.