The Conference of the Isle held on 24th and 25th April 2008 is considered to be the most important housing events of the year and was attended by a list of high profile speakers from across Ireland and the UK, offering inter-jurisdictional comparisons on the most topical issues in the housing arena.

Prior to addressing the conference, the Lord Mayor Cllr Donal Counihan accompanied Margaret Ritchie, MLA, Minister for Social Development (Northern Ireland) and Mr Batt O’ keeffe, Minister for Housing, Urban Renewal and Developing Areas on a courtesy visit to the Cork Foyer. The Lord Mayor, Ministers and invited guests were given a tour of the facility by the Foyer Manager before they relaxed for coffee and pastries with Foyer residents.

The conference and visit provided the perfect mechanism to share best practice and discuss housing challenges that are common to both Ireland and the UK, whilst enhancing awareness of the Foyer concept.