As everybody can see, Ireland is full of Polish people. This is our promised land and we have our exodus. I am afraid Irish government and Irish people didn’t expect such big immigration. Hopefully all Irish people I have met so far had good attitude to Poles despite some bad experiences they had as well. Today the Polish community in Ireland probably counts more than 300 thousands immigrants, and I won’t be surprised if it occurs much higher after the national register day.
The level of culture and education among Polish fellows is varied. Of course I met some nice people that were wiling to chat and they were helpful, but most of the Poles (at least in Carlow) are not interested in keeping any relations or contacts with other Polish emigrants, thus you can walk on the streets hearing only Polish language, but people don’t create something like real community. There are some attempts to socialize groups from the same towns or areas of Dublin or Cork, but usually these attempts fail. It is clearly visible on Polish internet forums for community in Ireland. Threads about meetings, socialisation, usually remain without any answers. There is some exception like two Polish soccer teams, some Polish clubs and pubs in Dublin, but probably the only one thing that attracts and gathers large number of Poles in one place at the same time is concert of a Polish band.
Here in Carlow Polish immigrants are easy recognisable. Among Polish people there is a common image of Polish immigrant – a man with moustache carrying Tesco plastic bag full of Tesco value products and his wallet in the bottom of it unless he is carrying his small rucksack. Though it doesn’t fit the real image I have no problem to recognise Polish people on the streets. They wear in a different fashion than Irish people. Sometimes they look better sometimes worse than Irish people. Although the population of Poles in Carlow counts about 2 thousands (it is just a rumour) of immigrants there is nothing like community or mutual aid society. People avoid themselves and treat as a potential threat and rivals in the fight for work. I must admit and I am sad about that is our national character. Albeit we are Catholics we usually don’t care (of course there are many exceptions) about fellows of our nation. After 40 years of communism we are giddy and mean, especially when we can get more money than in Poland. We don’t have something like national discipline and we are not taught to help each other, unless it is profitable. Those national characters are usually hidden to the eyes of other nations, because of lack of understanding of Polish language. Usually we are recognisable as a quite good workers, and fellows, especially by Irish people, though it is changing now, and the number of bad experiences is growing. It must be puzzling that there is commonly known advice among Polish emigrants: “don’t trust other Poles”.
My first bad experience with Poles took place on the very first day in Carlow. Since I rent my room from Michele before I had come to Ireland I installed quite fast and connected to internet. After short conversation with my wife (she is in Poland) I tried to find some Poles in Carlow using our Polish instant communicator (gadugadu). I had found some people online then I started to chat with them. I asked about some nice pubs in Carlow, and about a place where I could meet some Poles, but the answers were very rude and aggressive in a way of “fuck off”, “You have just arrived and you have Internet?”, “fuck off, you’d better to drink at home”, “do you have a job, if yes then how high is your salary?”. For 10 attempts to chat with other Poles in Carlow, 9 of them failed.
The second one was at the same day. I went to see a castle in Carlow (which is nice), but I was surprised much when I discovered in the castle yard a plenty of broken Polish beer bottles. I was much embraced and I felt very bad. In those situations I regret that I am Polish.
The next bad experience took place in Dublin bus station, where you can meet plenty of Polish emigrants. The day I found myself at the bus station there was a group of mid aged very rude and laud Poles. They behaved very aggressive with no respect to other travellers and they were very excited and acting to be smart and brave as if they were rich conquerors of poor Ireland inhabited by dumb Irish people. Unfortunately among some Poles there is common opinion about Irish, that they are (You are) bad educated dumb people. That is also our national character. We are - The Poles – a chosen nation by God, we are the most strong, most clever, and the best nation in the world. So don’t have any illusions, we don’t appreciate your hospitality. Actually you should thank us that we came to your country. That is kind of common thoughts of many people. Unfortunately…
Of course not all Poles are like that. For thousands of us the dream about Ireland has came true finally. There is also many people who are just a good workers. They came to Ireland because of Polish economical and political crisis, and they came to Ireland not because of its beauty but because of good money, and that is ok as well.
I can write many more bad and bitter words about Polish immigrants and completely scattered and divided community in Ireland, but as I wrote above, not all people are like that.
hi. i just want to say, that Poles are very friendly and nice.. but maybe you met those a few, who aren’t..
i want to apologize about my nationals..
Hello MacKozer,
I found your post very interesting. Thank you for taking the time to write it.
Are there really 300,000 Poles in Ireland?!! That’s almost 1 in 10 of the Irish population - imagine what another 5-10 years of immigration will do… Ireland’s whole character will change. However, despite this unprecedented level of immigration, I am very optimistic about the future. This is for two reasons:
1) Poland’s economy will improve over the coming years and unemployment is sure to be reduced. Spending on public infrastructure will increase and as the basic quality of life improves, more Poles will stay in their home land.
2) The Poles that DO stay in Ireland will gradually become assimilated and integrated within the Irish population. Best of all, their children will grow up speaking fluent English and will have a strong connection to Ireland - whilst remembering their Polish roots of course.
In the end, we’ll end up with a stronger
Poland and a new generation of Irish children - virtually indistinguishable from the indigenous population. In other words, everyone wins!
If I had a choice between accepting 300,000 Poles or 300,000 Muslim immigrants, I know which one I’d choose (lol).
All the best for 2007!
I would Choose 300,000 Muslims Or Arab Immigrants than choosing Poles. The poles are difficult people to communicate with them. They are bitter & unfriendly. They lived under communisit rigime for the last 50 years. These people are Hungry cannot be trusted. Irish People needs to think about this European Union & what damages will it effect their Economy & loss Of jobs!!!!
heh… and you are an expert about Poles in Ireland being in United Emirates?
There would be something completely different thing that would devastating the Irish economy… if the emigrants would leave Ireland instantly.
Explain to me why there is still a hundreds of jobs adverts in the newspapers?
I could reply you in the same rasist fashion as you did in your comment: those 300,000 Muslims would blow up themselves together with Ireland, eventually.
Having read what you wrote there. I can understand your view coming from a Polish perspective. Now see it from an Irish perspective. This is how i see them in my town Dundalk, Co. Louth. They all shop at Aldi lol. Even my next door Neighbors are polish,it not just the Polish people the Lithuanians and lativans are the same. Cold distant people.
Maybe it something to do with coming from former communist countries. They never smile. My Polish Neighbors called Magda came to the front door to ask my mother if she would mind her child, one day because she and the husband had to work. Now these people wouldn’t look at us or smile when we pass them everyday, or see them in the back garden. Another image of Poles is coming out of off licences with beer cans.
The bad press of the Polish man who attacked radio researcher in Dublin.
I totally understand why some people are frustrated with Polish people . I am Polish myself ,escaped from Poland in 1980 , spent almost one year in Traiskirchen Lager. I always lied about where I was from , because Poles were behaving so badly .Loud , abnoxious behaving like no refugee looking for better life should . After almost 30 years in America , I tried to chat on some Polish chat lines .What a mistake !!! I was called names , was told to f off etc . Ofcourse not everyone of us is like that , but lots of us seem to forget , that if you are in a foreign country , we should respect the locals .Blending with the people is great , but loudness , drunkenness , etc puts us in really bad light .I’ve noticed the same during my travels to Sweden in the late 70’s.
Hi everyone -
To be honest i had a positive feeling with the Poles until i started dating one. I know this could have happened also if she was irish - but it left a bad taste in my mouth.
For starters i started getting abusive phone calls from some guy claming that i had “stolen his Mott” - classy - she denied everything - although she had gone on a 1 month holiday with him to the phillipines (we had been together 1 month at this stage) and for some reason i trusted her. Anywho - i soon got sick of these calls - and the seeds of distrust were sowen. so we are together bout 6 months and she gets pregnant - dissapears back to poland and then contacts me as soon as the baby is born looking for maintenance…
When i spoke to her on the phone and made an offer - she said “thats not enough” - my cousin is getting such and such…looks like they have some kindof a family thing setup to get pregant and start claiming maintenance. Anyway to cut a long story short - i told her “i am not dumb irish man - contary to what you may think” - take it or leave it. I may have meandered away from the subject here - for that i apologise, had to get this off my chest - thanks for reading!
Hello!
I am polish woman and I’m writing from POLAND.
I am often in Ireland, for holiday, sometimes for longer and I have good opinion about that country, even sometimes I had not so nice suprices… but anyway…when Poland will change zloty for euro, polish people will come back home I think, as economist.
Don’t worry about that answer on gadu-gadu, there are often not mature, stupid people;), who can not say ” sorry, I don’t have time now or I don’t know U”, probbably not every Irish man would like to talk with me to… some people are rude from nature, but that is world and everywhere U can find them, I think.
Nice to read something about us from U, I would like let U see better Poland:)
I think polish people work hard in Ireland, from my point of view.
Greetings.
Anna
i live in ireland and have lots of polish friends and had 4 boyfriends from poland and my pole mates are sound and really nice you just have to get to know them as they say ”dont judge a book by its cover”..believe me there not so bad!!
any relevernt information on wheather polish would appreciate learning hte irish language of gaeilge…any opinions should be posted on this page!!!:):):):0
I don’t think Polish people will be interested in Irish language unless if there is some money involved. They are interested in a job or a guy who can pay for their pints etc… What you talking about
Patrick, you say ’she got pregnant’ BUT…. not on her own!!! SO, pleae show some respect to the mother of your child. My view is that you should be so ashamed, Consider how you might actually be part of your childs life. It is not all about you, you know. There is now a new life and that child will need to know who its father is. Anyway good luck to you and please remember it makes no difference whether a girl is Polish or Irish respect is everything.
What a disapointment after your Polish-Irish forum initiative!
Fueling this type of image you presented does make no sense - the local - Irish - population in its majority agrees with it already. If you can not change things or are not willing to try please at least do not make things worse.
What did you achieve saying: I am Polish and I am telling ye mates, we are s**t? What will our hosts think now? Well, they must be very bad if they say thinks like that about themselves. Nobody will divide us to Good MacKozer and the Bad Rest of the Poles. Complaining at us does not make you better, remember that.
If you do not like something in our community, try to change it instead of s**ting on your own feet.
Andrzej…
First of all… read my entire blog then you can judghe me.
In my opinion more disappointing is commenting the post that is 2 years old and judging me only after reading that one post not a whole blog. Also you seem to prefer to keep things being taboos than changing them.
As for changing people in Carlow… you should read my blog than giving me “good advices”… browse to carlow.pl first…
Think twice… that is my advice to you
Regards
Hi
Im Spanish, now I’m living in Dublin, i just have to say the polish people are nice people most of my friends in Ireland are polish, just they don’t like stupid people, they r close people but when they know you they are really nice people, i know are lots of poles in Ireland and uk but that doesn’t affect the economy and society of any country thats good for Poland and the EU coz some day they r gonna have the euro and the Europe union will be better, just remember, in the 1800s how many irish people emigrated to America? Now Ireland is a good nation, don’t be egoist please!
K your only hope is to become Irish, but even for you this may never be possible now. The idea of Polish assimilation in to Irish culture is a closed book, trust me, most people see the Polish as “whiggers” now. None of ye have the first clue about Irish culture, trust me when i say the Polish adventure in Ireland is as good as over.
Edd
K these are my last words to you, u gotta stop thinkin so much bout things, tell ur bran to shut the fuck up and to let you join the party, Que sera sera. your the only Polish guy i met who has a real shot at this island life, trust me.
as an american who lives in ireland, i might share my own point of view.
the polish that i meet here are far more sincere than the irish. many immigrate here & find themselves without irish friends, even after years of having tried to reach out to the irish. many immigrants agree that the irish pretend to be friendly, or are friendly with one another, yet extremely cold toward the immigrant population.
as an american, i’m never viewed as an immigrant by the irish, so i’m rewarded by being privy to their remarks about the Polish. their comments are down right ignorant & racist.
i should also point out what a Polish friend of mine has made clear. there are some good Polish people that have emigrated to Poland, but there are also many bad as well. these are those that make you feel ashamed. just don’t forget that people are people.
I worked second years in ireland and i wiil back to poland ,i never back here again to ireland,first question who is agresive polish or irish-not answer… The last my job was crazy i feeled discrimination i feeled like shit not human -all time boss told me # you are chicken ,you have not brain, you are stupid , fuck off self and more bad things#, well i have not choice i am back to home he did not pay me period -1 weeks .
My first job in ireland was same #it was last year #i worked 7 month and finished -critical moment - to much agresive # every day vulgarizm,i feeled like monkey#he did not pay me -period 2 weeks# my opinion is one polish is shit but irish the best on the world.
I leaved- no comment,I hope may be next generation irish will work in poland-imigration is lovely…
PLEASE NO MORE POLISH IN IRELAND DO U SEE IRISH IN POLAND U TAKE ALL FROM OUR CULTURE TO OUR JOBS LIKE INSECTS U FEED OFF THE VERY LAND THAT HAS DRIVEN US U BRING PROSTITUTION AND BAD ETHICS TO THE HUMBLE COUNTRY OF EIRE WHY US WHY !!
IT IS SAD THAT IRELAND OPENS ITS ARMS ONLY TO BE POUNDED BY THE INFLUX OF POLISH
SO SAD WHY US PLEASE GO HOME! THIS IS OUR HOME WE DID NOT ASK FOR YOU OR YOUR LANGUAGE ;((((
You cant blame immigrants for behaving like immigrants, blame the greedy Irish upper class’s who are exploiting them at our expense.
A Chara,
I have posted here on two other occasions and stated my case that the problem is not the nationality of the immigrant but the quantity and lack of control. The Polish make no effort to integrate. They are generally abrupt, loud and show no respect for the country that allowed them to pour in. They spend little and want everything for nothing. They dont mix with the irish , they dont join any sports clubs or get involved in any community projects. They drive banged up old cars, with no insurance or tax and give false address’s and they use the old “no speak english” when it suits them. They have our rivers cleaned of fish, the list goes on. The sooner that most of them go back to Poland, the better for Ireland. We need to keep our culture and our “irishism”. And to you Fernando, dont come that crap about all the irish going to America. we did not emmigrate in such vast numbers. The influx of Polish to Ireland as a percentage is in the region of 15 percent of our population as stated by a goverment minister in a period of 5 years. The population of Spain is approx 40million, so a similar influx to Spain would equate to 6 million Poles arriving in Spain in a 5 year period. Do you think the Spanish people would accept this or would the Polish accept this in their country. I dont think so. To compare the irish going to america would be the equivalent of 30 million Irish arriving in a 5 year period. As I stated before I have no problem with anyone coming to work in Ireland but it must be regulated. The open door policy is a disaster. i am tired of going into shops, restaurants, hotels etc. and having to speak slowly to get something and feeling like an alien in my own country. Our great-grandparents and grandparents sacrificed a lot including their blood for the freedom of this country only now for us to give it away to europe and the poles.
Our nation is not even 100 years old yet. I’m proud of my country and agree with most of the comments by “NATIONALIST” above. Are we a racist nation ? of course we are and have been so for 800 years. We also must protect our future and our jobs. Our college students cant get any summer work because of the polish. We are afraid to ask for a payrise incase we are replaced by polish. Why should we pay allowances for children in Poland? Things are going to have to change in Ireland our we will be over run by Polish and other eastern europeans, what do we owe them ?
I am sick and tired of listening to the “do-gooders”.
On a final note I can only say that the sooner they all go back the better.
Slán and God save Ireland.
Roger I have to say I agree completely with your comments, it is the sad truth and unfortunately the odd good Pole Like Krystian is tarred with the same brush, and to back u up there, all the bleedin heart liberals wud do well to remember a lot of the Irish were pelted with stones when they arrived in Ellis island. Roger I would suggest looking at organizations such as the Immigration control platform (ICP) The book must be closed and more importantly the Irish business’s who exploited the situation recorded for their apathy towards their own people.
Well, it looks like you are all having a hard time..
It’s quite painful to hear all the negative comments.I’m polish myself. I,ve been here for 3 years. I’m studying at UCC in Cork and cannot imagine living in Poland. Ireland is my home now. I have lots of Irish friends too! and we get on great!!! I have never been insulted or treated badly by the Irish. Quite the opposite.
I understand your concern and dissatisfaction though. Most of the polish who come to Ireland are only looking for quick money, they dont speak English (dont even try to learn) and do not blend with Irish communities. I am angry and disappointed about it too! as it dosnt serve anyone!!!!
But please, people, since we live here together please lets not make it harder for ourselves. Hostility and anger only brings hostility and anger!! Do you really want it? I dont. Lets think how improve things and maybe do something instead of sitting down and complaining! I’m doing my best here!!!! why woudnt you? If you reject us we wont feel encouraged to socialize at all!!! I know its very simplistic picture I’m presenting here but there is a lot of truth in it. So maybe lets drop our nationalistic prides and prejudice and lets do something for the good of us all!! All the best and good luck J.
Hi,
I’m neither Irish nor Polish, neverthelles this issue seems to be very interesting to me.
First, Ireland has never been imigrant country, and now it’s been faced with many Polish newcomers.
On the other hand, I know that polish nation has been known as the “nation of emmigrants”, due to some historical reasons.
I thought that catholicism will be more cohesive factor than it is, but it seems that your own religion is more connected to some other aspects (nation, region, native “enemies” and so).
But really, I don’t see much of common interests between those two nations, and the goals seem to be quite different:
domestic people are afraid to loose something, while visitors have their own interests, to earn as much money as possible and go back to their country.
Enough philosophy from me for tonight.
Immigration. Its a tough one. I am English, and often visit Ireland. I have heard many Irish people complain about emigrants, in much the same vein as my old nan used to speak about the Irish in England. Only the law prevents a “NINA” situation for the Poles in the UK and Ireland.
I think the Irish should be proud to have a country that people want to come to.
Yes Changeling we are proud, but its a country we want people to understand well enough to stay in, however the Polish have made no effort other than a minority such as Justyna who despite her rhetoric who will find it difficult if not impossible to ever gain acceptance in Ireland. A no vote to Lisbon is a no vote to Europe, just to reiterate, the problem is not migrant workers the problem is greedy irish industrialists who exploit them at ordinary irish peoples expense
Eddie
After a bit of investigation in to the business of ICP (the immigration control platform) i have to say well….im still laughing my ass off, basically its one weird bitter old woman by the name of Aine Ni Chonnail posing as a whole organization, its basically a poor business idea in disguise feeding off the ignorance and scaremongering of the dumber Irish with more money than brains. These organizations are exactly what i mean when i say some Irish business has exploited immigration at the expense of ordinary decent Irish people
Hey Krystian are you going to have a story on your blog about Woychiech Kasprzak, the man who brutally raped a woman in Mayo? I would love to know who the Limerick flooring company is that employed this animal, and why the Polish community are not doing more to oust these people and preserve the name of good Polish workers in Ireland, unfortunately it is them who will get blamed!