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One Star at a Time: ATU Unites Against Domestic Violence
ATU Joins Global One Million Stars Initiative with ‘LOVE’ Installation and Star Weaving Workshops Across Campuses.
Atlantic Technological University (ATU) is proud to take part in the Irish One Million Stars initiative, a global community arts project that promotes hope, courage, and solidarity in the face of domestic violence and coercive control.
In collaboration with Donegal Volunteer Centre and Donegal County Council, ATU will host the striking ‘LOVE’ installation on its Letterkenny campus, while also rolling out a series of star weaving workshops on multiple campuses.
Amber’s One Million Stars Ireland project is part of the international One Billion Stars initiative, originally founded in Australia in 2012. This initiative invites individuals and communities across Ireland to weave eight-pointed stars as symbols of light, resilience, and unity. These stars are then gathered into public art installations that advocate for a safer and more compassionate society.
Throughout March and April, ATU students and staff will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on star weaving workshops, collectively contributing hundreds of handwoven stars to the initiative. These workshops foster creativity, connection, and reflection on the role individuals and institutions can play in promoting positive change.
Since August 2023, Donegal Volunteer Centre has been leading the initiative in Donegal, becoming the first organisation to introduce the project to the region. Since then, Women’s Collective Ireland and Donegal Domestic Violence Service have also joined the movement. To date, 14,020 stars have been woven in Donegal, contributing to the 500,000 stars woven nationally over the past five years. The initiative has been embraced across the county, particularly in rural areas where volunteer opportunities can be limited. In 2024 alone, Donegal Volunteer Centre volunteers wove 10,000 stars to create unique installations, which were showcased in partnership with the Donegal Arts Service in Letterkenny, Buncrana, Lifford, and Bundoran.
“The LOVE installation is more than just an art exhibition – it is a powerful symbol of unity across Ireland, standing together against violence”, says Roksana Oliinyk, Volunteer Support Officer with Donegal Volunteer Centre. John Curran, Manager of Donegal Volunteer Centre, says the organisation is “incredibly proud to work with our partners to bring this initiative to Donegal and to see all sectors of the community come together to weave stars and support such an important cause.
Dr Orla Flynn, President of ATU, expressed her pride in the university’s participation, acknowledging the key collaborators that helped bring the installation to ATU: “ATU is honoured to support the One Million Stars initiative, a project that aligns with our values of inclusion, respect, and safety. The ‘LOVE’ installation and star weaving workshops offer our students and staff a meaningful way to connect through art while reinforcing our collective commitment to ending gender-based violence. We are deeply grateful to Donegal County Council, Donegal Volunteer Centre, and Amber Women’s Refuge in Kilkenny for their invaluable support in bringing this initiative to ATU. By working together, we can all play a role in building a society where everyone feels seen, valued, and safe.”
Dr Sharon McLaughlin, ATU EDI Manager in Donegal, highlighted the initiative’s significance in fostering inclusion: “The One Million Stars project is a powerful demonstration of what equity, diversity, and inclusion mean in action. At ATU, we are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels safe and respected, and this initiative brings that commitment to life. Each woven star represents connection and care, especially for those who have been silenced or marginalised by domestic violence and injustice. By coming together to engage in this creative collective action, we’re showing that EDI is not just a policy—it’s something we actively build, live, and stand for.”
Caitríona Gleeson, ATU Respect Manager, emphasised the initiative’s relevance in the context of domestic abuse in Ireland: “Domestic violence and coercive control remain deeply pervasive in Ireland, affecting individuals in every community including in ATU. Abusers often isolate victims, cutting them off from support and sources of hope. Creative initiatives like One Million Stars provide an accessible and powerful way to raise awareness, spark conversations, and visibly support those suffering in silence. These stars send a clear message: survivors are not alone—we see them, we support them, and we stand with them.”
ATU invites all staff and students to take part in the one-hour star weaving workshops in the coming weeks. For more information, contact respect@atu.ie.
Together, ATU, Donegal Volunteer Centre, and the One Million Stars initiative aim to inspire light, hope, and action—one star at a time.
