Tipperary links with Poland are recalled during ambassador's visit to Nenagh

The links between Tipperary and Poland were highlighted last week when the Polish Ambassador visited the town to make a presentation to a local secondary school teacher and to visit the Civic Offices where she was accorded a civic reception.

Speaking at the Civic Reception for Ambassador Anna Sochańska, Cllr Roger Kennedy, Cathaoirleach of Tipperary County Council, highlighted the links between the county and Poland, pointing out that Cashel was a member of the European Charter of Rural Communities that was set up in 1998, and people from Cashel had visited Poland and the Polish town on the committee had also visited Cashel.

“Some had even come back to Cashel on holidays,” said Cllr Kennedy.

In relation to the war in Ukraine, Cllr Kennedy pointed out that Poland had taken in 2.5 million Ukrainians fleeing the conflict, and Ireland had taken in 70,000.

“It is a terrible situation that in the 21st century you can have a conflict like that on your borders. However, sometimes you have to fight fire with fire,” he said.

Cllr Kennedy also made reference to the fact that Tipperary TD Jackie Cahill, who was present, was on President Putin’s blacklist.

Nenagh Municipal District Council leas-Chathaoirleach Cllr Phyll Bugler revealed that of the 4,071 Polish people living in Tipperary, 750 of them were in Nenagh.

“They have integrated well in schools, opened shops and make a valued contribution to sports clubs.

Cllr Bugler also welcomed St Mary’s Secondary School teacher Con McGrath from Clonmore to the council chamber following his presentation with the BohaterON gold award by the Ambassador to honour his work in recording the lives of ordinary people during the Warsaw Uprising against the Nazis in 1943.

Mr McGrath conducted interviews with almost 50 survivors of the uprising, bringing a greater understanding of the tragic event to a widespread audience, including his students in Nenagh.

The uprising lasted for 60 days and resulted in the complete of the city.

County Chief Executive Joe MacGrath had a special mention for Polish woman Evelina Vingiene who works with the council, and who, he said, “we now call one of our own”.

He also referenced the “extraordinary generosity” of Poland in accepting so many people from Ukraine and thanked Con McGrath for the connections he had made with Poland that had brought the Ambassador to Nenagh.

Ambassador Sochańska, the first female Polish envoy to Ireland, highlighted the similarities between Irish and Polish people when it came to hospitality.

She also praised the Irish response to Ukraine, saying Poland and Ireland had similar histories when it came to having a “big brother on the other side of the border”.

Ms Sochańska paid tribute to Mr McGrath, saying Poland was proud of him and his work.