The IYM 2026 web page now includes

• an updated programme (20 February 2026)

• information about Special Interest Groups

• a volunteering form

The Church of Ireland Interfaith Working Group organizes a series of ‘Dialogues of Friendship’ across faith communities to reflect on issues of common concern in our society.

The theme this year is ‘Faithfully caring for creation’.

The keynote speaker will be the Revd David Coleman, Environmental Chaplain for Eco-Congregation Scotland. This is the fourth ‘Dialogue of Friendship’ event, organised as a collaboration between the Church of Ireland Interfaith Working Group and the Places of Sanctuary Ireland Sanctuary in Faith Stream.

The day also will offer a variety of panel presentations, including the following:

• Dr Raja Harun MBE – understanding ‘Al Mizan’, an Islamic perspective of stewardship of the world

• Hilary Abrahamson – Dublin Jewish Progressive Congregation

• Dublin City Interfaith Forum – ‘Safe Haven’ initiative

• East Belfast Mission – recently recognised as a Church of Sanctuary

• Dr Manizha Khan – Sanctuary Ambassador and board member for Places of Sanctuary Ireland

The event is free of charge and a vegetarian lunch is provided. However, pre-booking is essential as places are limited. You can book using this Eventbrite link.

Exploring opportunities for collaborative, faith-based responses towards a just and sustainable future for all. This event will take place on Saturday April 18, 2026 9.30am-4.30pm at the Kimmage Manor Parish Hall, Kimmage, Dublin 12.

Speakers include:

• Ambassador David Donoghue, former Permanent Representative of Ireland to the UN in New York, co-facilitator of the negotiations on the UN 2030 Agenda
• Roisin Markham, Irish Doughnut Economics Network
• Kevin Hargaden, Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice
• Sean Farrell, CEO Trócaire

The event is being organised by AMRI (the Association of Leaders of Missionaries and Religious of Ireland).

You can find more information at this AMRI webpage.

A delegation from Dublin City Interfaith Forum and the Northern Ireland Interfaith Forum met recently with officials in the Department of the Taoiseach to share thoughts about the significance of faith communities in building inclusive citizenship in a rapidly changing Ireland.

The faith representatives were from the Bahá’í faith, the Church of Ireland, the Romanian Orthodox Church, the Soto Zen Buddhist Association, the Sikh Community Ireland, the Religious Society of Friends and the Vedic Hindu Cultural Centre of Ireland.

The Religious Society of Friends was represented by Niamh Hardiman of Churchtown Meeting (front row on the left).

Will Haire will give a talk entitled “From Stewardship to Public Service: The Journey of Belfast Quakers”, exploring the history of the Belfast Quaker Community. The talk will take place in person only at Frederick Street Meeting House on Sunday 1 March 3-4pm, and will be free of charge.

You can let others know about this event using this flyer.

Rory Rowan will give a presentation on “The Triple Lock and Militarisation” at a Churchtown Coffee Morning on Tuesday 3 March during 10.30-12.00.

You can find more information, including the Zoom link for joining online in this flyer.

A Memorial Service for our Friend Alan C. Pim, who passed away on the 12th December 2025, will take place at the Foy Hall in Newtown School Waterford on 21st February 2026 at 2pm.

The event will be live streamed at

https://irishlivestream.com/golive

and on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lr7ItFT1cyc

Tom O’Connor and Carmel O’Hara will give a presentation on “Impressions from a Two-Week Trip to Vietnam, with a Brief History” at a Churchtown Coffee Morning on Tuesday 3 February during 10.30-12.00.

You can find more information, including the Zoom link for joining online in this flyer.

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.

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.