Season’s greetings from Crosscare Irish Diaspora Support Project! As we enter the holiday period, some important notices and resources for Irish citizens seeking information or support.
Office Closure
Our office will be closed Tuesday, 24 December 2024 to Wednesday, 1 January 2025 for the Christmas and New Year holidays. We are unable to respond to any queries during this time, but please do feel free to get in touch and we will respond in due course upon our return. We look forward to re-opening on Thursday, 2 January 2025.
In the meantime, please feel free to browse our website for information on leaving or returning to Ireland. If you find yourself or someone you know in need of urgent assistance during this period, please refer to the resources below.
Emergency Resources
If you need urgent assistance abroad:
- Contact your local emergency services
- Contact your nearest Irish embassy or consulate, or call the Consular Assistance Unit within the Department of Foreign Affairs at +353 1 408 2000 (during office hours)
- For more information, visit the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Assistance Abroad page
If you need emergency assistance in Ireland: call 112 or 999 if you are concerned about your safety, mental health, or physical health
If you have returned to Ireland and you are homeless: go to the Local Authority (city or county council) in the area which you last lived to request emergency accommodation assistance. Please note that council offices are closed outside normal office hours (09:00-17:00), as well as on weekends and Bank Holidays
Homeless in Dublin
- Contact the Homeless Freephone 1800 707 707 (7 days a week, 10:00 – 22:00) for emergency accommodation and urgent housing support in Dublin City.
*Please note that shorter hours for the Homeless Freephone apply on Christmas Day – Monday 25 December, 10:00-20:00. - If you are sleeping rough in Dublin, phone 01 872 0185 (07:00-13:00) to speak to the Dublin Outreach team. This service is provided by Dublin Simon Community in partnership with the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) who operate 365 days a year, until 01:00.
- Download full details of DRHE’s Christmas arrangements 2024
Some homeless day centres will be open in Dublin city over the Christmas and New Year period, including:
- Focus Ireland Coffee Shop (14A Eustace Street, Temple Bar, Dublin, D02 R594 – Tel: 01 6712555): Food, Advice and Information
Open: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday (10:30-14:30 and 16:00-18:30); Wednesday (12:00-15:00, 16:30-18:30); Saturday and Sunday (10:30-14:30. 16:00-17:30).
*Reduced hours on Christmas day (11:00 – 14:00), Stephens Day (10:30 – 14:30, 16:00 – 18:30), New Years Day (10:30 – 14:30, 16:00 – 18:30) - Merchants Quay Ireland Homeless Day Service (Riverbank Open Access Centre, 13-14 Merchant’s Quay, Dublin 8, DO8 KT61 – Tel:
01 524 0160): Food, Medical Services, Advice and Information.
Open Monday – Friday (08:00 – 19:15) and Sunday (09:00 – 10:00, 11:00 – 13:30) – see mqi.ie for details
*Christmas Hours: Christmas Eve (08:00 – 14:00), Christmas Day (closed), Stephens Day (09:00 – 14:00), New Year’s Eve (08:00 – 14:00), and New Year’s Day (09:00 – 14:00) - Capuchin Day Centre (29 Bow Street, Dublin DO7 FC78 – Tel: 01 872 0770): Food, and Medical Services. Open Monday – Saturday 08:00 – 15:30. *Closed on Christmas Day
- Free Christmas Day Dinner at the RDS: Hosted annually by the Knights of St Columbanus on Wednesday, 25 December from 10:30 – 13:00. Click here for full details, including free shuttle bus pickup locations
Emotional Support
While the holidays can certainly be a time of joy and celebration, they can also be incredibly challenging for many. Be sure to look after your mental and physical health throughout this and every season. If you are seeking support, our pages on minding yourself abroad and wellbeing upon return list mental health resources available to the Global Irish community. You can also read our mental health blog for additional tips and information.
If you need urgent assistance, please contact your local emergency services (call 112 or 999 in Ireland). The HSE website lists additional Irish-based emergency resources here. The Department of Foreign Affairs provides information on mental health and travel for Irish abroad here.
