'Slava Ukraini': Ukraine’s Independence Day took place in Carrick on Shannon

The Ukrainian community in Leitrim honoured their country's national holiday at a special event in the Market Yard, Carrick on Shannon, last Saturday, August 19. 

Ukraine's Ambassador to Ireland, Gerasko Larys, attended the event that celebrated the breaking free of the Soviet Union in 1991 - this year, the date takes on special meaning as Ukraine is still fighting to retain that independence since Russia launched in February 2022, a full-scale war. 

"It is a very challenging and hard time for all Ukrainians and many European countries that support and assist us along this great fight for independence. Ireland and Ukraine have a lot in common in our history. We both know what independence and being a free country means", said the Ukrainian Ambassador. 

"Russia continues attacking our country every single day. For all Ukrainians, it is challenging, because we don't know what is happening the next minute, next hour or next morning. Who is still there doesn't know if they will survive or not, their relatives or their houses", she added. 

Following the tragic killing of a family of a Ukrainian woman living in Leitrim, where four family members died last week, including a 23-day-old baby girl, after a Russian attack on their hometown of Shyroka Balka near Kherson Oblast. 

Gerasko Larys, Ukraine's Ambassador to Ireland, speaking at the event, thanked the Irish community for their support and community, adding "We hope that this war will end next year and then we will celebrate that peacefully together". 

Cathoirleach of County Leitrim, Justin Warnock, attended the celebration and told the community members that Ireland and Ukraine share many commonalities in their history - both achieved independence from a dominant neighbour. 

"As the Ukraine people and their security forces struggle today to maintain their independence and peace, yours and Ireland's history should be kept in mind. On Ukraine Independence Day, we pay tribute to the strength and courage of the Ukrainian people in facing Russia for an unjustifying invasion. 

"We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. For those who have arrived here from Ukraine, I hope you have found a safe, warm friendship in Leitrim for as long as you need. 

"Most of you look forward to the day you can return home to a peaceful Ukraine; that day, it will come. In the meantime, you are most welcome here. Our home is your home", added the Cathoirleach of County Leitrim. 

1,451 Ukrainian people have arrived in Leitrim since the outbreak of war, according to the latest figures released by the Central Statistics Office in February 2023. Nationally, nearly 75,000 Ukrainians have arrived in the country. 

In support of the Ukrainian community, Sligo Leitrim TD Martin Kerry at the event said: "We are here celebrating the Ukrainian Independence Day with the Ukraine Ambassador and a lot of people across Leitrim who came here in support of refugees. In the past year and a half, we had almost 2,000 people from Ukraine coming and living in Leitrim, welcomed by the community. I am delighted to be here today, to be part of that and to celebrate Ukrainian culture".

Organised by Ukrainian residents, Leitrim County Council's Healthy Leitrim Programme, the Leitrim Development Company's SICAP Programme, the Leitrim Volunteer Centre, and the Leitrim International Community Group, the open community event was an experience into the Ukrainian culture with a mixture of music, song, dance and food.