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Christmas Eve for Socially Excluded People in Dublin – The Beginning of a New Tradition

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This December, the Barka for Mutual Help Ireland, in cooperation with the Consular and Polish Diaspora Section of the Embassy of Poland in Dublin, organised a Christmas Eve celebration in Dublin for people experiencing homelessness, loneliness, and difficult life circumstances. Around 150 participants gathered for an evening filled with warmth, community, and hope.

For over 30 years, Christmas Eve for those in need has been a cherished tradition of the Polish Barka Foundation, where every year around 350 people come together to share a meal, sing carols, and celebrate the true spirit of Christmas. It is a time when those who often face exclusion find companionship, dignity, and belonging.

This year, that beautiful tradition has taken root in Dublin, marking the beginning of what we hope will become a lasting annual celebration for the local Polish and Irish community.

The event, held at the Polish Library Biblary, began with a bilingual welcome and greetings from invited guests, including representatives of CKU Dublin, Forum Polonia, partner organisations, and clergy. Together, participants prayed, shared the Christmas wafer, and sang “Silent Night,” creating an atmosphere of unity and peace.

After the spiritual part, guests enjoyed traditional Polish Christmas Eve dishes — including pierogi, barszcz with dumplings, carp, and various festive salads — served in a warm, family-like setting, with carols playing softly in the background. The evening also included expressions of gratitude to volunteers, short speeches from guests, and the much-awaited arrival of Saint Nicholas.

Thirty children received Christmas gifts, while adults were given festive aid packages prepared by Barka and Polish Embassy, bringing joy and comfort to those most in need. Adding to the festive spirit, students of the Polish School SEN prepared beautiful Christmas centerpieces, while participants of the Polish Leaving Certificate course (PPLI) created handmade Christmas cards with wishes for the event’s guests.

The event concluded with group photos and warm exchanges that, for many, became the most touching moment of the evening.

We are deeply grateful to all volunteers, partners, and supporters whose generosity made this event possible. Thanks to you, the Dublin Christmas Eve of 2025 became not only a night of compassion but also the beginning of a new, meaningful tradition inspired by the long-standing Polish example.

Photo: Remi Winiarski

Nauris came to Ireland believing in a promise

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Someone had told Nauris there would be a job and accommodation waiting for him here. But when he arrived, he discovered it was all a lie. For six long weeks, he wandered the streets of Dublin — cold, hungry, and exposed to danger.

He survived thanks to soup kitchens and, for two weeks, managed to stay in night shelters. But even that came to an end. It was heartbreaking to see how much he had changed in that short time. When he showed us his passport – needed to book his flight home – we could hardly recognise him. His tired, bearded face told a story of hardship and disappointment.

With support from Barka, he was finally able to return home to Romania, to his wife and two teenage children.

Sadly, there are thousands of people like him on the streets of Dublin – drawn here by stories of easy work and a better life, only to find themselves lost and alone.

At Barka, we meet them every day. We offer help, understanding, and a way home. Because everyone deserves a second chance.