A former national school in Co Galway has been repurposed to serve as a hub for Ukrainians fleeing the conflict in their homeland.
A massive community effort in the village of Newbridge has seen the building transformed in recent days.
Local man Seán Gavin (pictured) said over 120 people descended on the school after a suggestion that work be carried out there.
In a little over 48 hours, the property was rewired, painted, cleaned and plumbed. A kitchen was installed in what was once a cloakroom. The three classrooms will be used to give Ukrainians a space where they can gather, and, should the need arise, provide additional accommodation.
A number of refugees arrived in the village this week. Inna Andrievska and Darina Yanchuk travelled with their children for eight days before arriving in northeast Galway.
Ms Andrievska's children, Roman and Lisa, will start attending the local school and creche next week: "The children are very happy to be in Ireland and to be in this village."
She said the community in Newbridge had welcomed her family with open arms: "They are very nice people with big, kind hearts."
The decision to leave Ukraine was not an easy one but having contacted relations here, the women were convinced to travel in the interests of their safety.
While they remain in contact with their relatives at home, Ms Andreivska said they were "still afraid for them".
"They know we are safe here but my husband and my parents and my sisters and brothers are still in Ukraine," she said.
Margaret Kerrigan and Monica Jones are just two of the locals who have dropped all to assist the new arrivals.
As they posed for selfies with their visitors outside the school, Ms Jones spoke of how the helplessness of watching events unfold on television was somewhat countered by being able to provide tangible assistance to those fleeing the war.
"When you see how much they need and how much they have lost, you just want to do whatever you can to help," said Ms Jones.
The women have been struck by how quickly life changed for the Ukrainians.
"One day they were going about their business, sending their children to school and the next day, their home is gone, they're separated from their husbands and they’re fleeing their country. It’s heartbreaking," said Ms Kerrigan.
Fr Louis Lohan, who helped secure access to the school, said out of that heartbreak, there are glimmers of real hope.
He paid tribute to the "amazing community around Newbridge, who have rallied for so many local causes over the years". And he feels that the goodness being shown in Newbridge is present in every town and village in the country, "if it is sparked and ignited".
That warmth he spoke of was palpable walking through the former national school - work carried out at the drop of a hat to benefit complete strangers.
It's an indicator of the kindness that prevails among the community in northeast Galway and their determination to play some part in easing the troubles of those caught up in the conflict.
