Speech by the President of Diplomat Ireland, Michael Mulcahy at the celebration in Cork to mark Independence Day for Ukraine 2025

“Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Fergal Dennehy, the Ambassador of Ukraine to Ireland, Your Excellency, Larisa Gerasko, former Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Dan Boyle, Distinguished Guests, Members of the Ukrainian community, friends of Ukraine, and people of Cork, as President of Diplomat Ireland, it is a great honour to stand before you today as we gather to celebrate Ukraine’s Independence Day, today. This day holds deep meaning for Ukrainians everywhere – whether in Kyiv, Donbass, Odessa, Kharkiv, or here in Cork. It is not only a commemoration of the restoration of Ukrainian sovereignty in 1991, but also a celebration of the endurance, resilience, and unwavering spirit of a people who have fought to preserve their freedom, culture, and identity against unimaginable challenges over the past three and a half years.

When Ukraine declared independence in 1991, it was the fulfilment of centuries of aspiration. For generations, Ukrainians dreamed of self-determination, of a state where their language, traditions, and history would flourish without suppression. But independence has never come easily. Ukraine has been tested time and again – by political upheaval, by economic crises, and, most painfully, by the illegal war by Russia. Since 2014, and especially since the full-scale invasion of 2022, Ukraine has found itself at the centre of one of the greatest struggles for freedom and democracy in modern times. The world has witnessed not just military resistance, but a whole nation standing up for its right to exist. Ukraine has shown that independence is not a gift – it is something to be defended, protected, and renewed every single day.

This year, 2025, marks 34 years of independence. Thirty-four years in which Ukraine has grown as a nation, built strong democratic institutions, fostered global partnerships, and cultivated a new generation who believe deeply in the values of liberty, dignity, and justice. And yet, the war continues. The wounds remain deep. Families are separated, lives have been lost, and millions have been displaced. And yet, through all this, Ukraine endures and the Spirit of Ukrainians at home, overseas and here in Cork is as strong as it ever was.

Here in Ireland, the Ukrainian story has become part of the Irish story. Since the beginning of the war, Ireland has opened its doors and hearts to tens of thousands of Ukrainians seeking safety. In Cork alone, the Ukrainian community has grown rapidly, bringing with it not only sorrow for what has been left behind, but also immense contributions to local society. Cork City Council and Cork County Council and so many other local and state agencies have supported the community to make Cork their new home, for however long you want to remain with us. Since this war started, the Ukrainian Embassy in Dublin has opened its doors to its citizens. Ambassador Gerasko and her team, and they are a small team, have served their nation and their people with an unbelievable spirit of doing everything possible to support the Ukrainian community in every part of Ireland. That is what you do in a time of war, in a time of need, and I thank you Ambassador and your team on behalf of Cork and Ireland for your unstoppable spirit over the past three and a half years.

When we walk through Cork today, we see Ukrainian cafés serving traditional borscht alongside Irish soda bread. We hear children speaking Ukrainian in the schoolyard, learning Irish phrases from their classmates, embodying the bonds between two nations. We see Ukrainian artists, musicians, and entrepreneurs enriching the cultural life of the city and county. And perhaps most importantly, we see solidarity – Irish neighbours standing alongside Ukrainians, affirming that what happens in Ukraine matters here in Ireland and throughout Europe.

The parallels between Ireland and Ukraine are striking. Ireland, too, has known the long struggle for independence, the fight to preserve language and culture under foreign domination, and the heartbreak of emigration. These shared experiences form a deep empathy, a bridge of understanding between our two peoples.

The Ukrainian community in Cork is more than a group of people seeking refuge – it is a living, breathing testament to resilience. Families have arrived here with little more than a suitcase, but they have built new beginnings. They have found teachers and employers who support them, sports clubs that welcome their children, and communities that open their arms. Ukrainians in Cork have organised cultural festivals, Ukrainian-language classes, church services, and charity events for those still suffering back home. They have not only preserved their traditions but shared them generously with their Irish friends. From Easter celebrations with intricately decorated pysanky eggs, to concerts featuring the haunting melodies of Ukrainian folk music, Cork has been enriched by this cultural exchange.

And let us not forget the extraordinary volunteer spirit, both from Ukrainians and from the people of Cork. Community halls have been filled with donations of clothing and food. Irish families have hosted Ukrainian families in their homes. Together, they have shown what solidarity looks like not just in words, but in action.

As we reflect on Ukraine’s independence today, we must also reflect on what independence truly means. It is not just about national borders. It is about the dignity of people. It is about the ability of children to grow up free from fear, to speak their language proudly, to learn their history without censorship, to live with opportunity and hope. Independence is about the courage to stand for what is right, even when the odds are overwhelming. It is about resilience in the face of hardship, and faith in the future, even when the present is uncertain.

In this sense, every Ukrainian in Cork, every Ukrainian across Ireland, embodies the meaning of independence. By holding on to their traditions, by supporting one another, and by contributing to Irish society, they are carrying forward the flame of Ukrainian freedom, even far from home.

Today is a day of joy, but also a day of solemn remembrance. We remember those who have fallen – the soldiers defending Ukraine on the front lines, the civilians caught in violence, the families torn apart. Their sacrifice is the price of freedom.

But we also celebrate life. We celebrate Ukrainian children learning Irish dances, Irish children learning Ukrainian songs. We celebrate friendship between two peoples who understand each other’s struggles. We celebrate the belief that even in dark times, humanity’s best qualities, compassion, solidarity, courage shine through.

As we mark Ukraine’s Independence Day 2025, we do so with hope. Hope that Ukraine will see peace restored, hope that families will be reunited, hope that reconstruction will bring not just buildings, but communities back to life. Hope that Ukraine will emerge not weakened, but stronger, more united, and more secure in its rightful place as a free European nation.

And here in Cork, we look forward to continuing to walk this journey together. The Ukrainian community are no longer just guests – you are part of Cork’s fabric, part of its schools, its workplaces, its churches, its sports clubs, and its future. The bonds formed here will endure long after the war has ended.

When I served as Honorary Consul of Poland in Ireland 15 years ago, I saw so many members of the Polish community coming to Cork and Ireland because of economic and other circumstances. 32,000 Polish citizens lived in Cork in 2013. Today, thousands of Polish citizens are Irish citizens and have made Cork and Ireland their permanent home. This too is my prediction for the Ukrainian community in Cork and throughout Ireland.

So today, let us raise our voices for Ukraine. Let us honour the bravery of those fighting for freedom. Let us support those rebuilding their lives here in Cork. And let us remind ourselves that independence is never something to take for granted, it is something to cherish, to defend, to love and to celebrate.

Happy Independence Day, Ukraine.

Slava Ukraini”