Introduction

Poland’s becoming a member of the European Union in 2004 led to a migration of young Polish workers to Great Britain and Ireland.

Seeking improved job prospects, they found these in sectors such as construction and hospitality. Some started up their own business. Today in Ireland’s society you will find a number of schools, shops, warehouses, restaurants and clubs all geared towards the Polish community.

Polish statistics for Ireland:

• Census figures in 2006 recorded 63,000 resident Poles in the Irish republic. However the figure today is estimated at around 200,000

• Poles make up 5% of the Irish population

• Poles in Ireland sent home almost €1 billion last year – that’s one fifth of all global transfers of cash back to Poland from overseas workers.

• The Polish community are significantly concentrated in Dublin with clusters in Cork, Limerick and Galway (Polish Embassy in Dublin)

• Around 50% of Poles would like to stay in Ireland while 18% would like to settle there (Polish Embassy in Dublin)