A baby boy born to Ukrainian refugee parents on the remote Atlantic island of Arranmore has become a cherished figure, affectionately dubbed a ‘little star’ by locals. His arrival in 2023 marks the first birth on the island in more than three decades.
The Karpenko family, consisting of parents Oleksandr (Alex) and Vladyslava and their four young children, found refuge on Arranmore in 2022. The island, with a summer population of around 500, became home after they fled war-torn Ukraine. Baby Marvin, the youngest, was born on the island, a significant event as pregnant women typically travel to the mainland for childbirth.
"Everyone knows him just because he’s a very friendly and active child, and whenever he is on the playground or in a cafe or just around, everyone just wants to hug him or to interact with him," said Sasha Halytska, another Ukrainian refugee who has settled on Arranmore.
Marvin’s older siblings have also adapted remarkably to island life, becoming fluent in Irish. According to islanders, they now speak the language with a distinctive Donegal lilt, sometimes even better than English. They began learning Irish after arriving on Arranmore, a region with Irish-speaking communities, making it easier to pick up the language.
Ms. Halytska, who arrived in Ireland in 2023 after a year of moving within Ukraine, explained the challenges and resilience of her compatriots. "I think it’s a very heroic part of all Ukrainians, that they’re trying to maintain their regular life even when they don’t sleep during the nights and they don’t feel safe and they are worried about their families," she stated.
Inspired by a friend's account, Ms. Halytska herself came to Ireland, initially arriving at a reception center in Dublin before being sent to Dungloe in County Donegal. An 18-month period working in a cafe on Arranmore followed, where she experienced the islanders' welcoming nature.
"I met many local people and everyone was absolutely amazing," she recalled. "So friendly, welcoming, and they were also interested in my story, and the stories of my colleagues, because we had a couple of other Ukrainians working in our cafe. It is remote, but I think because it is remote, people are closer to each other, and that helped a lot. I didn’t feel alone or I didn’t feel secluded from society or anything."
The Karpenko family's story, along with other Ukrainian arrivals on Ireland's Atlantic islands, is featured in a documentary series. The first episode includes footage of the Karpenko children speaking Irish with a strong Donegal accent.
Ms. Halytska also shared the experience of another refugee, Liudmila Bohodist, who moved to Bere Island off the coast of County Cork and left five of her eight children in Ukraine. The transition to a new country, with a different language and customs, was difficult. However, with the help of neighbors, landladies, and modern translation technology, Ms. Bohodist eventually found her footing.
"It’s very hard to be in such a situation when you don’t know English, but with modern technology [translation apps] and with a nice approach, with kindness, I would say there is always a light," Ms. Halytska said.
Reflecting on the future, Ms. Halytska noted that many Ukrainians grapple with the question of returning home versus staying in Ireland, a decision contingent on the ongoing war. "During the first year, we were all hoping that it was going to end soon. Then, after three years [in Ireland], I don’t want to say that I’ve lost hope, but I don’t see how we’re going to come to peace," she shared.
The documentary series, 'Trasna na dTonnta,' began airing on TG4 on Monday, September 14, at 8:30 p.m.