A young man from Carlow Town has been selected to represent Ireland’s Polish community in the national Beyond Borders campaign.
Franek Dobronski was selected from more than 125,000 people for the initiative led by Forum Polonia which aims to challenge stereotypes and celebrate the role of Polish communities across the country.
It wants to highlight the achievements, creativity, and contributions of Polish people in Ireland.
Franek represents a generation that grows up between two cultures. While Ireland is the place he calls home, Poland remains a deeply rooted part of his identity.
Franek said about his life in Ireland: “Having been born in Poland but moving here when I was just a few months old, I do call Ireland my home. Poland is my second home thanks to the family connections and being able to speak the language.”
Franek is currently completing a Bachelor’s degree in Climate and Environmental Sustainability at Dublin City University. Beyond his studies, he is actively involved in a wide range of youth organisations, including the National Youth Council of Ireland, National Youth Assembly of Ireland, Spunout, An Taisce’s Climate Ambassador Programme, and Concern Worldwide.
“When I work in these organisations, I always feel a sense of pride, since I’m representing a demographic of the population that is close to my identity.” said Franek
The campaign has been commissioned by Forum Polonia, a Polish migrant rights organisation. Through a series of personal stories, portraits, and short videos, the campaign showcases ten Polish individuals from across Ireland who are shaping their communities in diverse fields — from education and culture to business, art, science, and volunteering. The project challenges sometimes outdated stereotypes about Polish migrants and aims to highlight the complexity of identity — reminding audiences that every person who has come to Ireland brings with them not just a journey, but a lifetime of experience, talent, and resilience.
Barnaba Dorda, the Chair of Forum Polonia, said, “A year ago, we celebrated the 20th anniversary of Poland joining the EU, and that was the beginning of the large-scale migration of Poles to Ireland. Many of us started working in manual work sectors, filling in labour gaps. Twenty years on, we can see the progress the Polish community has made, but we feel that the stereotypes about Polish migrant workers are still prevalent. With the ‘Beyond Borders’ campaign, we want to replace labels with stories. Polish people have been part of Ireland’s progress for two decades — this campaign celebrates that connection and reminds us that we all belong.”
Aga Wypychowska, said: “The campaign’s central message is We are here. We create. We inspire. An immigrant is a full person with a personal history, professional life, and unique skills. We want to show that Polish people are not just participants in Irish life — they are co-creators of it.”
The Beyond Borders campaign will run across Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn, featuring short video interviews, photography, and a final short film summarising the initiative. Forum Polonia invites everyone — Polish, Irish, and beyond — to follow the campaign, share the stories, and celebrate life Beyond Borders.
