Roma in Ireland

There are approx 2,500-3,000 Roma in Ireland, from Eastern Europe, in addition to the 20,000 or so Irish Traveller population.

First Arrivals

After the Velvet Revolution and Velvet Divorce of the former Czechoslovakia, many thousands of Romany fled to Norway, Finland, UK, and Ireland due to the rise in racist attacks. Many subsequently went home when things calmed down.

econd Coming

The second coming came after the admittance of the 15 states to the EU, with the populations coming to Dublin and outlying large towns like Tullamore, Portlaoise, Longford, and Athlone.

Third Wave

Many have recently come from Romania, but they are barred from working in construction.

Roma Culture in Ireland

Many work as street sellers, or hawkers, selling flowers and bric a brac. Men tend to busk, with varying degrees of success. Women are often seen begging, sometimes with children.

Many have worked in the construction sector.

There are Romany discos in Portaloise and Longford on a weekly basis.

Recession in Construction

The recession in the construction sector has hit the Roma hard in Ireland, with high levels of unemployment now in their ranks. Many who were living in Dublin have been moved down the country to towns such as Athlone, Drogheda and Longford, due to the high cost of housing in Dublin city.

Roma Enterprise

There is a number of Slovak ethnic shops opened being run by Roma in Waterford, Athlone and Cork.

Reference

* http://www.eapn.ie/policy/105
* http://www.nccri.ie/cdsu-travellers.html
* http://www.geocities.com/~Patrin/ireland2.htm
* http://www.romasupport.ie/
* http://www.nowpublic.com/roma_deported_ireland
* http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/equal/practical-examples/asyl-06-ie-roma_en.cfm
* http://216.239.59.104/search?q=cache:GRPocbDbVnoJ:www.paveepoint.ie/pdf/Roma_Report.pdf+roma+in+ireland&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=10&gl=uk