Ukrainian Refugees in Ireland

Ireland has welcomed more than 100,000 of the almost 6 million Ukrainians who have fled the country since the 2022 full-scale invasion by Russia. The result has been a sizable Ukrainian community within the country that has sought to preserve its culture and way of life amidst a foreign environment. Economic hardships and cultural unfamiliarity have made that task harder. Within months of the outbreak of the war, Ukraine’s diaspora in Ireland was joined by the wider Irish public in mobilizing support for the new arrivals. This social support has proved integral in mitigating the negative psychological effects associated with being a refugee and building resilient refugee communities. In Dublin, Ukrainian refugees, particularly women, have found this support across various non-formal sectors of Irish society. These include the Ukrainian Catholic Church, The Women’s Collective, and Ukrainian Action.

Gendered Dimensions

Ukraine’s wartime conscription policy has meant that the refugees fleeing into Western Europe have been largely women and children. A survey conducted by Ukrainian Action across a sample of the Ukrainian refugee population found 76% of respondents to be women. Approximately half of respondents also had children under the age of 18. Due to these familial circumstances, Ukrainian women have been found to rely heavily on non-relative community networks. These social connections are influential in fostering a sense of belonging and providing emotional support during resettlement. Research conducted by Adekunle Adedeji et al. on Ukrainian refugees in Germany similarly found that women struggle significantly, and more so relative to their male counterparts. This includes struggles with mental health issues, psychosocial distress, and lack of economic opportunities.

The Ukrainian Catholic Church

The Ukrainian Catholic Church (UCC) draws an unusual crowd for a church. In an interview with the author of this article, Head Chaplain Father Vasyl Kornetsky said about half of its attendees did not frequent church prior to their arrival in Ireland. The church lies within the Our Lady of Consolation Church, an Irish Catholic church that opened its doors to the Ukrainian Catholic community. Father Kornetsky recalls in the interview: “Two years ago, when people came from Ukraine, they were looking for a Ukrainian center where they could go and speak their language.”

Coffee Hour and Community Life

Spending time with others who shared their language and culture made it easier for women to navigate the cultural and emotional shock of their situation, Kornetsky recalls. Coffee hour, the social gathering that occurs after church, acts as a vital community space. Here, women share their experiences and support each other through similar situations. Father, Kornetsky recounted how this moment of gathering is also where many women-led community movements form. In one instance, women leaders devoted this time to organize a bake sale to raise money for wounded Ukrainian soldiers. The church choir and embroidery club act as other outlets for refugees to reconnect with their culture and find emotional support.

The Women’s Collective

Another notable organization in town is Women’s Collective. It is a grassroots organization with one of its goals being to be welcome their Ukrainian neighbors. In an interview with the author of this article, Sinead Mahon from the Women’s Collective explains, “They [Ukrainian refugees] got to meet Irish women in that safe space, and then all of the sudden they feel more integrated.” The Women’s Collective draws upon shared skills between women, such as crocheting and weaving, to build intercultural women’s groups. The “Connection through Craft” program is one such example. According to the UNHCR’s Integration Handbook, connections between refugees and locals in their host communities increase refugees’ involvement in that community. It also builds their confidence in navigating their host country. This makes cross-cultural activities, such as those by the Women’s Collective, particularly valuable.

Ukrainian Action

Equally important to the wellbeing of refugees is the presence of opportunities to engage with their home culture and customs. Ukrainian Action, a nonprofit that offers social support for Ukrainian refugees, provides this outlet while simultaneously integrating people with Irish society. The non-profit hosts regular clean-ups in Dublin and organizes fundraising events and charity drives to provide aid for Ukraine. The organization’s Ukraine Center in Dublin provides a space for Ukrainians to feel at home and supported in their new community.

Volunteering with Ukrainian Action

In another interview with the author, Olga Chekmaieva, a volunteer with Ukrainian Action Ireland, described how women connect with their culture and their Ukrainian identity. This is primarily done through community events such as knitting circles and clubs for other crafts. Chekmaieva continued saying that Ukrainian Action creates opportunities for refugees to volunteer in their communities and alongside the local population. Volunteering in this way improves refugees’ psychosocial wellbeing by providing meaningful occupation. It also builds familiarity with Irish society and the confidence to participate in it.

Resettlement Amidst Growing Tensions

These events, however welcoming, do not ensure equal accessibilities to all women. “Women should not be expected to be heroes”, remarks Olga Chekmaieva. Among the testimonies of resilience, it is easy to forget the reality that most recently arrived refugees face. Long work hours, childcare often shouldered alone, and the challenge of navigating a new home all compound. On top of this, public support recently appears to sway less and less in the direction of support for newcomers, fueled in large part by the housing crisis in Dublin. Recent cuts to monthly stipends and housing accommodations reflect the country’s shift in policies on the subject of migrants. This could bring greater financial burden to Ukrainians and others. In light of these changes, opportunities to build community and form social connections may be more valuable than ever.