Rialto Community Network

Rialto Community Network is a community development project whose staff are based in St. Andrew’s since 2011 on behalf of Dublin South City Partnership. We work to address poverty disadvantage and social exclusion in this area of South West Dublin City. The organisation acts as a community resource to all residents and groups in combating these issues.​

Aims and Objectives of the Organisation

The emphasis of Rialto Community Network is specifically on disadvantage - it seeks to be a resource to the whole of Rialto. It acts as a community resource by being a channel of information/capacity building through ongoing support to the needs as they arise.

Mission Statement

Rialto Community Network was established to address poverty, disadvantage and social exclusion in the greater Rialto area. The organisation acts as a community resource whose core aims are to:

  • Assist existing organisations involved in social and community development in Rialto to improve and develop their capacity to plan, manage and operate new services and programmes

  • Facilitate more effective partnership and co-ordination of the various agencies, services and organisations operating in the Rialto area

  • Address issues of childcare, families at risk, drugs use, integration of new communities, work with older people unemployment and community policing in the Rialto area

  • Contribute to any other community development, education and training initiatives aiming to counter poverty in Rialto.

Linked / Support Organisations

Dublin South City Partnership is a local development company which addresses problems of disadvantage and social exclusion in Dublin South City which includes the wider Rialto community. The Partnership provides support and funding and employs two staff within Rialto Community Network.

Rialto Development Association is the overall project which runs the centre within which we are based. It runs the community centre and offers a range of services, projects and classes for the community.

Target groups of the organisation

Those affected by poverty and disadvantage in Rialto including: older people, new communities, lone parents, those affected by physical and social regeneration.

Activities of the Organisation

The main activities and groups which the Network is involved in on a day-to-day basis are:

  • Working with older/retired people to enable them combat loneliness, keep active and contribute their skills and knowledge to the wider community.

  • Supporting Ethnic minorities, through Canal Communities Against Racism, through Failte Isteach English language conversation classes and through Interfaith meetings

  • Dublin South City Partnership’s programme of work

  • Rialto Development Association’s community events programme

  • Supporting Rialto Men’s Social and Gardening Group.

  • Managing Dolphin Creche which caters for the community of Dolphin House and the surrounding areas

  • Supporting Dolphin Community Development Association

  • Supporting Rialto Day Care Centre

  • Providing a drop-in information service and support to local groups

Staff Profiles

Ann Swords

Ann Swords is Co-ordinator of Rialto Community Network.  In this role Ann oversees the work of the Network which encompasses the wider Rialto area and the Dolphin House Community Development Association.  Ann directs the work of the Network and Dolphin House with a focus on supporting staff teams to ensure the achievement of the overall vision of both projects, which is to work with and support the local community in building up community participation and involvement in their day to day concerns. Ann’s role is seconded from Dublin South City Partnership in their capacity as a Local Development Company for Dublin 8 and Dublin 12. Ann is also part of Canal Communities Against Racism, as well as helping out with the Dublin 8 Mosque.

Debbie Lynch

Debbie represents Rialto on a number of local structures such as the Dublin South City Partnership, Rialto Health Initiative, the Social Hub, Rialto Social Day Care management committee and Rialto Men's Social & Gardening Group to name but a few.

As part of Debbie's role she works very closely with senior citizens in Rialto. We operate an "Open Door" policy to the older people in the area who can drop in anytime if they require assistance with applications such as the medical card or just have general queries. We run a number of activities and outings (summer events, BBQ's, day trips etc.) for our clients throughout the year. Debbie also visits seniors who are referred by the various services for the security pendant. This involves a brief visit and completion of an application form. Her remit with seniors extends to Rathmines. Debbie is seconded by the Dublin South City Partnership to work in St. Andrew's.

Nicola Brady

Nicola Brady is employed as Administration Assistant within Dolphin House and Rialto Community Network. As well as carrying out day to day administration and office duties, Nicola’s work has a particular focus on keeping the community informed of what is happening locally and within the Network via Facebook and website updates.

Classes/Courses

Computer Classes

We are currently running Ecert for beginners and ECDL for more advanced. Classes are been held in Dolphin Protacabins. If you are interested in joining our classes please contact us on 01-473 2003

Failte Isteach Conversational English Classes

As Rialto becomes ever more multi-cultural, the importance of English Conversation classes grows more and more. We run informal, conversational English classes on Tuesday afternoons in St. Andrew’s.

STUDENTS: Come along and practice your English language skills in a fun, friendly atmosphere! Please note, for the safety of our tutors, it is a requirement that you must be Covid-19 vaccinated.

TUTORS: You do not need any previous teaching experience, just a willingness to help people gain confidence in speaking English. Class plans and back-up support are provided.

CLASSES: Conversational classes run every Tuesday from 3 – 4.30pm in St. Andrew’s Community Centre, Rialto, Dublin 8.

For further information on becoming a tutor, or if you know someone who might like to attend classes, call Ann on 01 - 473 2003.

Dolphin Creche

Dolphin Crèche is a community crèche based in Dolphin House, Rialto, Dublin 8. The crèche is situated in two flats within the flat complex so has a very central position within the community of Dolphin House. We cater for children aged between 18 months and 5 years. Dolphin Crèche provides quality, affordable, accessible childcare to parents living in the Dolphin House and surrounding areas. We are a sessional service providing 3 and a half hour of childcare per session. Currently our hours of operation are 9am until 12.45pm.

We are participants of ECCE (government funded free pre-school year available for all children) and CCS which allows low-income families to access support towards the cost of their child’s crèche place.

Rialto Community Network takes a lead role in the running of the crèche.

Rialto Men's Social & Gardening Group

The Rialto Men’s Social & Gardening Group meets weekly on Wednesday mornings in St. Andrews from 11am – 1pm.

The men tend the garden in the Centre as well as the Dolphin grotto. The group members hold great pride in the work that they do and have been awarded prizes for the beautiful garden that they maintain at St. Andrew’s Community Centre.

 For those who do not have green fingers there is also a very social aspect to the group who play pool and chat, while a selection of newspapers are also available to read. 

A healthy breakfast is provided weekly, with a tasty fry once a month!

The men look out for each other and encourage and support one another in a way that could never have been expected by the founders.

The group has evolved over time into a space which the men themselves truly own. They make plans, chair regular meetings, invite new members and forge links with other community groups in the area as well as far beyond it.

Contact Tony May for further information. To receive Tony's number, please contact the Community Network on 01-473 2003.

Rialto Active Retirement Association

The Rialto Active Retirement Association aims to encourage people of 55 and over to maintain their independence through social contact and sporting activities. The group also aims to promote a more positive attitude to aging and retiring. New members are always welcome.​

 Activities include:

  • Computers

  • Bowling

  • Line dancing

  • Old Time Dancing

  • Day trips

  • Overnight trips

 For more information contact: Debbie Lynch on 01-473 2003.

Contact Us

Rialto Community Network

468 South Circular Road

St. Andrew’s Community Centre

Rialto, Dublin 8

Our phone number: 01 -473 2003

Our email: annswords@rcn.ie (Ann Swords) or Debbielynch@rcn.ie (Debbie Lynch)