Ireland's first ever Irish sign language café officially opened

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has today (Wednesday 29th November) officially opened Ireland’s first ever Irish Sign Language Café, which is located in the Deaf Village Ireland premises in Cabra, Co. Dublin.

This new facility will provide members of the Deaf Community with a modern new space in which to meet and socialise. It will also generate opportunities for employment and remote working.

The project received €100,000 under the Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF) and was officially opened by Minister Humphreys during a visit to Deaf Village today.

Speaking during the visit, Minister Humphreys said:

“I am delighted to be here today in Cabra to officially open this new and exciting facility, which received €100,000 in funding under my Department’s Community Centre Investment Fund.

“When I established this new fund last year, I did so with communities just like this one here in Deaf Village in mind.

“This is a very unique, welcoming and inclusive place – a place where members of the Deaf Community can come together and meet up with friends.

“And it’s a place too where they can access a range of supports and take part in various different activities and events in areas ranging from sport and education to arts and heritage.

“But I know too that this Village opens its doors to everyone – and it is a really popular place too for hearing people, our young people and members of the wider Cabra area.”

Minister Humphreys continued:

“Community Centres are an integral part of community life in cities, towns, villages around the country; and none more so than this unique opening here in Cabra today.

“I understand that the aim of this project was to renovate, refresh, and rebrand the café to expose and promote deaf culture and language to the wider Cabra community.

“It’s a project that will support jobs, remote working and, most importantly, help promote integration and inclusivity.

“I want to commend the work of everyone involved in bringing this project to fruition.”