The Latvians and the Irish – connections of the heart
Connections between the people of Ireland and the people of Latvia go back centuries. There are many similarities between our customs and traditions, and both countries are home to creative and artistic peoples.
Some of these historical connections have been documented. We know of the Irish who left during the “Flight of the Wild Geese” subsequently spending time in Latvia. We know about the Latvian, Charles Peterson, who had a pipe shop in Dublin – which is still there! – and his nephew, Konrad, who was friends with leaders of the 1916 Rising.
Strong family connections between Ireland and Latvia
Today, many people in Ireland and Latvia have strong family connections. Some 18,000 Latvians now live in Ireland and have continued links with their families in Latvia. Similarly, there are many Irish people who have fallen in love with Latvia and made it their home.
We want to share with you some of the stories of Latvian people who spent time in Ireland and for whom the experiences they had in Ireland remain a special part of their lives here in Latvia.
Here are some of their stories.
Andra Oto
Andra Oto lives in Kurzeme and runs her own textile design and wedding decoration company.
Tell us about your time in Ireland. When were you there, where were you and what did you do?
"I went to Ireland as an exchange student to UCC in Cork in 2002. I was supposed to be there for 3 months, but I fell in love with Ireland so much that I stayed. I worked for the Kylemore Café and then moved on to work for Apple Inc.
I met my husband and we got married. Our daughter Alexa was born in Ireland in 2008. After she was born, I started a small business venture by selling hand-made items on Etsy."
When did you come back to Latvia and what are you doing here now?
"We moved back home to Latvia in 2013. After returning, I wanted to turn my little business into something more, and so I looked for opportunities in Latvia. I found that I was able to receive some funding to give my business a kick-start. And so our company was born.
We currently work in two areas. Wedding decorating and wedding prop hire is one. And we have a little studio where we create personalised home textiles for holidays and everyday use."
Is there anything about your time in Ireland that was particularly useful for your life now in Latvia?
"While in Ireland, I did a creative textiles course in CSN College. It was a great course to take. I learned a totally different approach to textiles.
For example, I learned how to do screen-printing. Sometimes we worked together with a theatre group to make theatrical costumes and wigs for actors. That was so exciting to see and learn! I also did some business courses while in Ireland.
Overall, I got a lot of experience and that gave me the courage to start a business here in Latvia."
What do you remember about Ireland or is there anything you miss?
"I loved Ireland! Irish people are very friendly and nice! I really liked the laid-back culture, the togetherness, and how easy-going everyone was.
Another thing I was really surprised about – Irish people are such good singers! I met so many people with incredible voices – great, great singers! They would sing at work or out in the pubs and make everything so much more joyful!"
What do you like about being back in Latvia?
"I love being home with my family. I love that I was able to create this little business and be happy with what I do. I also love being able to do Latvian folk dance. Just being home and living the Latvian way – with all our traditional celebrations."
How do you stay connected to Ireland or keep your experience of Ireland alive?
"I have not been back to Ireland since we left. I do miss it. I would love to visit Cork and meet my friends. I should plan a trip back!
The biggest connection now is our niece, Gabriela, who lives in Ireland. She visits us quite often. And always brings us Kerrygold butter and cheese – what a treat! The Irish do have best cheese in the world!"
Inese and Kristaps Gaile
Inese and Krisptaps Gaile live in Vidzeme and play folk music for dancing and entertainment.
Tell us about your time in Ireland. When were you there, where were you and what did you do?
"In 2009, just a few months after getting engaged, we both went to Ireland. Our aim was to study there for one year: Kristaps studied Irish traditional music (traditional fiddle with Kevin Glackin) in Dublin Institute of Technology [now TU Dublin] and Inese took a community interpreting course with Belfast Health and Social Care Trust. So we lived and travelled back and forth between Dublin and Belfast."
When did you come back to Latvia and what are you doing here now?
"We returned home in 2010 as we had planned after finishing our studies and having enjoyed the summer in Ireland.
It was 14 years ago, so a lot has changed for us since then. However, one thing remains the same: our passion for Irish music. We are married now and have a young daughter. Alongside our other jobs, we keep playing and performing Irish traditional music in Latvia."
Is there anything about your time in Ireland that was particularly useful for your life now in Latvia?
"Our main interest and reason for choosing to live and study in Ireland was Irish traditional music.
While in Ireland, we had the opportunity to feel and experience the very roots and origins of the musical tradition. We were amazed how naturally and beautifully it integrates in the daily lives of Irish people.
It was a unique experience that we couldn’t have gotten anywhere else, so we intentionally tried to absorb it as much as possible during our year there. As well as Kristap's music studies, we went to different sessions, met different musicians and tried to learn from them."
What do you remember about Ireland or is there anything you miss?
"Most of all, we remember Irish people. We love and miss Irish people. Why? Because of their amazing qualities: openness, warmth, sense of humour, straight-forwardness and their natural ability to make one feel accepted and included.
We have travelled and lived in many different countries, but people in Ireland will always have a special place in our hearts. Perhaps, similar historical events like suppression and lack of freedom also unite us in a special way.
We love how Irish people have lived through hard times with songs and music, just as Latvian people have expressed everyday joys and challenges in our folksongs, called "dainas"."
What do you like about being back in Latvia?
"Our families are here, we can speak our native language here - this is our homeland and it will be like that forever."
How do you stay connected to Ireland or keep your experience of Ireland alive?
"Our main connection to Ireland remains the Irish traditional music. We play and perform it on a daily basis. Also, it is always a great joy to meet Irish people here in Latvia!
Thanks to social media and the internet, we keep in close touch with our friends whom we met while living in Ireland and we hope to meet them again whether in the near or far future."
Thank you Andra, Inese and Kristaps for sharing with us! If you have a story to tell, get in touch!