A number of weeks ago we hosted a fabulous Viking event in the Club that really ticked all the boxes for us. It was a child and family friendly event that had a spectrum of multi-cultural, educational, musical and historical elements, combined with craft making workshops for the kids.
The driving force behind the Viking exhibition were Irish and Polish viking groups from all over the country.
The main driver behind this event is Art Janka from Poland. All attendees were highly impressed with the Old-School vibes of the building and floor space. They saw lots of potential, so much so that they want to set up residence within the Club through their Polish Society called Polonica Éire.
Polonica Éire hosted St Andrew’s Eve on Saturday 30th November within the Club. Lots of Polish food and games… we liked the whole coin toss over the shoulder, attempting to land it into the bucket to grant a wish(I’m sure there must be an old Irish equivalent game). The making of shapes with wax and a ley was interesting.
It might not be “Fat-Thursday” yet, but Polish doughnuts are always top notch (I will unashamedly plug a local business and highly recommend everybody to drop into Beate’s Polish mini-market in Inchicore (opposite Greenville Deli coffee shop). The fresh breads, doughnuts, herbs, Apple Mint juice, Hams cold cuts, saudages and East European foods come highly recommended. A great place to put in an order of doughnuts for “Fat Thursday”… upcoming on Thursday 12th February 2026).
Polonica Éire are a Polish community that wants to organise events for Polish and Irish people, one bring Hike and Hike & Coffee Ireland.
We have a lot of people within our Community who are a long way from home. We cannot forget that they need support and sometimes in a foreign country, they will experience lonliness and need that boost. CIE Hall is delighted to help out and with that I’ll hand you over to Dorota Of Polonica Éire and Hike & Coffee Ireland…
“…I’ll remember this past weekend for a long time. I’m incredibly grateful for the wonderful people around me, for new connections, new friendships, and for the bonds that grow stronger thanks to moments like these.
On Saturday, together with a few amazing people, Polonica Eire Community and thanks to Inchicore Sports & Social Club. we organised a St Andrew’s Eve (Andrzejki night), not only for the Polish community. So many people came, and I truly hope everyone had a great time. There were fortune-telling games, wax pouring, music and dancing, and traditional Polish food. Just the way it should be!
And on Sunday, after only 3 hours of sleep, I headed to the mountains with some fantastic girls. We searched for a cross hidden in the mist, laughed, froze, but somehow it all felt magical. The coffee after tasted heavenly!
I hope for many more moments like these. They remind me what truly matters in life: people, connection, and closeness. I want to give as much as I can to others, especially to those who are trying to find their place while living abroad, like I once did (and still do at times), or who are looking for connections in their home country. I know it’s not always easy.
I also want to share our Polish culture and traditions with Irish people and other communities living on the island. I believe we can learn from each other, grow together, and build real friendships. This means a lot to me, and I hope I can continue doing it…”
Another last plug for Hike And Coffee Ireland …
Dorota and co. and getting their Hiking group off the ground. Their hope is to use the Club as a base for meetups before and after a walk. If you’re interested, do not hesitate contacting Dorota.
Who knows it might grow into something where locals might organise a walking trip each year to Poland, Slovakia or the Czech Republic via Ryanair.
I have spent over 42 good years traipsing over mountains throughout Ireland and another 15 great years walking the Alps in Europe.
My favourite place has to be the Low Tatras of Northern Slovakia (Stary Smokovec), Krkonese mountains of SouthWestern Poland and Czechia (Karpacz and Spindleruv Mlyn) and the High Tatras (Zakopane) of Poland.
There is really something to be said about walking on high trails and venturing from mountain hut (Dom)to mountain, replensihing the soul with a hot Wurst, Żurek and a beer while sitting in extremely warm huts, staring out across stunning vistas. Then, returning to biting cold weather and exploring the wilderness before arriving at the next Dom
Unfortunaly we have zero integrated mountain trails in Ireland that are accessible with any sort of transport system, unlike a lot of Europe.
These are places most Irish people have never heard of. They should be places to experience before we all grow old.
I’ve still yet to stretch the legs in the Białowieża forest and Poldlasie region but there’s always Art’s Lough or Glendalough of a Sunday!
Part of the excitement of walking in Poland and Slovakia is the obligatory visit to mountain huts (Dom’s, Chata’s, Bouda’s)