A Polish woman living in Donegal is setting up a stall at a country market to advise Irish fans what to do and what to expect at Euro 2012.
Agatha Szavek came up with the idea because she wanted to give something back after receiving a warm welcome since she arrived here in 2004.
Agatha, 36, will set up at the stand at the Letterkenny Community Centre this weekend.
“We realise there are a lot of people travelling there but there is only a small knowledge of what it is like there.
“This is payback for the lovely hospitality we got from the Donegal community.
“Hopefully they will get good weather, good fun and the nightlife over there is great. Hopefully Ireland will make it to the semi-finals,” she said.
Mum-of-two Agatha has contacted the Polish Embassy and they have given her lots of advice leaflets for fans.
The Polish shop where she works in Letterkenny ‘Your Delicatessen’ have also helped her with the stall.
She has also compiled a small translation leaflet of phrases which Agatha thinks the Irish fans will use at the soccer finals.
She is also cooking many of Poland’s favorite dishes for fans to try this weekend ahead of their trips including Beetroot soup!
“Irish people are very like Polish people in that they like their potatoes but we have some different foods.
“I am hoping they try the new foods and eat them when they get to Poland,” she said.
The only problem Agata now has is who to support is Poland or her adopted country.
“My daughter Natalie (16) was born in Poland and will be cheering for Poland but my son Marcel (3) was born in Ireland and will be cheering on Robbie Keane. I’m stuck in the middle,” she laughed.
