Outgoing lord mayor opening migrant centre is apt as 'the son of Irish migrants coming back to Cork'

Dan Boyle’s final official act as lord mayor of Cork was particularly apt, he said, with the Chicago-born Green Party councillor opening a centre for migrants in the middle of his ward.

Mr Boyle officially opened Cork’s Migrant Health Hub in the South Parish Community Centre on Sawmill St last Friday afternoon, in the midst of a vibrant celebration of the city’s migrant community.

Mr Boyle said it was a great pleasure to open the health hub in the South Parish.

“It’s the area that I represent, next door to Turner’s Cross, the area in which I grew up, and it’s a subject I’ve been touched by myself, having been the son of Irish migrants coming back to Cork,” he said.

“It’s a great honour to have been the lord mayor and to officiate over a changed and changing city that has been made better because of the new people and new communities living here.”

He said a new Cork was emerging, one strengthened and improved by the people who have made their home here.

“I want to particularly thank those communities that are represented here for being here today, Ukrainians, Mexicans, people from Africa, people from Eastern Europe, people from South East Asia,” Mr Boyle said.

“It’s not the Cork that I grew up in, I moved back with my Irish parents when I was eight years of age, and my American accent was the most exotic thing here.

“In Cork now, being different is a whole panoply of things, and we’re the better for that, and we’re going to be the better for having facilities like this, and looking at health in its holistic sense, health of the body, health of the mind, and to some extent health of the soul.”

Fiona Hurley of Nasc, the Migrant and Refugee Rights Centre, said the new Migrant Health Hub in Cork would be a game-changer in the city.

“It brings services together in one welcoming space, making it easier for migrant and refugee communities to get the support they need — when they need it. It’s collaboration in action, and we’re proud to be part of it,” she said.

Mari O’Donovan, interim head of primary care for the HSE South West, said that the launch of the Cork hub was an important development.

“This is a powerful example of what’s possible when community and statutory organisations come together with a shared vision,” she said.

“The spirit of collaboration behind this initiative has been inspiring, and it reflects Cork’s long-standing commitment to being a truly inclusive and welcoming city and in delivering innovative, community-informed healthcare solutions.

“We believe it marks a really positive step forward in supporting the health and wellbeing of migrant communities, and we’re very proud of our partnership.”