'It's important to learn the language': Meet the migrants who are embracing all things Irish

From learning the cúpla focal to Irish dancing, to enjoying a full Irish breakfast, immigrants from Ukraine to Nigeria have become more Irish than the Irish themselves, writes Sarah Horgan

Nataliia Lysenko, who arrived from war-torn Kyiv in March 2022 and has recently started Irish classes.

After years spent embracing our nation’s culture, from trying their hand at Riverdance to mastering the cúpla focal, it’s fair to say some migrants are becoming more Irish than the Irish themselves.

Today, St Patrick’s Day, will be particularly special for many foreign nationals who have adopted the long-running traditions that have shaped our identity.