What’s all this: At the polish market in Dublin/Mark Ellwood
Ireland, long known for its enthusiastic emigration, has become one of Europeâs strongest magnets for immigration â down to the economic boom, its English-speaking population and its lax immigration rules after all, it’s not like anyone was clamoring to get in and the laws had to be changed).
Most newbies have come from Eastern Europe, notably Poland, and their impact on the cityâs visible in frequent all-Polish grocery stores â tagged Polski Sklep or Polish Shop â that sometimes sit barely doors away from a SPAR corner shop (thats the Islesâ answer to a bodega).
Go Polish and you’ll find unusual treats â a huge selection of frozen pierogis, cheap jars of red peppers â but thatâs not all: picky Polish expats can get Rice Crispies in a Polish-language packet or even Mars and Snickers bars (the price and taste are on a par with the Irish versions). The only problem â not a single item, from price to label, is translated into English, so itâs a risky pick and mix if you deviate from anything easily identifiable.
— Mark Ellwood
