Polish minority in Ireland
Encyclopedia
The Polish minority in the Republic of Ireland numbered approximately 63,276 according to 2006 census figures, making it the largest minority in the country excluding those born in the United Kingdom
. However, the census that year was believed by the government to have underestimated the number of Polish nationals, whose numbers may have been as high as 200,000. Since the 2008 economic downturn
, the number of Polish people in Ireland has seen a decline.
joined the European Union
in May 2004, Ireland
was one of just three existing EU members to open its borders and welcome Polish workers (the others being the United Kingdom
and Sweden
). Ireland quickly became a key destination for Poles wishing to work outside the country; in 2004 a website advertising Irish jobs in Polish
received over 170,000 hits in its first day. During the 2007 Polish general election, Polish parties campaigned in Ireland and three voting locations were set up; in Dublin, Cork
, and Limerick
.
Since the 2008 economic downturn
, the number of Polish people in Ireland has declined, with some reports suggesting that 30,000 were leaving Ireland per year, and the Central Statistics Office
reporting a decrease in the number of Polish people applying for PPS numbers
.
examination as is the case with all official languages of the European Union. The exam used is based on the paper of the European Baccalaureate
. In 2006, the Polish government announced their intention to open a Polish school in Dublin, offering the opportunity for students to follow the Polish national curriculum
, assuming they intend to return to Poland to live.
The large number of Poles in Ireland led to the provision of a number of media outlets catering to them. Newspapers include the Polska Gazeta and a section in Dublin's Evening Herald
entitled "Polski Herald". Dublin cable television channel, City Channel, also features a programme aimed at Poles in Ireland entitled Oto Polska (This is Poland).
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
. However, the census that year was believed by the government to have underestimated the number of Polish nationals, whose numbers may have been as high as 200,000. Since the 2008 economic downturn
2008–2011 Irish financial crisis
The 2008–2011 Irish financial crisis, which had stemmed from the financial crisis of 2008, is a major political and economic crisis in Ireland that is partly responsible for the country falling into recession for the first time since the 1980s...
, the number of Polish people in Ireland has seen a decline.
History
After PolandPoland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
joined the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
in May 2004, Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
was one of just three existing EU members to open its borders and welcome Polish workers (the others being the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
). Ireland quickly became a key destination for Poles wishing to work outside the country; in 2004 a website advertising Irish jobs in Polish
Polish language
Polish is a language of the Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages, used throughout Poland and by Polish minorities in other countries...
received over 170,000 hits in its first day. During the 2007 Polish general election, Polish parties campaigned in Ireland and three voting locations were set up; in Dublin, Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
, and Limerick
Limerick
Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the...
.
Since the 2008 economic downturn
2008–2011 Irish financial crisis
The 2008–2011 Irish financial crisis, which had stemmed from the financial crisis of 2008, is a major political and economic crisis in Ireland that is partly responsible for the country falling into recession for the first time since the 1980s...
, the number of Polish people in Ireland has declined, with some reports suggesting that 30,000 were leaving Ireland per year, and the Central Statistics Office
Central Statistics Office (Ireland)
The Central Statistics Office is the statistical agency responsible for the gathering of "information relating to economic, social and general activities and conditions" in Ireland, in particular the National Census which is held every five years. The office is answerable to the Taoiseach and has...
reporting a decrease in the number of Polish people applying for PPS numbers
Personal Public Service Number
The Personal Public Service Number is an identifier issued by Client Identity Services, Department of Social and Family Affairs on behalf of the Minister for Social and Family Affairs in Ireland....
.
Language and media
Polish, although not officially an established subject, can be taken as part of the Irish Leaving CertificateLeaving Certificate
The Leaving Certificate Examinations , commonly referred to as the Leaving Cert is the final examination in the Irish secondary school system. It takes a minimum of two years preparation, but an optional Transition Year means that for those students it takes place three years after the Junior...
examination as is the case with all official languages of the European Union. The exam used is based on the paper of the European Baccalaureate
European Baccalaureate
The European Baccalaureate is awarded to students who successfully managed to complete the final year exam at a European School. These are mainly attended by students whose parents work for a European Institution. There are currently 14 European Schools.This diploma should not be confused with...
. In 2006, the Polish government announced their intention to open a Polish school in Dublin, offering the opportunity for students to follow the Polish national curriculum
Education in Poland
Since changes made in 2009 Education in Poland starts at the age of five or six for the 0 class and six or seven years in the 1st class of primary school . It is compulsory that children do one year of formal education before entering 1st class at no later than 7 years of age...
, assuming they intend to return to Poland to live.
The large number of Poles in Ireland led to the provision of a number of media outlets catering to them. Newspapers include the Polska Gazeta and a section in Dublin's Evening Herald
Evening Herald
The Evening Herald is a mid-market tabloid evening newspaper published in Dublin, Ireland by Independent News & Media. It is published Monday-Saturday, and has three editions — City Edition, City Final Edition and National Edition...
entitled "Polski Herald". Dublin cable television channel, City Channel, also features a programme aimed at Poles in Ireland entitled Oto Polska (This is Poland).
See also
- PoloniaPoloniaThe Polish diaspora refers to people of Polish origin who live outside Poland. The Polish diaspora is also known in modern Polish language as Polonia, which is the name for Poland in Latin and in many other Romance languages....
- Polish migration to the United Kingdom
- Irish-Polish relations