Romanian Community of Ireland

Founded in 1998, Romanian Community of Ireland sought from its beginning to strengthen links among Romanians living in Ireland, to improve their integration into the Irish society and to keep alive their connection to Romania. The organization aimed to be a forum for all Romanians in Ireland, irrespective of their religion or political leanings. RCI is a founding member of the New Communities Partnership (NCP), the only umbrella organization of more than 180 minority ethnic associations in Ireland.

Throughout her history, the organization actively promoted European values, and particularly the free movement of people across EU internal borders. RCI thus took decisive actions and positions on matters directly affecting Romanians living in Ireland both before and after Romania’s accession to the EU in 2007. Such issues included pre- and post- accession deportations of Romanian nationals, or post-accession restrictions to Romanian’s access to the Irish labor market.

In parallel, the organization was also very active in planning several events that were very well attended and thus contributed to increasing solidarity among the Romanian community in Ireland. Among these events were a Romanian ethnic music show in 2008, as well as, since 2009, International Women’s Day (March 8), International Child’s Day (June 1), Romania’s National Day (December 1) and St. Nicolas’ Day (December 6).

In the past years, apart from strengthening relations with the Romanian Embassy in Ireland, RCI was also involved in seminars dedicated to employment rights for EU25-27 nationals in the Irish labor market. Members of the RCI have continuously tried to maintain afloat of media’s presentation of Romanian migration in Ireland, and, when deemed necessary, they have also tried to ensure that a balanced picture was presented.