Through the innocent gesture of inviting President Douglas Hyde to a soccer match between Poland and Ireland in 1938, Consul Dobrzyński – otherwise a very popular and admired personality in 1930s Dublin – unwittingly caused chaos on the Irish political scene.
‘Friends in Times of Turmoil’ – a historical exhibition on the life and career of Consul-General Dobrzyński – is coming to Limerick in May. It will reveal how the Polish nobleman initiated diplomatic relations and long-lasting friendship between the young states of Ireland and Poland in the 20th century.
The exhibition will be launched by the current Polish Ambassador to Ireland, Mr Ryszard Sarkowicz at the Glazed Street, Council Offices, Merchant’s Quay, Limerick, on Friday 19th May 2017 at 6.00pm.
From the moment he set foot on the Emerald Isle, Dobrzyński became deeply infatuated with Ireland and her people. In total, he spent 34 years in Ireland, of which 25 years were in diplomatic service, making him the longest-serving foreign diplomat in the history of the Irish State.
The exhibition forms part of the Polska Eire Festival 2017 - a nationwide, annual festival celebrating Irish-Polish friendship (www.polskaeirefestival.org)
This is a touring exhibition and it will be presented in Limerick between May 18 – June 6 in The Glazed Street, Limerick City and County Council, Civic Buildings, Merchant’s Quay.
The exhibition is in English and is admission free.
It is presented by the Polish Embassy in Dublin in cooperation with the Limerick City and County Council and the Polish Art Festival.
For more information please visit www.polishconsulexhibition.ie
The launch will coincide with a ceremony of Bestowal of the Bene Merito distinction on Mr. Patrick O’Sullivan, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Poland in Limerick.
The Bene Merito honorary distinction is conferred upon the citizens of the Republic of Poland and foreign nationals in recognition of their merits in promoting Poland abroad.
Bene Merito is awarded by the Minister of Foreign Affairs at the Minister's own initiative or upon the request of other ministers or heads of foreign missions.