ENGLISH CORNER, CON LINDA JIMÉNEZ – This week’s trivia question: When and why did the first Ashkenazi Jews arrive in Ireland, and where were they from?
March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day, the patron saint of Ireland. And while its origins are obviously Christian, many people in many parts of the world including even Spain celebrate it as a non-religious festive day, wearing green, listening to Irish music and drinking green beer. We generally think of Ireland as having a Catholic and Protestant population, but not many people know that there are also Jews in Ireland, and that their history extends back several centuries.
Although the Jewish community in Ireland has always been small in numbers, it is well established and has generally been well accepted into Irish life. Jews in Ireland have historically enjoyed a relative tolerance that was largely absent elsewhere in Europe.
Alexander Vard is a historian and graphic designer with roots in the Little Jerusalem Jewish quarter of Dublin. His family arrived there from modern-day Poland and became successful furriers. Alexander ran a tour company from 2017-2024 focusing on the Jewish history of Dublin. Today he lives with his wife and two cats in the North of Spain and gives virtual tours of Ireland.
In this program he is speaking with us about the history of the Jews in Ireland.
To contact Alexander:
Email: Alexander.j.vard@gmail.com
Phone: (+34) 614-280-008.
