Irish community in Luxembourg

Irish population in Luxembourg: 1,909 in 2019 versus 1,325 in 2011 (source: Statec)

The Irish community In Luxembourg is relatively large with people dispersed across different regions of the Grand Duchy, employed in many different sectors including banking & finance, engineering, recruitment, childcare, hospitality, aviation & aircraft maintenance, EU institutions, e-commerce and media production.

Irish undergraduates also arrive each year to work on a temporary basis (co-op placement) in various companies as a component of attaining their university degrees.

After Ireland became a member of the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1973, Irish citizens arrived in Luxembourg to take up work in the judicial and financial institutions of the Community. In the 40 plus years since then, families settled, children and grandchildren born to one or both Irish parents and many of these these 2nd and 3rd generations of Irish are growing up in Luxembourg today, part of the Irish community.

Many of us came for short stays (6 months, 1 year, 3 years) and never left! Others left and came back. More met their future spouses or partners in Luxembourg (or arrived with their other halves) of a different nationality to themselves and then found that Luxembourg, at the crossroads of Europe, was the perfect neutral country in which to make their home. Students who come on work placement and stay for 6 months often come back after graduation.

There are several Irish associations in Luxembourg with members not just from Ireland but from other countries too, who enjoy visiting Ireland and have an interest in Irish history & culture, especially in Irish language, music and dance. These are listed below with links to their respective websites and/or Facebook pages and all have plenty of information on how to become a member, on their activities and events, many of which are open to non-members.

Traditional and recurrent Irish – themed events in Luxembourg

• Saint Patrick’s day celebrations: March, 17th
• Luxembourg Rose of Tralee Ball
• Run in the Dark – 5 or 10 km for charity
• Darkness into Light Luxembourg – 5 km walk for charity
• Comhaltas Ceoltóirí­ Éireann Luxembourg– Irish Music Summer School
• British and Irish Film Season
• Visit the Irish stand at the International Bazar
• Gaelic football and hurling tournaments
• Gaelic games for children