For Immediate Release, 28 June 2024 

The Irish Refugee Council and Mayrose Future Company launched a captivating and moving photo exhibition titled ‘Saol Nua: The Refugee Experience in Ireland’ this Friday evening to mark World Refugee Day.  

The exhibition is open to the public from June 29th to July 1st in the Liffey Room, CHQ Building. The 33 portraits, mementos, and letters, strives to offer an authentic portrayal of the lives of 17 people from 12-15 countries at different stages of the international protection process. Through a series of detailed and evocative photographs, ‘Saol Nua’ captures the unique and transformative journeys of these individuals and families from diverse backgrounds and ethnicities rebuilding their lives with the support of communities across Ireland.  

Wendy Muperi, Communications Officer at the Irish Refugee Council, said: 

“We see ‘Saol Nua’ as an avenue to celebrate the fortitude and determination of refugees as they start afresh in a new country. They also highlight the incredible work being done by communities across Ireland to help them cope with life in exile as they await decisions on their applications and when granted status.  

“It stands as a testament to the power of visual storytelling in bridging cultural divides and fostering a sense of our shared humanity. We hope that it will help us harness the power of unity in solving our social challenges at a time we see forces of hate trying to pity us against each other. We are grateful to Tesco and DLA Piper for supporting this launch.” 

Project photographer and Mayrose Future Company Director Michael Sugrue and said: 

"We've intended the exhibit to create an unvarnished perspective on the breadth and diversity of the refugee experience in contemporary Ireland, to promote compassion, and to explore a deeper understanding of our shared humanity regardless of circumstance, skin colour, or country of origin.

By presenting a range of visuals from portraits to environmentals and still life, the unique-yet-relatable nuances and range of experiences result in a recalibration of what it means to be a refugee in Ireland today.”

Notes for Editors 

More about Saol Nua Photo Exhibition including opening and closing times here.

Mayrose Future Company provided pro bono support for this project.  

Tesco, who have been supporting our employment work, and DLA Piper, whom we have a long-standing partnership through the ‘Know Your Rights’ projects, supported the launch of the photo exhibition.  

DLA Piper also supported the launch and have partnered with the Irish Refugee Council in delivering the Know Your Rights project which helps refugees and people seeking protection in Ireland understand their rights and responsibilities.

For more information contact: 

Wendy Muperi, Communications Officer, Irish Refugee Council, [email protected] /085 855 0434. 

Nick Henderson, CEO, Irish Refugee Council, [email protected] /085 858 5559