Polish Organizations in Ireland - Support for Poles on the Green Island

Poles in Ireland constitute one of the largest immigrant communities in the country. Since Poland joined the EU in 2004, the number of Poles on the Green Island has increased dramatically – Polish has even become the second most commonly used language in Ireland (after English). Although some compatriots have returned to Poland in recent years, still about 94 thousand Polish citizens live permanently in Ireland (1.82% of the country's population), making Poles the largest group of foreigners. Around this community, a rich support network has grown – from official institutions such as the embassy and consulates, to grassroots Polish organizations in Ireland: social, educational, cultural, and informational. Below we present an overview of the most important institutions and initiatives, both long-established and recently created, which help Poles find their way in the Irish reality.

Poles in Ireland – Community in Numbers

Despite the decline in emigration in recent years, Poles in Ireland still constitute a significant part of society. According to the April 2022 census, there were 93,680 Polish citizens in Ireland (23.5% less than in 2016). However, Poles remain the largest national minority – about 15% of the foreign population in the country. Interestingly, the number of people with both Polish and Irish citizenship is growing (over 17,000 in 2022, twice as many as in 2016) – some of them are children of Polish emigrants born on Irish soil.

Distribution of the Polish community. The largest concentrations of Polish immigrants are in large cities and regions: Dublin (the capital attracting the most Poles), Cork in the south, Limerick, and Galway. Polish organizations and initiatives are thriving in these centers. However, Poles have settled in all counties – Polish shops, construction companies, or services run by compatriots can be found even in smaller towns.

Language and culture. The Polish language has become an important element of multicultural Ireland. In the 2011 census, it was recognized as the most commonly used language in Ireland after English (Irish language was in third place). Poles cultivate their culture by organizing numerous events (from festivals, through concerts, to celebrations of Polish national holidays) and by participating in local initiatives – e.g., taking part in St. Patrick's Day parades or PolskaÉire integration festivals. The PolskaÉire Festival – an annual nationwide celebration of Polish-Irish friendship, held since 2015 with the participation of government and local partners – has become a symbol of Polish-Irish friendship. As part of this festival, cultural, sports, and social events with the participation of both communities are organized in various cities (Dublin, Cork, Limerick, and even smaller towns like Cobh or Gorey).

Official Support: Embassy of the Republic of Poland and Consulates

The most important official institution representing and supporting Polish citizens is the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Dublin. The mission was established in 1991, and its headquarters is currently located at 5 Ailesbury Road in the Ballsbridge district. The Embassy maintains a Consular Department, which assists Poles with passport, legal, and emergency matters throughout Ireland. If necessary, it provides consular care, issues documents, and also supports contacts with local authorities. Importantly, the ambassador and staff of the mission maintain close relations with the Polish community – they patronize Polish events, co-organize celebrations of national holidays (e.g., ceremonies on the occasion of the Constitution Day of May 3 at the Polish House in Dublin), and award grants for cultural and educational projects of the Polish community. For example, the Polish Embassy financially supported the activities of POSK and the maintenance of the Polish House in 2022 as part of the Polish diaspora program.

In addition to the embassy, there are also honorary consulates of the Republic of Poland in Ireland, facilitating contact with Polish diplomatic services in regions far from Dublin. Currently, there are two such points: in Limerick (serving Limerick and Clare counties) and in Kilkenny (serving a vast area including Kilkenny, Wexford, Carlow, Waterford, Tipperary, and Cork counties). Honorary consuls – local Irish authorities – help Poles in their regions, e.g., confirming documents, providing basic consular information, or supporting local Polish initiatives. Thanks to them, Poles from the south and west of the country do not have to travel to Dublin each time to handle the most urgent official matters.

Polish Education and Scouting in Ireland

A strong branch of Polish organizations in Ireland is the education sector – a network of Saturday schools (so-called Polish diaspora education) and scouting, which cultivate language, culture, and values among the young generation of Poles.

Polish education. As early as 2005, the first Polish School at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Dublin named after Janusz Korczak was established, offering free classes in Polish language, history, and geography for children of Polish immigrants. Over time, more branches of this school were created in the largest concentrations of the Polish community – in Cork, Limerick, Waterford, and Cavan – so that in 2011, a total of 5 such weekend learning centers were operating, attended by approx. 3,000 Polish children. Currently, these schools are under the Center for the Development of Polish Education Abroad (ORPEG) and still operate in the mentioned cities, providing children with free complementary education in Polish (a similar program is also implemented by the school in Cavan for families in the Ulster region).

Apart from embassy-affiliated institutions, grassroots educational initiatives have developed dynamically. According to data from 2019, there are over 46 Polish community schools in Ireland – established by associations or private individuals. These schools, often called Saturday schools, provide Polish immigrant children with knowledge about their native language and culture. Among the largest are the Polish SEN School in Dublin (providing a full cycle of education from preschool to high school) and the Razem Academy in Cork, which has several departments and has successfully combined in-person teaching with online education since 2015. The Razem Academy was founded by the Together-Razem Foundation and focuses on practical teaching of the Polish language and providing children with knowledge about Polish culture and traditions, without overburdening them with additional subjects. This school is registered in the ORPEG database (No. 7455) and supported by the Polish Embassy, which testifies to the quality of its program. The entire Polish education sector is integrated by the Polish Educational Society in Ireland – an umbrella organization bringing together Polish community schools in the country. Its goal is to support Polish education and lobby for equal rights of students of Polish origin to learn their mother tongue (including seeking financial support from Poland for all Polish schools). The Society cooperates with the Polish Embassy in Dublin and international organizations of the Polish educational community, such as the "Polish Community" Association or the Congress of Polish Education, to ensure high teaching standards and integration of the Polish teachers' community.

Scouting is another pillar of the Polish community in Ireland. Since 2011, the Polish Scouting Association outside the Country (ZHP PGK) has been operating here, covering a number of cities with its activities. Currently, under the "Bieszczady" Troop of ZHP in Ireland, scout troops and cub packs operate in 6 locations: Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Waterford, Wexford, and Shannon. In total, there are about 20 scout units, adapted to different age groups – from Sprites (children 4-7 years), through Cubs (7-11 years), Scouts (11-15 years) to Rovers (youth over 15 years). Polish scouts meet regularly, organize gatherings, bivouacs, and camps, teaching young people to work in groups, independence, and cultivating Polish traditions and patriotic values. Scouting activities enjoy great interest – parents appreciate that their children can make friends with peers of Polish origin in this way, while also joining the scouting community of Ireland. Polish scouts are also often involved in charitable and social actions – for example, during the pandemic, they organized help for seniors, and in 2022, they collected donations for refugees from Ukraine, showing the unity and generosity of Polish youth abroad.

Social and Cultural Polish Organizations

Apart from schools and scouting, a key role in integration and support is played by grassroots Polish organizations in Ireland – social associations, cultural clubs, help centers, or integration groups. They operate both in Dublin and in other cities, often completely voluntarily, out of passion and need of the heart. Below we present the most important ones in individual regions.

Dublin – Polish House and Cultural Life

The capital is a natural center of Polish community life, concentrating many initiatives. A historical organization is the Irish Polish Society, founded back in 1979 on the occasion of John Paul II's pilgrimage. This society has for decades promoted cultural cooperation and rapprochement between Poles and Irish, organizing meetings, readings, concerts, or film evenings in both languages. The headquarters of the Irish Polish Society is the Polish House at 20 Fitzwilliam Place in Dublin – a historic seat that has become a true home for many Polish initiatives. This building also houses the Polish Social and Cultural Center (POSK) in Dublin, formally established in the mid-2000s to manage the Polish House and coordinate community events. POSK hosts numerous celebrations and events – from the aforementioned celebrations of national holidays, through art exhibitions (e.g., an exhibition of works by Polish soldier-artist Stanisław Gliwa in May 2025), to author meetings, workshops, and dances. Both the Irish Polish Society and POSK strive for Poles in Ireland to be able to cultivate their culture while sharing it with Irish friends.

Another important entity in Dublin is Forum Polonia Ireland – a cooperation platform bringing together several dozen different Polish organizations and activists. Forum Polonia was created after 2004 to unite the community and give it a common voice. It implements many social and civic projects, and its mission is to act for the interests of the Polish diaspora in Ireland and support its involvement in Irish society. In practice, Forum organizes, among other things, training in political participation (e.g., campaigns encouraging Poles to participate in local and European elections), conferences of the Polish community (in 2024 in Dublin, a congress was held on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of migration after joining the EU), and conducts information activities integrating different groups (e.g., meetings for new emigrants, discussion panels with Irish decision-makers). Forum Polonia's vision is a diaspora that is influential and integrated culturally and civically, with its interests secured in Ireland. This federal initiative excellently shows that Poles can work together across divisions for the common good.

Dublin is also home to smaller associations and clubs that meet specific needs. For example, Biblary – Polish Library in Dublin is a community library run by volunteers, offering Polish book lending and organizing literary meetings for children and adults. There is also the Consultation and Therapeutic Center (CKU) in Dublin – a center providing counseling and psychological services for Poles struggling with difficulties (it helps, for example, people in crisis, victims of domestic violence, or addictions). CKU cooperates with local help centers in Dublin, such as the Walkinstown Greenhills Resource Center or CARP in Tallaght, to reach compatriots in need with professional support. As part of these initiatives, Poles can receive therapeutic help in their native language, which is invaluable in difficult life moments while living abroad.

In northern Dublin and the surrounding area, the Polonus Association is thriving – bringing together Poles from Balbriggan and nearby towns. The Polonus organization integrates the local Polish community through cultural and family events. Every year, the association engages Polish families to participate in the local St. Patrick's parade, organizes the traditional drowning of Marzanna (symbolic farewell to winter) or Andrzejki (St. Andrew's Day) parties for children, as well as talent competitions and holiday meetings. Such micro-initiatives make Poles feel part of the local community while maintaining their own customs.

Cork – Together-Razem and Other Initiatives in the South

The second largest center of the Polish community is Cork – a city in Munster, where several thousand Poles settled after 2004. The center of social life here has become the Together-Razem organization, founded in November 2006 as a non-profit with the aim of helping Poles in County Cork. Over the years, Together-Razem's activities have expanded throughout Ireland, becoming a unique organization offering comprehensive support, education, and integration for migrants from Central and Eastern Europe. In practice, the center runs a range of social and therapeutic services: legal and social counseling, translations, free psychological and therapeutic consultations (e.g., for people with depression or addictions), support groups (e.g., for Polish seniors in Cork or women experiencing violence), and integration courses (English language, job search workshops, etc.). Together-Razem also implements educational projects – e.g., the aforementioned Razem Academy for children or online courses. It is a public benefit organization and for nearly 20 years has helped thousands of Poles get on their feet in a foreign country, often working quietly where people need help the most. In recognition of this role, it is sometimes called the "Polish Caritas in Cork". Importantly, Together-Razem also integrates with the Irish community – for years, its representatives have participated in local intercultural initiatives. For example, every year they invite the Polish community to jointly participate in the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Cork, emphasizing the city's motto as the "City of Welcomes" and presenting Polish dance groups or sports teams among other Cork communities.

Alongside Together-Razem in Cork, there is the MyCork Association, which was created on the initiative of young Poles. For over a decade, MyCork has been organizing cultural and educational events – including Polish Culture Days, art competitions for children, charity actions (e.g., Polish Santa Claus for those in need), or business meetings for Polish entrepreneurs. The association also runs information portals and discussion groups, being an important source of local news for Polish residents of Cork.

Cork also has initiatives promoting reading and learning. ABC EduLibrary – Polish Library in Cork collects a rich collection of Polish literature and enables compatriots to access books in their native language, as well as organizes author meetings. Meanwhile, My Little Craft World is a project created by Polish cultural animators, offering art workshops for children in Cork – through art and craft activities, the youngest learn about Polish cities, traditions, and customs. This is an excellent way to instill Polish heritage in children through creative forms of play.

Other Polish Centers: Limerick, Galway, Longford...

The Polish community is present and active in other regions of Ireland as well, as evidenced by more associations and initiatives.

• Limerick: Since 2007, the annual Polish Arts Festival has been held here, initiated by a local Polish artist. The festival presents the achievements of Polish painters, musicians, photographers living in Ireland, and also invites artists from Poland. The event is open to all residents of Limerick and has gained a reputation as a colorful celebration of integration through art. Additionally, the Creative Thinking Club operates in Limerick – an organization promoting personal development and entrepreneurship among Poles (it conducts creativity workshops, coaching sessions, and networking meetings for Polish professionals).

• Galway: In university Galway, the Come2Gether Polish-Irish Association is thriving – a Polish-Irish association that organizes integration events (e.g., Polish stands during local festivals, joint celebrations of Independence Day and St. Patrick's Day) and runs an information point helping newly arrived Poles find their way in the city. Come2Gether is an example of partnership between our nations – both Poles and Irish people interested in Polish culture serve on the organization's board.

• Longford (Midlands): In central Ireland, Poles have gathered in the Midlands Polish Community initiative, operating mainly in Longford and the surrounding area. This organization focuses on integration through sports and recreation – it runs a Polish football team, organizes family picnics and trips, as well as information meetings (e.g., with the local Garda or representatives of local governments) facilitating Poles' participation in the life of the local community.

• Wexford: In County Wexford, the place of activity for the Polish community is the Polish Cultural Association Gorey.pl. In the town of Gorey, Poles have been cooperating with local authorities for years – in 2023, they organized an edition of the PolskaÉire festival there, engaging Irish neighbors in joint celebrations. The association also runs its own information portal gorey.pl, where it reports on local events and promotes Polish culture in the region in two languages.

• Wicklow: In Arklow, the Polish-Irish Educational Association (PIEA) was established, focusing on the education of Polish children in this area. It conducts Polish language classes for children and Polish culture courses, as well as integrates families through school celebrations and trips. Thanks to PIEA, even in smaller towns, Poles have the opportunity to send their children to Polish lessons and meet other compatriots.

The organizations mentioned are only part of a wide spectrum of Polish initiatives in Ireland. There are also Polish sports clubs (e.g., football teams Polonia Dublin and Polonia Cork, or groups of Poles playing amateur hurling and Gaelic football), choirs and folk ensembles (such as Inisowiacy in Ennis, presenting Polish folk dance at local festivals), as well as numerous parish groups at churches where regular Holy Masses in Polish are celebrated in a dozen or so Irish cities. You can even meet Polish scouts singing carols at Christmas markets or Polish stalls with pierogies at food fairs – all this is a testimony to the vibrant presence of the Polish community, which, while preserving its identity, enriches the multicultural landscape of Ireland.

Summary

Polish institutions and organizations in Ireland today create an extensive support network used by tens of thousands of compatriots. From help with official matters at the embassy, through Saturday schools teaching children the Polish alphabet, scout campfires where "Stokrotka" is sung, to integration festivals during which Polish sausage and pierogies win the hearts of the Irish – the Irish Polish community is active, visible, and well-organized. Polish organizations in Ireland not only help Poles in Ireland preserve their language, culture, and identity but also build bridges between our nations. Thanks to them, Poles on the Green Island feel that "they are not alone," and at the same time confidently become part of the colorful fabric of Irish society, adding their contribution to its development. It can be safely said that the Polish diaspora on the Emerald Isle has firmly taken root – and still flourishes, rich in initiatives and successes of subsequent generations.

Sources: official portal of the Polish Embassy in Dublin; reports and publications of the Polish community (Forum Polonia, Together-Razem); data from the Central Statistics Office for 2022 (cited by PAP); Wikipedia: Polish Community in Ireland, Polish Embassy in Dublin; and Polish online media.

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The number of Poles in Ireland has significantly decreased. Almost 21,000 left in six years - Bankier.pl https://www.bankier.pl/wiadomosc/Znaczaco-spadla-liczba-Polakow-w-Iralndii-W-ciagu-szesciu-lat-wyjechalo-prawie-21-tys-8550884.html

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