Waterford Malayalee Association are welcomed to City Hall by Mayor

The Waterford Malayalee Association recently paid a courtesy visit to City Hall to welcome the Mayor of Waterford, Cllr Liam Brazil, and Deputy Mayor, Cllr Jim Darcy.

Established in 2008, the Waterford Malayalee Association represents people from Kerala, a state on the south-western coast of India, who now live and work in Waterford.

Malayalees take their name from Malayalam, the principal language of Kerala.

Waterford’s Malayalee community has particularly strong links with Ireland’s healthcare sector. Many members first came to Ireland through recruitment campaigns undertaken from the early 2000s to address shortages of nurses and other healthcare professionals.

The new Mayor and Deputy Mayor were greeted by Association President Shiju Shasthamkunnel and committee members Joseph Mathew, Jaya Prince and Bincy Shibu Thomas.

Representatives of the Association outlined its work in supporting the local community and celebrating Kerala’s cultural heritage through events including Onam, Christmas and New Year celebrations, as well as cricket, football and other social activities.

Mayor of Waterford, Cllr Liam Brazil, congratulated the Association on its work and paid particular tribute to the contribution made by members of the Malayalee community to healthcare in Waterford.

“The contribution of Malayalee healthcare professionals has been enormously important to Waterford,” he said.

“Their skill and dedication have benefited patients and families throughout the city and county. I was delighted to meet representatives of the Association today and to recognise the wider contribution its members continue to make to Waterford.” 

Deputy Mayor, Cllr Jim Darcy, said the community represented a positive example of immigration and successful integration.

“The Indian community in Waterford represents much of what is positive about immigration. They came to Ireland and worked hard, built lives here and have made a considerable contribution to the county,” he said.

“The Malayalee community has made every effort to integrate and enhance Waterford. Its strong emphasis on family and community has helped people to settle, thrive and make Waterford their home.”