Donegal veterinary students helping to put Polish GAA club on European stage
Ironically, it was only after moving to Poland that Chaylee first took up Gaelic football
A Culdaff woman studying veterinary medicine in Poland is hoping to raise funds for a GAA club in Eastern Europe, to enable players to compete at the European Games in October later this year.
Chaylee Greene, a fourth-year student at Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, is part of the committee behind Wrocław Éire Óg, which was established by Irish students studying abroad four years ago.
The club, which now has more than 50 members, includes Irish veterinary, medicine, and dentistry students, Irish people working in Poland, and players from several other nationalities.
Donegal is well represented in the club by Bonnie McLaughlin from Buncrana, Nadia Nic Aoidh from Gweedore, Ross Trearty from Ramelton, Rachel Brogan from St Johnston, Joseph Drum from Letterkenny and Chaylee Greene from Culdaff.
While originally set up for Gaelic football, the club is now expanding to include camogie and hurling teams.
Chaylee, who attended Carndonagh Community School, said moving from Culdaff to Poland’s third-largest city was a major adjustment.
“It was a big shock. There are 35 Irish out of 50 in my year, so it was nice. It is a home from home over here, but I like the trams and the public transport, stuff we weren’t used to.”
Wrocław has a population of more than 670,000 people, compared to Culdaff’s population of 385 people according to the 2022 Census.
Growing up on a family farm with sheep and cattle inspired her ambition to become a vet.
“I grew up on a farm, so veterinary is always what I wanted to do. I found out from another person from Culdaff who was studying in Poland about the course. There was only one place in Ireland, UCD, where you could do veterinary, so I kind of knew I would never get that.”
I grew up on a farm, so veterinary is always what I wanted to do.
Chaylee said Poland has become an increasingly popular destination for Irish students because of the limited number of veterinary places available in Ireland.
“Over here in Poland, they don’t look at your points altogether; they just require your science subjects,” she explained. “I definitely think it’s unfair because I know myself that I’m going to be a good vet, and there are so many other people that would make great vets too, but they just wouldn’t have achieved the Leaving Cert points.”
More than 120 Irish students are now enrolled in the veterinary course in Wrocław, with numbers increasing every year. Chaylee believes the university has become “fully accustomed” to teaching Irish students, with all classes delivered through English.
The Culdaff student said the first years of the five-and-a-half-year course were challenging.
“I definitely struggled the first two years because it’s very science-based, but I had so many great people in the older years reassuring me to stick at it,” she said. “Third year and fourth year now have been a lot more hands-on, so I’m getting into it now.”
Chaylee will return home to Inishowen later this summer for work experience and ultimately hopes to settle back in Culdaff after qualifying.
“That’s the dream, everyone tells you to go away for a year or two and make all your mistakes, but I think I’ve been away for long enough. I just can’t wait to get home now.”
Ironically, it was only after moving to Poland that Chaylee first took up Gaelic football.
“I actually never played Gaelic football until I came to Poland,” she laughed. “I played soccer, but I never played Gaelic, so I’m all into it now. They've tried to get me for so many years in Malin to play.”
She became involved with Wrocław Éire Óg shortly after the club was formed and helped grow its membership and activity.
“People were looking for something to do at weekends, and people are so into Gaelic games at home. Last year was the first time competing. We went to tournaments in Vienna and Berlin, and I couldn’t believe how many European cities actually have teams.”
However, travel costs remain the club’s biggest obstacle. “Our closest club is 300 kilometres away, so travelling to tournaments is our biggest challenge. We couldn’t attend the European Games in Belgium this year because of money, so we’re fundraising now to hopefully compete in October.”
To help cover costs, the club has organised an online raffle in aid of Wrocław Éire Óg and the Irish Veterinary Benevolent Fund, which provides services including mental health support for Irish vets, veterinary nurses, and their dependants.
Almost 50 agri-businesses have donated prizes worth an estimated €20,000, including merchandise from Inishowen Co-Op, Inish Farm Supplies, and North West Vets.
“We couldn’t get over the generosity of people locally and throughout the country,”
A return to Ireland could also see Chaylee line out closer to home, with a possible debut for Malin GAA on the cards. “I think I could be tempted.”
She explained that her time in Poland has given her a new appreciation for the demands of Gaelic games after years of playing soccer. “I definitely think the fitness is different in Gaelic. I thought it would be easier than it was, but I definitely think it’s a different fitness than I thought, what is required, so I got my eyes opened.”
The draw will take place this Saturday, May 16, with the fundraiser closing the previous day. To enter the raffle and view the full prize list, go to Irish Vet Students Abroad Mega Raffle on idonate.