Posted on 08/16/2006 10:46:10 AM PDT by lizol
Ireland – a Polish home from home
Even in the most distant parts of Ireland, a country which opened its labour market for new EU citizens only 2 years ago, any Pole will feel at home.
Iwona Lajmen reports
The streets, shops and offices are full of Polish people passing by, opening their businesses or assisting other Poles to help them order a coffee in Polish. This is how numerous Polish immigrants have made their way into a country on the other end of the European Community.
Ireland, one of the few countries which decided to open itself to all EU communities, claims it has taken one of the best decisions ever. When the Celtic Tiger develops and its people get better off there are still too few hands to work. Especially that this island is not among the most densely populated. Out of the 4 million Irish living there now every 10th is an immigrant. According to official statistics about 150 thousand of them are Poles, mainly coming for two or five years, just to make the money to have an easier start back at home. 'I had a job and my boyfriend had one too. I worked in an Atlantic shop with underwear and earned 300 euros a month, now I make 350 a week, so that's a big difference.'
'Yes, it's hard work, but not as much as people think... I guess here's the same like in Poland... not so different, but I still miss the family.'
Like many other young and dynamic Poles in their 20s Karolina followed her boyfriend all the way to Dublin. Now, working in Mc Donald’s and living with several other people in one apartment, she looks very positively into her future:
'I didn't plan this trip... I graduated in 2004. I had some friends here, so it wasn't so bad at the beginning. I applied for a few jobs and still being in Poland had three interviews. Then I came here straight away and had a job after three days.'
It’s not a secret that most of the hands are needed at construction sites and this is where Przemek found his work just within a week after he arrived in Dublin in June this year. Having spent 2 years in the same job in Germany, whose labour market is still closed, he says, that even if he’s further away from home now he feels, in a way, nearer to Poland in Ireland.
Many Polish people intending to emigrate that far away start searching for jobs while still in Poland before they leave. That’s what Szymon did around May 2004. Now he’s changed his job twice climbing up his chosen professional ladder in administration:
Far away from home, having a job, good money, and the craic, (or having fun in Irish) - this is what Marzena and Wojtek do. Running their own graphic company they have come up with the idea of publishing a free guide to Polish speaking places in Dublin, which they distribute at the airport and in the streets. Apart from that, they also edit an ad magazine Anons.ie, which helps those who are making their first steps in Ireland to find their way. Since still not all Polish emigrants speak English, it’s one of the first things they grab to survive, says marrzena Smousz.
'Today we have the second issue. It's every Monday in shops and we really think Poles need it. Yesterday we received a postcard from a guy in Cork who wrote down "Thanks Anons.ie!! I found a job!!"
Before EU enlargement hardly any of the Irish heard anything about Poland. Now the two nations work together and many a times live next door, getting to know each other better and showing a lot of understanding for - all together - similar traditions, religion and history. Even this elderly woman who coincidently stopped by in the street has an opinion about a country at the other end of the EU:
'I think they are very nice. And I listened to Radio4, which is an English radio station, the other day. They were saying that Polish work very hard, they are well respected for whatever work they do -they do it very well. And they are well respected in England and here.'
10 years ago it would have been unprecedented in Ireland, now it’s happening. A fully homogeneous Irish society has opened themselves for foreigners and it seems that Poles have found a common ground and language.
I know, IRA shills hijacked the thread - I can't just stand by and watch them peddle their lies.
Anyway, glad you enjoyed your stay here! :)
"Carrantuohill" rules!
Back on topic: Irish and Polish are a good mix. I am 5/8ths Irish (counting only the green fraction), and my wife is 3/4th Polish. Our boys are beautiful.
Methinks the Poles will intermarry and assimilate as did the Spanish, Normans, Welsh, Danes, Norwegians, Phonecians, Milesians, Tuatha de Danaan, Firbolgs, Formorians, etc -- and that Ireland will be better off for it. If only they can keep the Moslems out. Slan leat.
Oops, forgot the Cruithini (Picts)....
That's ok, I'm more concerned with that kellynla poster - he has been propagating his Sinn Fein nonsense for a long time!
I believe you are right - Poles and Paddies will mix well! Ireland is the original melting pot! :)
If only they can keep the Moslems out.
True - anyone but the R.O.P.!
Slan leat.
Slan leat agus go raigh maith agat. :)
The Picts - we were foriegn invaders taking their land! ;)
Check #10. You will have to eat that twice a day.
What has that to do with Bloody Sunday?
Eat plantations? ;)
I think that stat is usually meant to include the 10 million+ who live in and around the city.
Thank you vox_pl. For this girl with Irish grandparents I'm glad to see someone see's it like I do.
Britain is a democracy, not a communist dictatorship - as Wideawake pointed out - the IRA used the demonstrators as human sheilds on Bloody Sunday.
Northern Ireland as a majority that wishes to remain part of the United Kingdom
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