Some 1,100 neighbourhood street parties are taking place across the country today as part of the annual Street Feast initiative.
Now in its tenth year, more than 120,000 neighbours will gather in their local park, on their street or in their back gardens, to share food and celebrate community.
For some, it will be the first time they meet their neighbours.
The initiative is not-for-profit and is funded by local authorities who sponsor Street Feast packs which include bunting and posters so people can spread the word and decorate their areas.
This year, Dublin is hosting some 396 street feasts, while in Cork neighbours are gathering at a record breaking 108 feasts in and around the city and county.
There are also feasts taking place in Wicklow (73), Galway (59) and Meath (43).
Wonderful #streetfeast underway at Connaught Avenue pic.twitter.com/Q013QFcnNz
— JennïeØSullivân (@OSullivanJennie) May 5, 2019
Street Feast's co-founder Sam Bishop says in an age where many people do not know their neighbours, and there are high levels of loneliness and mental health issues, this "is a fantastic way of bringing people together and creating a rich and enduring community spirit".
Initially founded as a way of getting people together through food, it has now led to other community projects including people setting up residents' associations, community gardens, and men's sheds.
The Street Feast events are part of The Big Hello initiative which aims to tackle social isolation and promote neighbourhoods.
The Big Hello events are being run by local groups in estates, villages, towns and cities.
Described as Ireland’s national community weekend, the nationwide gatherings are being funded to the tune of a quarter of a million euro.
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Minister for Rural and Community Development Michael Ring has said the initiative is aimed at finding new ways for people to connect, in an age where many families and individuals have to divide their time between commuting and longer working hours.
GAA clubs, Foróige groups, residents’ associations, historical societies and community networks are among those staging events in all counties over the weekend.
Additional reporting Pat McGrath
