In 2017 a bus left Knockalisheen Accommodation Centre and travelled two kilometres to Moyross. It sounds like nothing. For the children on board, it was the first time they had been in their own community outside of school hours.
That bus became CONNECT. What started as one idea, spearheaded by Michele Ryan and brought to life with Moyross Youth Academy Centre, Céim ar Chéim, Music Generation and a small group of people who believed these children deserved more, has grown into a summer camp that now reaches children across Limerick, Clare and Tipperary.
The idea has never changed. We do not bring children home. We bring them into the community that is already theirs.
The Cost of a Summer
Running CONNECT 2026 costs approximately 4,500.00 euros (per camp). We are asking our community to help us raise funds through public support, with the remainder met through partner contributions and grants.
Every euro goes directly into the camp: transport, food, activities, materials and the small things that make a big day feel special for a child who rarely gets one.
What CONNECT Is
CONNECT is a multi day summer camp for children living in IPAS accommodation, the International Protection Accommodation Service centres where families seeking asylum are housed while their cases are processed. Families can spend years in these centres, often in locations far from town life, school friends and ordinary childhood.There are close to 9,000 children living in IPAS accommodation across Ireland today. Most go to school. Very few get to simply exist in their community once the school day ends.
CONNECT closes that gap for three days at a time. Children arrive by bus and spend their days making art, playing music, exploring nature and simply being children among their neighbours. No child is defined by where they live. For a few days each summer, they get to be defined by what they love.
This summer CONNECT returns for another year of camps across Limerick, Clare and Tipperary.
When: Week of 5 August, 10am to 3pm Format: Three days per camp Reach: Up to 50 children per camp, approximately 150 children in total, aged 8 to 16 Centres in scope: King Thomond, Burren House Hotel, Griffin House, River House, Ballysimon Centre and Dundrum House Hotel
Every child who attends will spend three days doing what childhood should be. Making friends. Making noise. Making memories that have nothing to do with where they sleep at night.
Our Approach
Safeguarding and Child Protection
Children’s safety is central to everything we do.
All Connect activities are planned with safeguarding, appropriate supervision and child protection responsibilities in mind. We work to create environments where children are protected, respected and supported.
Volunteers and partners involved in Connect activities are expected to uphold ECIYC’s values of dignity, inclusion, respect and child-centred care.
Belonging
We create spaces where every child and family feels welcome, respected and included
Participation
We believe children and young people should have meaningful opportunities to take part, express themselves and shape their experiences.
Community
We know that real change happens when people come together. Connect builds bridges between families, volunteers, organisations and local communities.
Get Involved
Connect is powered by community.
There are many ways to support this work, including volunteering your time, donating supplies, offering a venue, supporting an activity, sponsoring a programme or partnering with us to reach more children and families.
Your support helps us create spaces where children can laugh, learn, play, make friends and feel that they belong.
Partner With Us
We welcome collaboration with businesses, community groups, schools, local authorities, faith groups, youth services, cultural organisations and individuals who share our commitment to inclusion and child wellbeing.
Together, we can build stronger communities where every child feels valued.
Our Partners
