2023 Autumn Newsletter
Dear Irish community, friends of Ireland, A chairde,
Welcome to the autumn edition of our Embassy newsletter. After a wonderful Indian summer, the weather is growing chillier and the evenings are drawing in. As with so many people, this is perhaps my family’s favourite time of the year, with the fiery autumnal hues more than compensating for the drop in temperature.
Since our last newsletter in July, the Embassy team has been proudly promoting Ireland, highlighting our country’s many strengths as well as its values while working to further reinforce our relations with Slovakia. Rather than setting out our activities and initiatives, I direct you instead to a selection of photographs in the pages that follow.
Please “save the date” for the Embassy’s Christmas family reception which will take place on the evening of 12 December in the Primate’s Palace in Bratislava’s Old Town. Invitations will issue in due course but do please make sure to take a note of this in your agendas. We look forward to seeing you there. And of course, children are most welcome!
A few other things to draw your attention to. Shane Bissett, who arrived in Slovakia in 2020, is interested in hearing from you about the possibility of setting up an “Irish network”. Shane has a short message about this proposal in our newsletter. If this is something that you would like to become involved in, please reach out directly to Shane at his email address. If this worthwhile initiative gains traction, the Embassy would be delighted to host a first in person meeting of the network.
The Presentation Sisters’ three-decades long mission to Slovakia is coming to an end shortly. A lifetime of service to the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in Slovak society, especially in the East, is no small thing. We wish the sisters good health and happiness as they depart this country. They can look back with satisfaction on their achievements over the years in bettering so many lives.
As some if you may know, the much loved Uisce Beatha bar changed ownership in September. Thankfully, it has stayed in Irish hands and is set to continue acting as a welcoming focal point for our community in Bratislava. We offer our congratulations to new owner and long-time resident Shane Crean, and wish Veronika Kubaláková and Brendan Byrne every success in their future endeavours.
As always, we warmly welcome your feedback and suggestions as we work to improve our service and outreach to you. Please send any comments or ideas to Bratislava@dfa.ie Perhaps you would like to contribute an article to our newsletter. If so, we would be delighted to hear from you!
With best wishes for the autumn, le gach dea-ghuí.
Dermot McGauran
Ambassador of Ireland
A wonderfully spooky Hallowe´en family party at the Goblins pub last Saturday afternoon. Our thanks to the organisers and congratulations to the children for their fabulous costumes!
In September, Ambassador McGauran joined other Embassies as well as political and community leaders at a sombre ceremony in Bratislava dedicated to the victims of the Holocaust and of racial violence. President Zuzana Čaputová gave a powerful address highlighting the hatred that preceded and then fuelled this darkest of chapters when over three-quarters of Slovakia’s Jewish citizens were first dispossessed and then deported with other persecuted groups to the extermination camps. It was deeply moving to hear the personal testimony of a Holocaust survivor.
In September DhoM Janet O‘Sullivan attended the pipers' festival Gajdovacka in Oravska Polhora, which included many activities, such as music-dance stage performances, International singing competitions, workshops and presentations of musical instruments
She met with the village Mayor Michal Strnál and Andrea Brndiarova who has been responsible for bringing many Irish musicians, singers and dancers to festivals across Slovakia for many years in collaboration with Red Cow Lane, Dublin. (1) Facebook
Uileann piper Dave Fadden who was accompanied by Darragh Fadden, and Declan Gillen gave some wonderful performances of music and dance at the festival.
The Embassy was centrally involved in an international conference devoted to the historical and contemporary importance of diasporas hosted by our friends at the university of Matej Bel in Banská Bystrica. Ireland was well represented with the Ambassador joined by Senator Mark Daly and other Irish contributors at a session on the global Irish diaspora. Did you know that 23 of America’s 46 Presidents are of Irish extraction? And that there are an estimated 70 million people worldwide of Irish decent? Galway is to host next year’s conference.
As part of our ongoing outreach to young people in Slovakia, we had a really excellent discussion with students at the university of Nitra in October. They were keen to learn more about Ireland and its culture. We are hoping to expand our cooperation with the university and explored possibilities with the academic staff.
It has been a hectic but productive few weeks on the cultural front, not least in showcasing the excellence of our literature both in the Irish language and in English. We were honoured to host three great writers in October: Irish-language poet, Dr. Ailbhe Ní Ghearbhuigh and novelists Louise Nealon and Rónán Hession. Ailbhe gave a wonderful reading of her poetry to students at Comenius university. It was probably the first time that the students had heard the language being spoken. Louise and Rónán were in Bratislava for the Novotvar literary festival and read from their works which have already been translated into Slovak.
The Irish were also out in force at the BIB children’s illustrators biennale. In all, ten illustrators
represented Ireland in the competition. At our request, Irish illustrators held workshops for school children. You can visit the exhibition in various locations across Bratislava. More information on the website BIB .
It was in the early 1990´s the Presentation Sisters first came from Ireland to Slovakia. They began, even while studying Slovak language and becoming generally acclimatized to this very different context, by teaching English in Primary and Secondary Catholic schools in Bratislava and later in Košice, Levoča, Poprad, Spišská Nová Ves, Stará Lˇubovňa and Spišské Podhradie. The sisters always worked with local people and schools offering educational opportunities, family support, and faith community development. In the beginning, Srs. Rita Carberry, Immaculate Power, Yvonne Jennings, Louise Eustace and Mairead Moran taught English in the Catholic schools in Bratislava. On retiring from school, Sr. Rita Carberry went on to work for many years on a resocialization project called Resoty for homeless men
Spreading the Christian story of redemption has always been part of the charism and life-style of the Presentation Sisters. Catholic organizations, churches, and faith develpment groups have been part of their ministry in Slovakia, as it is all over the world. Sr. Eileen Tobin, and the late Srs. Assumpta King and Elizabeth Starken were very much involved in this ministry.
The Presentation Sisters were founded in Cork, Ireland in 1775 by Nano Nagle, a woman of faith who saw the needs of the poor in Ireland. Nano was a woman of great courage who established secret schools for Catholic children who at that time were barred from education by oppressive British law. She taught long days, visited the sick and old at night and always brought comfort and hope. Presentation Mission today calls the sisters to do nothing less. In partnership with like-minded individuals and groups, they strive to further the legacy of their foundress. Like Nano, they strive to stand with compassionate hearts alongside people. Together they aim to do the work of justice.
After the year 2000, some Presentation Sisters moved from Bratislava, Sr. Mairead Moran went to Košice to work in a Catholic Secondary School and Srs. Marie Behan and Eileen Nash later came to Slovakia and joined Mairead in Košice where they worked in Luník IX and among the people of Košice. Other sisters went to Spišské Podhradie in 2003 and have worked there until now. Three other sisters Sr. Mary Lenehan, Sr. Rosamma Arukonmala and the late Sr. Madeline Houlihan also spent some time on the mission in Slovakia. As an international congregation the sisters formed community and served missionary projects among those around them. These sisters came from Ireland and India. They were involved in English language teaching, family support and faith community development. In Spišské Podhradie the sisters provided educational and family support among the Roma people. Sr. Louise Eustace on retiring from her work with the Roma in Spišské Podhradie, went on to teach English in the local Catholic Secondary Schools of Levoča, Spišská Nová Ves and Poprad. The Sisters also always co-operated with the local diocesan seminary at the request of the bishop, enabling the training of future pastors to work in the Diocese of Spiš.
The Presentation Sisters opened a Centre on 21st November, 2004 called the Nano Nagle Centre. Among other activities it housed a Pre-school for Roma in Spišské Podhradie, supported by the Presentation Sisters. The Pre-school is for children aged 3 -7, all Roma, who do not have the opportunity otherwise to avail of Pre-school education. The Pre-School has been run from the beginning by the Municipal authority. Sr. Louise Eustace was the first Director and Founder of the project. Through the years other sisters have supported this, helping to educate children and parents, encourage regular school attendance and provide basic health education. Each September the Pre-school opens as usual with 20 children enrolled. Sincere thanks to Ken Ryan from Carlow, Ireland who ran many marathons in support of the Nano Nagle Centre ministry and to many others who supported the Centre down through the years. The on-going service of the Presentation Sisters takes the form of family support – documentation, transport and other needs – enabling the children´s participation in Pre-school. Srs. Anne McNamara and Rupa Lourdhusamy have offered and developed social and educational services primarily among the Roma. In July 2020, the Nano Nagle Centre which was owned and run by the Sisters was sold to the Municipal authority as a Centre for the Town. The Pre-school then moved to another larger building where it continues to flourish.
The Presentation Sisters, along with Staff and Volunteers may be justifiably proud of the work that has been done. Sadly, the decision has now been made for the Presentation Sisters to leave Slovakia. This closure will be completed in December 2023. The sisters wish all those they worked with continued success and wish that new ways of meeting current needs will develop. They hope that all children will be provided with the educational, social, cultural and spiritual support that they require and that this will lead to their growth and development.
As they leave, they have expressed the hope that 2024 will be a new year of opportunity for learning, practising social justice and innovation in Slovakia. The Sisters would like to express their sincere thanks for all that people in Slovakia have done to support their work and ministry. They wish to acknowledge that, throughout their time in Slovakia, they have experienced nothing but help, friendship, laughter, concern and care from all they have encountered during their years here.
The staff of the Irish Embassy in Bratislava deserve special mention, the sisters say. It is not always easy to be a missionary in another country and the presence and palpable warmth and efficiency of the Irish Embassy in Bratislava have certainly made it easier down through the years for them. It is sad that the Presentation Sisters are leaving Slovakia but their wish is that St. Patrick, the primary patron saint of Ireland, may continue to inspire all with his wisdom and by the example of his remarkable life.
It's a time of heartfelt thanks and new beginnings at our beloved Uisce Beatha bar. After an incredible journey spanning over a decade, we bid a fond farewell to Brendan and Veronika, who have been more than just the owners of Uisce Beatha; they've been the heart and soul of our community here in Bratislava.
For 10 and a half remarkable years, Brendan and Veronika have nurtured this bar into not just a place for a pint, but a true home away from home for many expats and locals alike. Their passion, dedication, and unwavering commitment to building a community-based bar where friendships flourished and memories were made, have touched many lives.
As we look back with gratitude, we also look forward with great excitement. The baton has now been passed to Shane Crean, who has been working closely with Brendan and Veronika to ensure a seamless transition. With great enthusiasm Shane is set to continue the legacy of Uisce Beatha, fostering the same warmth and camaraderie that have always been its hallmark.
Our deepest thanks to Brendan and Veronika for their immeasurable contributions, and in welcoming Shane to the Uisce Beatha family. We're confident that under Shane's stewardship, this corner of Bratislava will continue to be the special place we all cherish.
Here's to new chapters, continued traditions, and the enduring spirit of Uisce Beatha!
Sláinte!
Heartfelt thanks to Aaron McCauley of Trnava university who promoted the Irish language during the European Day of Languages on 26th September.
As Aaron said:
``We had an opportunity to introduce the Irish Language and Culture of Ireland
to Slovakian students.
We engaged with hundreds of students on the day”.
Here you can view several photos as well as listen to some radio coverage (In Slovak).
Mesto plné študentov. V centre znejú aj netradičné jazyky | Trnavské rádio (trnavske.radio)
Niall Kenny, Shane Crean and Alexander Magyar completed a charity climb of the highest peak of the Carpathian Mountains, Gerlachovsky Stit, back in August.
They managed to raise over €1,400 for @centrumnatalia and @guidedogsk, two associations that work together to provide therapy and rehabilitation services for children.
Like many of you, we recently moved to live in Slovakia, in our case arriving here back in 2020 following the first Irish Covid lockdown. We have been lucky - it has been an enjoyable and enriching experience. It has been particularly interesting to see the similarities between Slovakia and Ireland, perhaps especially the Ireland of years passed.
I am conscious that the Irish diaspora here is quite small, finding out recently there are maybe just 300 or so of us across the country. However, these modest numbers also provide us with an opportunity to increase our connectedness.
I was wondering if others within our community would like to create a group and build our own little network of Irishness here in Slovakia?
If interested, please drop me an email at skbissett@gmail.com and we can chat further :-)
Slovak Shamrocks Return to Action: A Summer Recap
After a well-deserved summer break, the Slovak Shamrocks GAA team is back in action, and they've returned with a bang. The past few months have been a whirlwind of excitement, camaraderie, and notable achievements. Here's a recap of their summer activities and accomplishments.
Gaelic Football: A Spectacular Showing in Budapest
The football team of Slovak Shamrocks, known for their dedication and passion, once again hit the field with full force. This time, they traveled to Budapest to participate in the regional tournament, and their performance was nothing short of captivating.
Fair Play Award for the Men's Team
The men's team, in a remarkable display of sportsmanship and determination, teamed up with the Lazio GAA from Rome. Despite injuries and adversities, they managed to not only compete but win the prestigious Fair Play Award of the tournament. This achievement highlights their commitment to both the game and the spirit of fair play.
Ladies' Team Shines Bright
The ladies' team, equally committed to excellence, had an incredible tournament. They joined forces with Zurich and finished a commendable third place in the tournament. Their teamwork, skill, and resilience were truly impressive, demonstrating the strength of international collaboration within the GAA community.
Reviving Handball
Handball made a triumphant return, with the team resuming their weekly indoor training sessions. The passion for this traditional Gaelic sport continues to thrive within the club.
Handball trip in Vienna
Slovak Shamrocks have never been shy about showcasing their talent, and this summer was no exception. Several of the club's highly ranked players embarked on a journey to Vienna. They participated in friendly training and exhibition games, and their performance was nothing short of awe-inspiring. The team managed to secure victories in the majority of the games, captivating the crowds and asserting their dominance on the European Handball One-Wall charts.
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The Slovak Shamrocks GAA team can look back on a season of remarkable achievements and memorable moments. Our commitment to fair play, teamwork, and excellence continues to make them a prominent and respected part of the GAA community. The approaching winter season holds more opportunities for the Shamrocks to shine in and out of the pitch. Hon the Shams
If you would like to join our multicultural team feel free to send us a message on social media (@SlovakShamrocksGAA = FB LINK )