Slovak in Ireland, magazine for Slovak community living in Ireland

The editors of Slovak in Ireland magazine met Slovaks to discuss a very popular topic – family in Ireland. More and more Slovaks are giving birth and starting a family in Ireland. Legal entitlements for children and families living in Ireland are discussed and explained including Maternity Benefi t, Child Benefi t and more. Mgr. Anna Grelová from Social and Family Department and Paul Bradley from Social Welfare answered questions from our readers regarding Maternity and Child Benefi t and combination of allowances from Slovak Republic to Ireland.

Katarina Kupci Fidgerald is a Slovak who is married to a Dubliner, Shay Fitzgerald. Shay is a wellknown double bass player of Irish folk band The Black Velvet Band. Katarina and Shay have two children – Leonard and Ariel. Katarina gave birth in Rotunda, Dublin and she was very happy with her experience. She speaks highly of the Domino Service and she would recommend it to all women.

INTERVIEW OF THE MONTH

Interview of the month is with Slovak gynaecologist who is working in Ireland. In the interview he comments that the care given to pregnant women in Ireland is diff erent but much healthier than in Slovakia. There is no reason to be afraid of giving birth in Ireland. We just have to be ready for a diff erent system.

DR. MONIKA ANTEPOWITZ FROM MEDICUS CENTRE

Dr. Monika Antepowitz from Medicus Medical Centre says: ”The pregnancy care doesn`t fulfi ll all the expectations of pregnant women from Slovakia and Poland, e.g. the patient has only one ultrasound scan during pregnancy and blood test. It is also good to know that in Ireland abortion is forbidden. All Polish patients who delivered fi rst baby in Poland and second one in Ireland are very happy with delivery here. So I do not recommend going home but I would advise to have more tests done during pregnancy.”

LUKA BRASE – ART ON THE WAY

Luka Brase is a Slovak graphic artist and photographer who had an exhibition in Vision Centre @ St. Peter`s, North Main Street in Cork in April 2009. He shares his time between Cork, Slovakia and Netherlands. Since 2004 he has visited many countries in Europe which has brought him a lot of interesting photos. His fi rst exhibition was in Slovakia in Dolny Kubin. Then he came to Ireland and his next exhibition will take place in Netherlands. The exhibition is called Art on the Way where he himself is the art.

MIKI BARLOK - PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER IN IRELAND

Miki Barlok is a professional photographer from Slovakia who came to Ireland to establish himself as a photographer in Ireland. When he came here he was working as an architect. “It was not easy to become a photographer in Ireland but I did it.” Nowadays he photographs models, architecture, landscape, sport and concerts. He loves Cork city because everyone knows everyone there.

SLOVAK LANGUAGE SUMMER COURSE

In July 2009 Harmónia in Modra will off er a Slovak language summer course. The course will run from July 12 to August 5, 2009. The applicants who wish to fi nance themselves (without scholarship support) should submit their applications before May 15, 2009. Course Fee: €470 Excursion Fee: €57, 47 Accommodation: €284, 40(double-bed room); €568, 80 (single-bed room) Tourist tax to Modra town: €7, 42 For more information please contact the Slovak Embassy in Dublin by phone 016600012 or e-mail Táto adresa je chránená pred robotmi nevyžiadanej pošty. Ak ju chcete vidieť, musíte mať povolený JavaScript.

PETER ČTVRTNÍČEK

Peter Ctvrtnicek came to Ireland in August 2005. After two months he and his friend set up a construction company based in Cork. Later on, they went their separate business ways. Nowadays Peter employs more than 40 people. The recession has not aff ected him at all. His company has more work to do than ever before. He established business connections between Ireland and Slovakia through the Irish owned company Obor. Obor will invest money in Slovakia to build houses.

SLOVÁKOVICA IN CORK

Marek Ledecky and Slavka Lindvaiova are the organizers of parties for Slovak people living in Cork. Once a month Slovaks living in Cork get together and have fun.