The fall of Mariupol at Orthodox Easter

As one family walks out of Mariupol with four children, a last-ditch effort to remove those holding strong in the underground caverns beneath a steel factory is taking place. Ukrainian forces and civilians have been stuck underground for weeks. Food and water is running out. And Putin says to just surround the place and wait for them to die. 

There's a field about 19 km outside of Mariupol where a possible mass grave holding thousands of dead has been identified. It is several football fields long. A second mass grave was also spotted. The international tribunals have their hands full. But it will take a long time to bring anyone, especially Putin, to justice. 

Today is Orthodox Easter. The Russians who claim to be Christian have no remorse, no scruples, no Christianity in their bones. 

Christ is Risen! And so shall Ukraine. 

New evidence of Norse connections in Kyiv

Walrus ivory carving from Norway

My speculation about the connections between Dublin and Kyiv has been confirmed by the evidence of trade between Norsemen in Greenland and Dublin and Kyiv. A researcher, archaeologist Natalia Khamaiko, digging on a site along the Dnipro found a treasure trove of items belonging to the Viking era of Kyivan Rus. Among those items was a sample of walrus ivory which provided DNA evidence that the ivory originated in Greenland. It happens to be that of a distinct population of walrus that exists only in Greenland and Arctic Canada. So they were trading and travelling between continents - a 4000 km trade route. Amazing!

The study was written up in Science magazine by Andrew Curry. It's a small world and small wonder I feel at home in Ireland. 

What it means to be Russian today...

Because of Putin's war on Ukraine, Russians everywhere are having a hard time as a result of wide-reaching sanctions. Credit cards don't work, savings in Russia cannot be accessed, and borders are closed to Russian passports. Russians and others are saying it's not fair, that they didn't start or approve of the war. But they didn't stop Putin when they had the chance either. They allowed him to continue to grow more powerful with every term. 

I do feel bad for Russians who are truly dissidents and have had to leave Russia due to persecution for speaking the truth. They did try to change things. But this is war. And war is never fair. The New Yorker today had a great cartoon explaining the situation from the Russian's perspective. 

My prediction is that it will remain difficult to be Russian for a long time after this, much as it was difficult to be German or Japanese after WWII. Russian oil is tainted with Ukrainian blood. And so it will remain. 

The state of winemaking in Ukraine

Photo by Slivino Village winery

Instead of bottling wine in Ukraine, they are using the bottles to make 'Bandera smoothies'.  The men have gone to war and there's no one to work the vineyards. Those who remain are too afraid to move about for work. The glass bottle-making factory was destroyed. Many of the wineries were pillaged and destroyed. 

Read all about the tragedy from one fledgling industry's perspective. Named after Stepan Bandera, a controversial Nationalist who died in 1959 after being poisoned by Soviet agents and is seen by some as a national hero who fought for Ukrainian independence during the 1930s and 1940s, the 'Bandera smoothie' may be the only viable option for the winemakers at this time.  

Meanwhile, lots of celebrities have jumped on the bandwagon to help Ukraine. Actor Mila Kunis — who was born in Ukraine — and her husband Ashton Kutcher have already raised more than $35 million for refugees of the war in Ukraine through their Stand with Ukraine GoFundMe page.

Chef José Andrés and his World Central Kitchen has served more than 5 million meals to refugees as well as civilians and emergency responders in Ukraine. 

AirBnB has vowed to house up to 100,000 refugees on a short term basis. But are they up to the task?  Logistical issues are problematic. 

There are many good people in the world. I wish a few would stand up to Putin and oust him from his long table. 

Blood money

As long as Europeans buy Russian natural resources, there will be money flowing into the war against Ukraine. 

In each barrel of Russian oil you import, there's Ukrainian blood. 

- MP

Mr Shmyal spoke to the BBC's Clive Myrie and described money given to Russia for oil and gas as "blood money... to buy weapons from which they kill Ukrainians." Buying it is financing Russian war crimes. You can't buy just a little bit and be complacent. 

Vladimir Putin sells 5m barrels of crude oil per day, a large share of which goes to Europe. As EU leaders gather to discuss the crisis, we call on people everywhere to boycott Russian oil now. Russian oil is funding the invasion of Ukraine and the murder of innocent people. We must cut off this funding at the source. This trade can and must be stopped through pressure brought by you, the consumer, on companies and governments.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Well, the weather has been shite here as they say  until mid-day when it cleared up and the parades were held, finally, in sunshine. There is little progress in the vineyard as the temps have been cold. 

Our lives are complicated as I've been helping Ukrainian refugees coming to Ireland at the same time that my husband's mother is dying. Reconciling war and death are eating me up. It's hard to be positive about a vineyard in the interim. 

Meanwhile, Vitis Vanessa has woken up and is doing well in the polytunnel. As are the fruit trees - apple, peach and avocado. And Jenny the kiwi has started doing her thing. I've even started a peach and mango from seed and have bought a lemon and calamondin orange at Aldi. A bit of solace.

Now all I want is to be left alone to tend to my flock. 

Process for Integrating Ukrainian families

We now have experience with getting several families settled in Ireland. Here's what we've learned. It's best to set up a local action group with defined responsibilities so everyone does not duplicate roles. Set up a What's App group for coordinated communication. I will keep updating this page as we learn more. 

1. Social media is a critical means of ongoing communication with the Ukrainians arriving in Ireland and with their relatives at home. Their mobile service stops working at the border, but Facebook Messenger works everywhere (except Russia) with WiFi. So having WiFi at the accommodation is essential. The Facebook page for Ukrainians in Ireland is very helpful. 

2. Their devices use European two-pronged plugs so they will need multiple adapters from EU to Irish three-pronged for recharging devices ASAP. 

3. SIM cards (unlocked for calls to Ukraine) are the second thing they need. This enables them to communicate with community volunteers and family when they are outside the home without WiFi. An Post has started supplying free SIM cards to Ukrainian refugees.

4. They should immediately make an appointment with the local INTREO Office to register for a PPS number.  It takes a long time to fill out the forms. Pick them up in advance and fill them out before the appointment. PPS number enables access to all social and medical services. It also allows people to work.

5. Organise the community around them for transport. They don't have cars so they will need to get to shops, to interviews, to government offices, and to schools and churches. Spare bicycles can be handy in improving mobility. Access to public transport can be vital and needs to be explained. Consider organising a local transport minibus route. 

6. Ukrainians speak either Ukrainian or Russian, but they are by conviction wholly Ukrainian. Try to organize a translation capability for the community. 

7. Both the Church and the GAA can be great social and support links to families in the area. Ukrainians are mostly either Orthodox Christian or Byzantine rite Catholic and for the most part deeply religious. The Orthodox may not think they are allowed to attend services in the Roman Catholic parishes so they need to be invited. 

8. The schools have been remarkably supportive and welcoming. There has been no question about children attending the  National Schools and receiving full support in terms of books, bags and uniforms. We have even created a registration form in Ukrainian and English in Google docs which we will gladly share. iPads with Google Translate are really useful in the first days. A few cards that will help communicate needs like going to the toilet will help. 

9. Social Welfare payments will start Wednesday 16/03/22 at An Post office. Bring passport and letter with PPS number. (Be sure to write down your PPS numbers on a separate card first so you have them later.) Once signed up, the payments will come every month. https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/abf3e-social-welfare-supports-for-ukrainian-citizens-arriving-in-ireland-under-the-temporary-protection-directive/  PSC cards are necessary for welfare payments. 

10. Medical cards are offered to Ukrainians in Ireland. The information about how to obtain medical cards will be updated here. 

11. Jobs are important for preserving self-esteem. The hospitality sector is in need of staff and has been interviewing Ukrainians who arrive and are able and willing to work, which is just about everyone, although some knowledge of English is required. Create a liaison, someone in the local business community, to forward resumes to local businesses. 

Assistance with a job search can be found here. 

12. Many businesses have offered donations of clothing and other supplies to refugees, many of whom arrive with just the clothes on their backs. Appoint a local contact for businesses that would like to contribute. 

13. The Community Family Resource Centres have experience with support services like the translation of pamphlets with vital information and language courses for adults. Let them know what you need. Identify Ukrainians who have both English and Ukrainian skills to assist. 

14. People arriving in Ireland having fled the war in Ukraine can now travel to their final destination for free on Expressway and Bus Éireann services.  Also now train service is free for Ukrainian refugees.

15. English for beginners, for Ukrainians in Ireland with a Ukrainian-language teacher.

Beginners. Higher levels are possible, depending on demand
Classes will be held on zoom on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 18.15 - 19.15 pm.
The first meeting is on Wednesday, March 16.
Welcome!

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/5650921101...

Meeting ID: 565 092 1101

Passcode: hhxJ6g

16. Secondary schools are accepting students but require a bit more planning. School bus has to be arranged separately from the school and directly with the company providing bus service for insurance purposes. 

17. An Post will provide social welfare payments. You must come in person with your PPS letter and photo ID after the 5th of every month once registered. 

18. An Post will also provide money transfers between Ukraine and Ireland with fees waived for the first year. Also, they will provide a current bank account for refugees and free postage for letters and packages to Ukraine. https://www.facebook.com/120409074730549/posts/4628562977248447/. 

19. My Health, My Language  (added 09/11/22)

Find information about the public healthcare system and common health topics in your language.

About the Irish Health Service

The guide is in three parts;

• Part 1 gives information on how to access different types of health care, the services that are free, and how the GP, Pharmacy and hospital systems work.

• Part 2 gives information about specialist services (dental treatments, eye tests, hearing aids, vaccinations) and some of the staff you may meet in the health system.

• Part 3 advises what to do in an emergency.

20. HSE Directory of resources 

Useful websites:

Ukrainian Crisis Centre in Ireland

Irish Red Cross

Ukraine Take Shelter