In the heart of County Leitrim, nestled along the winding stretches of the Shannon-Erne Waterway, lies the charming town of Ballinamore. It is here, in the warm and familiar setting of the Island Theatre, that a quiet but powerful conversation is about to take place. On Friday, October 16th, the Leitrim Volunteer Centre will host a free workshop dedicated to tackling two of the most corrosive forces in modern society: hate and disinformation online. This isn’t just another seminar with slideshows and jargon; it is a call to action for the local community to come together, understand the digital world’s dark underbelly, and reclaim it as a space for connection and kindness. The event promises to be a sanctuary for volunteers, community group members, and any concerned citizen who believes that a single voice can make a difference, and that a chorus of them can change the world.
The workshop, which runs from 11:00 am to 3:30 pm, is being delivered in partnership with the Hope & Courage Collective, a national organisation formerly known as the Far Right Observatory. The name change is telling—it signifies a shift from merely observing the problem to actively cultivating the solution. The session will provide a safe, open space to explore how social media platforms, with their algorithms designed to provoke and engage, have become fertile ground for the spread of hate speech and dangerous misinformation. Attendees will delve into the mechanics of this digital amplification, understanding not just what is happening in our online spaces, but why it happens and, more importantly, what can be done about it. This is about moving beyond the screen and understanding the human impact of online hate, and how it spills over into our physical communities, creating divisions and eroding the trust that binds us together.
At its core, the workshop is about building resilience. The discussion will move past simple awareness and into the realm of effective community response. How do we, as neighbours, friends, and fellow citizens, respond when we see hateful content being shared? How do we support those who are targeted? And crucially, how do we work together to build communities that are not only resilient to division but are actively welcoming, connected, and inclusive? This isn’t about policing speech or shutting down uncomfortable conversations; it’s about fostering a community where everyone feels they belong, where the standard of decency is set high, and where disinformation is met with facts, empathy, and a strong sense of shared humanity. The workshop will provide practical tools and strategies for participants to take back to their own groups and networks.
The choice of the Island Theatre as the venue is deeply symbolic. In an age where our interactions are increasingly digitized and fragmented, the theatre represents a traditional, communal space—a place where people gather together, share an experience, and look each other in the eye. It is the perfect setting for this event, which is as much about bringing people together in person as it is about addressing the divisions that exist online. Lunch is included in the schedule, and this is not just an administrative detail. It is a crucial part of the day’s design, offering an opportunity for attendees to connect with one another, share their own experiences of the online world, and build the kind of cross-community relationships that are the foundation of any movement for social good. It’s over a sandwich and a cup of tea that friendships are forged and alliances are formed.
The Hope & Courage Collective, the brains behind the workshop, brings a wealth of experience to the table. As a national civil society organisation, they work with a broad coalition of partners, including community groups, advocacy organisations, trade unions, activists, and academics. Their mission is clear: to stop hate from organising in our communities and workplaces. They understand that hate is not just an individual feeling but a coordinated force, often driven by sophisticated disinformation campaigns designed to divide and conquer. By coming to Leitrim, they are bringing their national expertise to a local level, empowering the people of Ballinamore and the surrounding areas to be the first line of defence. The change of name from the “Far Right Observatory” to the “Hope & Courage Collective” is a deliberate and strategic rebrand, focusing not on the purveyors of hate, but on the human qualities required to oppose them: hope for a better future, and the courage to fight for it.
This free workshop is a golden opportunity for anyone in Leitrim who wants to make a positive difference in their community. It is open to all volunteers and local community groups, though prior registration is essential to ensure a place. The organisers are expecting a full house, as the issues being addressed are ones that resonate across the political and social spectrum. From parents worried about the content their children are exposed to online, to employees concerned about workplace harassment, to simply neighbours who feel something is wrong but don’t know how to help, this event is for them. The event is a testament to the power of community, a demonstration that we do not have to accept the online hate and division as an inevitable part of modern life. By coming together on October 16th, the people of Leitrim can take a stand, not with anger or aggression, but with hope and courage, taking a practical step towards building a more inclusive, informed, and compassionate community for everyone. It is more than just a workshop; it is a movement, and it is happening right here in the heart of Ireland.