Greening a Polish City for St. Patrick’s Weekend: Sustainable Celebrations Await!

St. Patrick’s Day Parade Brings Irish Culture to Łódź, Poland

A vibrant festivity of Irish culture took place in Łódź, Poland, as over 300 people participated in a St. Patrick’s Day parade. The event, held on March 15, 2025, marked a highlight of a weekend-long festival showcasing irish food and traditions in the city.

from Galway to Łódź: A Cultural Bridge

The driving force behind the festival was Ivonka Kwiek, originally from Łódź, who has resided in County Galway for the past 10 years. Her initial exposure to Ireland came unexpectedly. “A friend invited me to Galway and I had never been to Ireland before,” kwiek explained.

The contrast between her hometown and the Irish city captivated her. “Łódź is like an industrial city and when I landed in Galway, I was so surprised by the vibe,” she recalled. “It was a little bit like a village, so colourful, the dancing and the culture. It was a different world.” This experience led her to relocate to Galway in 2015 to pursue work in the cultural sector after a second visit.

Kwiek, a cultural anthropologist, later moved to Indreabhán in the Gaeltacht. A chance meeting during a visit to Łódź sparked the idea to revitalize the ‘OFF to ireland Festival’ at the OFF Piotrkowska Center, a former cotton mill repurposed into a hub for restaurants and creative businesses.

Authentic Irish Flavors

Kwiek’s vision extended beyond superficial celebrations. “I’m living in Ireland and I thought I could help to make a real connection with Ireland, not only to serve green beer,” she stated. She collaborated with ‘A Taste of Galway’, ensuring that the festival featured genuine Irish cuisine. “All the restaurants are serving food from Ireland, not food inspired by Ireland,” Kwiek emphasized, with Galway Bay oysters, Connemara lamb and Irish cheese on the menu.

A Landmark Parade

The highlight of the festival was the inaugural St. patrick’s Day parade in Łódź. “There’s nothing more obvious than a parade so we thought let’s create the first Irish St Patrick’s parade in Łódź ever,” Kwiek said. This ambitious undertaking received support from Ireland’s Embassy in Poland, Łódź City Council, and Galway City Council, who served as honorary patrons.

Engaging the Community

organizers engaged local primary schools, inviting children to create Ireland-inspired artwork. The top artist and a parent were awarded a weekend trip to Galway, including hotel and flights. Another prize, including flights to Ireland, a shopping voucher, and entry to the International Oyster Festival in Galway, was awarded to the best-dressed attendee.

A pop-up stall for the Galway Tourist Office was also present at the festival, promoting tourism to the region.

The Polish-Irish Connection

The event underscores the strong ties between Ireland and Poland.According to the 2022 census, the Polish community constitutes the largest minority group in Ireland, with over 93,000 individuals. The number of Polish speakers in Ireland is estimated at 123,000,reflecting the presence of Irish-born children of Polish heritage.

Conversely, the Irish community in Poland is significantly smaller, estimated by the Irish embassy in Warsaw to be “in the low thousands”, with approximately 1,000 Irish students attending Polish universities. The most recent Polish census from 2021 indicates that around 10,000 Polish citizens hold dual Polish-Irish citizenship,frequently the children of Polish parents who previously lived in Ireland and have as returned.

Building Bridges

Kwiek expressed her commitment to fostering connections between her two homes. “Łódź is in my blood, but, after ten years, when I visit Łódź, sometimes I’m overwhelmed and I need to go back to my Connemara,” she said.

The St. Patrick’s Day parade and festival in Łódź represent a notable step in strengthening cultural exchange between Ireland and Poland. The event serves as a reminder of the enduring bonds between the two nations and the power of cultural initiatives in fostering understanding and connection.

Inspired by this cultural exchange? Discover more about Irish culture and plan your visit to Galway today!

How can cultural exchange events like the Łódź St. Patrick’s Day parade contribute to building bridges and fostering understanding between different communities on an international level?

Bringing the Emerald Isle to Poland: An Interview on the Łódź St. Patrick’s Day Parade

The city of Łódź, Poland, recently hosted its inaugural st. Patrick’s Day parade,a vibrant celebration of Irish culture and traditions. We sat down with Aine O’Connell, a cultural attaché from the Irish Embassy in Warsaw, to discuss the event and its meaning.

The Genesis of the Łódź St. patrick’s Day Parade

Archyde News: Aine, thank you for joining us. Can you tell us what sparked the idea for a St.Patrick’s Day parade in Łódź?

Aine O’Connell: The seed was planted by Ivonka Kwiek, a native of Łódź with strong ties to Galway. She envisioned a deeper connection between Ireland and Poland, beyond just the typical St. patrick’s Day clichés. Her passion, combined with the growing interest in Irish culture hear in Poland, made it the perfect time to launch such an event.

Celebrating Authentic Irish Culture

Archyde News: The parade was part of a larger festival focusing on authentic Irish food and traditions. How important was it to you to showcase the true essence of Irish culture?

Aine O’Connell: Absolutely crucial. We wanted to avoid the stereotypes and present a genuine representation of Ireland. Ivonka’s collaboration with ‘A Taste of Galway’ ensured that the festival featured real Irish cuisine, showcasing the richness of our culinary heritage. We are grateful for that!

The Polish-Irish Connection: More Than Just a Parade

Archyde News: Poland has a significant diaspora in Ireland. How do events like this contribute to strengthening those existing ties?

Aine O’Connell: The connections between Ireland and Poland are indeed strong. this festival, and especially the parade, celebrates that relationship. It fosters understanding and gratitude for both cultures, creating a platform for connection for the Polish community in Ireland and vice versa. By sharing our traditions and heritage, we’re building bridges and reinforcing the bonds between our two nations.

Community Engagement and the Future of the Festival

Archyde News: The parade involved local schools and offered some astonishing prizes. What was the overall community response?

Aine O’Connell: The response was overwhelmingly positive! The children’s artwork was fantastic, and the prizes generated a lot of excitement. The involvement of the Łódź city Council and Galway City Council as honorary patrons shows the level of support this initiative has received. We hope the St. patrick’s Day Parade, and the OFF to Ireland Festival, becomes an annual event.

A Thought-Provoking Question for Our Readers

Archyde News: Aine, thank you for your insights. a question for our readers: What are some ways you believe cultural exchange events like the Łódź St. patrick’s Day Parade can strengthen international relationships and promote understanding between different communities?