Fiestas and food help Cork's Mexicans feel right at home

It may be news to some, but Cork is home to a thriving Mexican community, which has become a vibrant and important part of life in the Rebel County.

In 2002, a group of Mexicans now living in the city and county set up The Mexican Community in Cork to help support the integration of Mexicans and their culture into Irish society. The group’s aims also include preserving their culture and traditions, and promoting a positive image of Mexico abroad.

Members of the group include professionals working for multinational companies in Cork, Mexicans who moved here with Irish partners, and students at UCC and other third level institutes in Cork. Families who have adopted children from Mexico also participate in the group’s activities.
Mexican ex-pat Karem Kollar in Bantry has been living in Ireland for 17 years. She told Changing Ireland: “I came here because of my husband who moved here from Hungary. There are about 150 people from Mexico in the group. There are actually a lot of Mexican people in Cork. We have a shop in Cork city and it sells products all over Ireland.

Fun with pinatas at a celebration held by the Mexican Community in Cork

“We participate in a lot of events. We held a party for Mexican Independence Day in September and about 150 people come to that. We hold a Christmas party in December. We participate in the Shandon Street Festival and we represent Mexico in the St Patrick’s Day Parade in Cork.”
Karem said it is “very important” for Mexican people to be able to attend events together and socialise with their compatriots.
“I have two kids and I want to show them my food and my culture, and for them to be able to speak Spanish. We show them pinatas, we play games, we show them how we celebrate Mexican traditions. It’s nice for me to speak to other Mexicans as well, and to speak Spanish.”
According to Karem, the group is also an important source or information and assistance for Mexicans who have recently relocated to Cork.
“We help other Mexicans arriving in Ireland with anything they need. We help Mexican students to find accommodation and things like that. We like to help each other; Mexican people in Cork know there is always somebody there to help. When we have parties, everyone helps out with food or making decorations,” she concluded.