Irish
Solidarity with Poland
by Pat Quigley
Poland was a country in crisis in the early 1980s. The founding of the
free trade union, Solidarity, in the Gdansk shipyard in August 1980
led to resistance to the Communist government. On 13th December 1981,
General Jaruzelski declared martial law and the army took control of
the country. 
In Ireland a group of Polish people and Irish supporters organised protests
and fundraising events and sent a large amount of aid to Poland.
This episode in Irish-Polish relations is being commemorated this month
with an exhibition in Blanchardstown Library taking place from March
1st to March 13th coupled with a public meeting in the Library at 7.00
p.m on March 8th.
The Irish Polish Society was formed in 1979 for the visit to Ireland
of Pope John Paul II. At that time the number of Poles living in Ireland
was about 350. Among them was Dr. Janina Lyons of Coolmine whose husband,
Sean Lyons, an independent councillor on Dublin County Council, was
PRO for the group.
During martial law in Poland thousands of activists were rounded up
and interned. People had to get permission to travel from one city to
another. The Polish people suffered shortages and many shops were empty.
From late 1981 the Irish Polish Society organised concerts, made collections
and took part in pickets and vigils. Polish artist, Ula Retzlaff-O’Carroll
made a special Christmas crib with puppets of Jaruzelski consulting
with the Devil.
Jan Kaminski of the Irish Polish Society challenged RTE “to reveal
the true conditions of Poland where thousands are held in detention
camps, recreation facilities are closed, food shops crowded with scanty
supplies at inflated prices.”
Among the events was an all-priests show in the Olympia Theatre, a charity
night in Dolly Heffernan’s and a special performance of The Pirates
of Penzance, all in aid of the Polish Relief Fund.
During 14 months the Irish Polish Society sent 20 containers of medicines,
powdered milk, baby food and clothes to Poland valued at more than £250,000.
Carriers took the cargo free of charge. The containers left Dublin Port
by ship to the Polish port of Szczecin for distribution. 
Martial law was eased in February 1983, with the release of Lech Walesa
but the position of many Poles was still grim. Food, clothing, shoes,
soap and medicines were in short supply while meat, detergents, cotton
wool and children’s exercise books were rationed. In February
1984 the IPS appealed for items for an Auction for Aid to Poland.
Over the years the Irish Polish Society has worked in many ways to improve
understanding between Ireland and Poland, but the period of martial
law was a highpoint. There are times when individuals can have an impact
on history when leaders and governments fail. These occasions are rare
but are important and they should be remembered. The exhibition and
talk in Blanchardstown Library gives us an opportunity to do just that.
Public Meeting on 'Solidarity with Poland 1980-84' in Blanchardstown
Library, Monday, March 8th @ 7.00pm with local Irish Polish Society
members, a short film and songs from the period.
Admission is free.
Pat
Quigley is a local author with a particular interest in Poland. He has
written a book entitled “Secrets of the Forest” about the
fate of two million Poles deported to Siberia during the second world
war.
He is currently working on a novel based on the life of Countess Constance
Markievicz who was married to Polish artist Count Casimir Markievicz.
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