The Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this weekend, will be the only charity officially present at the Dún Laoghaire Festival of World Cultures, writes Hélène Hofman.
About 30 puppy walkers, guide dog walkers and owners will be involved in fundraising with their dogs during the three-day festival.
The Dún Laoghaire branch of the organisation is the most active in the country, raising about €100,000 a year through various events. This is the first time it has been involved in the festival.
All funds go to the national guide dog training centre in Cork, which offers guide dog training and mobility courses using long canes.
It also runs an independent living skills programme for the blind, introduced last year.
The cost of training a guide dog from puppyhood is about €35,000. About 80 per cent of funds comes from local branches.