The first Syrian refugees to arrive in Ireland are being housed in the empty Hazel Hotel in Monasterevin, Co Kildare.
Four families are currently living there, with hundreds more expected to arrive.
It comes as the Government has signed off on a plan to accept 4,000 refugees under a new protection programme.
The figure does not include other members of refugees' families who may be brought to Ireland later.
The scheme will cost around €12m per year, for every 1,000 refugees housed in Ireland.
Local people have been turning up at the hotel to offer their help and support.
This woman, Dolores, says the photo of the young Syrian boy who drowned trying to make the journey from Turkey to the Greek island of Kos, forced her to act.
"I was a Montessori teacher - if there's children coming I would love to sit and play with them for a while, do something practical" she said.
"Or if they'd like to be shown around the town or go have a cup of coffee - if I can do anything of a practical nature" she added.
Newstalk Breakfast's Kieran Cuddihy has been there, and sent this report.
