A silent candle lit vigil has taken place tonight in Kinvara in Co Galway to mark the UN International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
Dozens of people gathered on the quay against the backdrop of Dunguaire Castle lit up in the colours of the Palestinian flag.
A light installation spelled out the words 'WE SEE YOU' on the hill of the castle and visible from the air.
Vicky Donnelly is one of the organisers.
"We are a small community making a peaceful show of friendship and solidarity with a people who are struggling.
"It is not the first time this small village with a population of around 1,500 people have taken a stance.
"During the Israeli war in Gaza in the summer of 2014, the people of Kinvara, businesses and consumers took a collective stand against Israeli actions in Gaza, by pledging to support the growing boycott movement (known as BDS - Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) against the state of Israel.
"They removed Israeli goods from their shops and restaurants and made international headlines by becoming the first and only Irish town to take this type of collective action, prompting the Palestinian ambassador to Ireland at the time, Ahmed Abdelrazek, to visit the south Galway village to thank the community"
A few years later a group of children from Gaza were invited to play a football match in the village.
"That day in 2017 was a special day for us all in the village", remembers John Griffin, who helped organise the event.
"Here in Kinvara we're a small community with a strong voice. Together, we can send a strong message that a bombing campaign that contravenes international law and kills so many innocent civilians must stop."
Singer-songwriter Declan O'Rourke lives in Kinvara and attended the vigil.
"On this special day, we want to say to our brothers and sisters who are suffering that 'we see you’, and we will not turn our eyes away from this catastrophic time in the Middle East," he said.
Members of the Palestinian community were special guests at the vigil, which is followed by live music and a celebration of Palestinian food and culture in the Pier Head restaurant on the Quay.
The Kinvara vigil follows a weekend of special events in Galway including a gathering at the Claddagh Quay when the Galway Palestine Solidarity Campaign teamed up with the Claddagh boatmen.
A number of Galway Hookers were lit up in solidarity with the people of Palestine as part of a light art installation.
Crowds assembled all along the quay and flew their flags in the cold as the sun set over Galway Bay.
Palestinian and Irish artists came together including Roisin El Cheriff, Hala Jaber and Katie O'Connor.
