Commander’s Cross of the Order for Merit of the Republic of Poland

The Order for Merit of the Republic of Poland is awarded to foreigners and Polish citizens residing abroad who have made an outstanding contribution to international cooperation, and cooperation between the Republic of Poland and other countries and nations through their activities.

 

On Tuesday 3rd May 2022, during the celebrations for the National Day of Poland, Patrick O’Sullivan, Honorary Consul for Poland in Limerick, was decorated with the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, by the Polish Ambassador Ms. Anna Sochańska and Minister Arkady Rzegocki, Head of the Foreign Service of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda, for his many years of service to the Polish community in Ireland.  The celebrations took place in the Ambassador of Poland’s Residence, Dublin.

 

During the ceremony, three national anthems were played: Poland, Ireland, and Ukraine. The celebration was graced by the performance of the Ukrainian pianist Andriy Blyznyuk.

 

The guests of the Dublin celebrations included Patrick’s family and friends, Polish Embassy staff including Mr Grzegorz Sala, Head of the Consular Section, Irish Senators, the Ukranian Ambassador to Dublin Ms. Gerasko Larysa, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Mrs. Alison Gilliland, the Defence Attaché, Military, Naval and Air Attaché Colonel. Mieczysław Malec, who presented the Medals of the Polish Army to Irish soldiers, awarded to them by the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Poland, Mr. M. Błaszczak, for special merits in the field of cooperation within multinational units, which include units of the Polish Army.