If you’re a Polish expatriate living in Ireland, you’re certainly not the only one. At more than 120,000 strong, the Polish community in Ireland represents the largest grouping of foreign-born people in the country, even surpassing residents from the United Kingdom.
The reasons that Polish people move to Emerald Isle are myriad. Some move for work, others to study, and still more for family ties. No matter the reason, it is natural to feel homesick from time to time. If you’re hankering for the old country, here are some ways to reconnect with Poland online, without ever leaving your flat in Dublin.
Order a taste of home
If you’re Polish, you have probably experienced the occasional hankering for the classic culinary delights of home, be it pierogi, kielbasa, or golabki. While some Irish cities are becoming much better places to find quality Polish cooking, the right spots are few and far between. Fortunately, the internet has you covered. Using websites such as Polonez.ie or Mroz.ie, you can order all of the iconic dishes and ingredients of Poland right to your front door, with same-day delivery to boot. Keep this in mind the next time you cannot find a frozen pierogi that hits the right way.
Play the Polish Lotto
More so than many other European countries, the lottery is well a truly a national pastime in Poland. Around 60% of the entire population plays the Polish Lotto every single week, a figure that counts as one of the highest in Europe. Fortunately, you don’t need to be in Poland anymore to still put your numbers on. You can play the Polish Lotto from Ireland here, so that you never miss your shot at the jackpot.
Watch some Polish TV
Poland might not be known for its television outside of its borders, but that’s simply the loss of everyone else. In the past few years especially, the Polish TV and film industry has been going all-out to produce some truly world-class productions. Hold Tight, The Woods, 1983, and The Thaw are just some standout examples of Polish TV shows that are well and truly raising the bar. If you’re in Ireland and cannot access your favorite Polish telly, there is no need to worry. You can simply create your account for PolBox, a fully legal site that allows you to access the full range of Polish TV from your sofa in Ireland.
Source: Unsplash
Visit iconic Polish attractions
Maybe you’re missing some of the spaces that truly make Poland great. While the gorgeous sights of Warsaw, Krakow, Gdansk, and Poznan are only a quick Ryanair flight away, you don’t have to go that far. Nearly all of Poland’s most beloved historical sites can be visited via a virtual tour. You could take a digital stroll around the Warsaw Royal Castle, or pay a visit to the Poznan Market Hall, or spend an hour or two browsing the Renaissance art collection at Pszczyna Castle Museum. The choice is yours.
Even if you’re living in Ireland, home is only a click away.