An exhibition of photographs from historical sites, accompanied by information about Ireland's early Christian heritage, has been put on display until the end of next month at the Polish community's Catholic base in Ireland - St Michan's Church in Dublin.
The initiative is aimed at increasing awareness about Irish history among Polish people living here, and yesterday saw a number of lectures on related topics delivered in the church.
Among the sites featured in the exhibition are Clonfert, Glencolmcille,Glendalough, Kells and Skellig Michael. The photographs have been taken by members of the Polish community associated with the chaplaincy.
Beside each set of photographs is a section of text, translated into Polish with an English synopsis, explaining the background to saints such as St Ciarán, St Brendan and St Brigid.
Up to 90 per cent of the 160,000 Polish people who have registered to work here are believed to be Catholic. Such is the demand for access to the services provided by the Polish chaplaincy that it is due to move to a larger building at St Audoen's Church on High Street in the autumn.
According to Martin Malicki, of the Polish chaplaincy in Ireland, who is one of the organisers of the exhibition, between 3,000 and 4,000 people attend services at St Michan's on Sunday alone and would have access to the exhibition, which opened on Friday evening.
The chaplaincy is also engaged in fund-raising for the renovation of St Audoen's Church.
"By this exhibition, we would like to show them that this is something that is very important to Irish history," he said. "I suppose we want to detach people from the 'working, sleeping, working' way of life.
"Some people have the attitude that they only come here to earn money . . . but if you know more about someone else, the easier you can become friends."