'So many opportunities here': Ukrainian children on experience of new life in Donegal

Ukrainian children now living in Donegal since fleeing their war-torn home country have shared their experience of their new life.

The war in Ukraine was the main topic of the opening day of the first day of the 2023 MacGill Summer School. Glenties is the adopted home for many Ukrainian nationals who have sought refuge from the war.

Over 50 people from Ukraine took up residence in the Highlands Hotel, the base of the MacGill Summer School with almost 20 more in nearby Fintown and over 100 now living in nearby Ardara.

Eleven-year-old Anastasia told how she had never been abroad before until moving to Ireland in 2022.

‘Sweetest victory of all’: Letterkenny man's inspirational recovery from triple bypass

Less than two years after undergoing a triple bypass operation, Shauni Holian completed the Donegal Ultra 333km race last Friday alongside his brother Kevin - winning the two-man team category

“I love my Ukraine but we have to save our lives because the war was started in my country,” she said. “It was quest for me. It was very cool experience.

“This is a very cool, beautiful, kind country. I am very happy to be living here in Glenties.”

Anastasia spoke about hoe she moved away from many things that were ‘dear to me’ including her friends, school and her dance classes. Moving to Glenties has given her the chance to ‘walk by the ocean’ and she added: “Thank you for helping. Thank you for everything.”

Leah, a 13-year-old from Donetsk, saw eight years of the Russia-Ukraine war in her home city and is now attending school at St Columba’s Comprehensive.

“I moved to Ireland in 2022 when the war spread through Ukraine,” Leah said. “During this time, I improved my English. I have made a lot of friends in Ireland. Without the support of the Irish people, it would not be easy.

“There are so many opportunities here. I want to live here and build a future here. I am thinking about becoming a citizen of Ireland and I want to say thanks for listening - it means a lot to me.”

Larysa Gerasko, the Ukrainian ambassador to Ireland, was among they speakers on the first day of the forum.

A large crowd at the Highlands Hotel heard the story of Andrew, who recalled how on February 23, 2022 ‘we didn’t expect anything’. The following day, Russia invaded Ukraine in an escalation of a war that began in 2014.

“The next day was one of the darkest of all time,” Andrew said. In mid-November, after a tourney by ‘train, train and plane’, he arrived in Glenties. His first time to ‘see the ocean’ was on his birthday, November 19.

Andrew retains the hope of returning to his beloved home country ‘soon’ and told the audience how he has been improving his English since moving to Donegal.

“Before the war started, everything was completely perfect,” he said.

Anastasia, Andrew, Leah and their friend Daniel gave a rendition of ’Shche ne vmerla Ukrainas’, the Ukrainian national anthem before treating the attendance to a version of Amhrán na bhFiann.