Sikhs in the Republic of Ireland are a religious minority in Republic of Ireland. There are 2,173 Sikhs living in Ireland per the 2022 census of Ireland.[1]
 | |
 Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara in Dublin | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 2,173 | |
| Religions | |
| Sikhism | |
| Languages | |
| English • Irish • Punjabi |
History
edit19th century
editBorn in Limerick in 1841, Max Arthur Macauliffe was an Irish-Sikh convert and a scholar who devoted significant efforts in the late 1800s to translating Sikh scriptures and history into English, helping with the introduction of Sikhism to Europe and North America.[2][3][4]
20th century
editSikh migration to Ireland largely began in the 1950s and 1960s, with Sikhs arriving primarily for work in sectors like manufacturing, transport, and agriculture.[citation needed] During this period, the community expanded into urban areas such as Dublin and Cork. Due to immigration policies in the 1990s and the Celtic Tiger period, Ireland attracted more Sikhs primarily from Punjab into professional jobs within the IT and healthcare sector.[5]
21st century
editSikh immigration in the early 2000s increased as a result of the coming of international students, some of whom stayed and had children in Ireland.[6]
In 2019, over 2,000 people took part in the Nagar kirtan for Vaisakhi in the Sandymount area of Dublin.[7] In 2021, Ravinder Singh Oberoi became the first practicing Sikh of the Garda Síochána Reserves.[8]
Gurdwara
edit- Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara (Ballsbridge, Dublin) - Established in 1987, it is the country's only Gurdwara.[9]
Irish Sikh organisations
editList of notable Irish Sikhs
edit- Max Arthur Macauliffe, Sikh scholar
- Simi Singh, Irish cricketer
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Irish census". Irish census. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "The Limerick man unknown in Ireland but revered by millions worldwide". The Irish Times. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
- ^ University of Ireland Archived 2012-02-07 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Plaque unveiled to West Limerick man honouring his contribution to Sikh Culture and Religion". Limerick. 11 September 2019.
- ^ Myrvold, Kristina; Jacobsen, Knut (17 November 2021). Sikhs in Europe: Migration, Identities and Representations (1st ed.). Routledge. ISBN 9781409424345.
- ^ McGuire, Erin (23 October 2019). "Sikh Dubliners Dream of a Bus Route That Would Connect Their Community". Dublin Inquirer.
A lot of Sikh students came from India to study in Dublin in the early 2000s, and some of them stayed and now have children in school, he says. The original families have brought up children, and grandchildren. The community has grown.
- ^ McGarry, Patsy (7 April 2019). "Estimated 2,000 take part in Dublin Sikh parade". Irish Times.
- ^ Pollak, Sorcha (23 January 2021). "Badge of distinction: Meet the first Sikh in the Garda Reserves". Irish Times.
- ^ McGuire, Erin (23 October 2019). "Sikh Dubliners Dream of a Bus Route That Would Connect Their Community". Dublin Inquirer.
- ^ "Sikhism in Ireland". Dublin City Interfaith Forum.
- ^ Surve, Aakanksha (17 March 2022). "Meet the Irish Sikh community that is helping to expand Ireland's forests to combat climate change". DublinLive.