Like their friends and relatives back home, Polish people in Ireland have spent most May weekends enjoying the open air, whether it be on field trips, walking tours or religious pilgrimages.
And with so many young Polish couples starting their families here, it’s little wonder that many children are joining them in enjoying the country and the random spells of good weather.
Indeed, the organisers of the integration picnic bus tour in west Cork earlier this month were well prepared to handle the extra luggage that young children require.
A hired bus took the group around Michael Collins country – from Ballinascarthy to Bandon, Kinsale, Dunmanway and of course Clonakilty. Later on the children competed in various games on Inchidonney Strand, including the classic egg-and-spoon race, while on the bus home there was a chance for all to win cinema tickets in a ‘What melody is this?’ quiz.
The Cork picnic was organised under the label ‘Meetings with Ireland’ by MyCork and the Together–Razem Centre. Wojciech Bia?ek from Together-Razem says that the centre would like to organise another picnic, as well as a series of school field trips in September, but that these plans are dependent on funding.
Elsewhere, the first day of June – Children’s Day – is also surrounded by family events. In Dublin, the Polish Chaplaincy will host festivities on 31 May in the car park at St Audoen’s Church on High Street. Aside from attractions such as grilled food, face painting, lottery and music, children and their parents will have a chance to win prizes in various competitions.
Meanwhile, a group trip to Carlingford in Co Louth has been planned for the Bank Holiday on 1 June. Car owners have been asked in advance to volunteer to take additional passengers.
Without such good will, events like this could simply not happen.
