Becoming in Ireland? An Autobiographical Story of a ‘1.5 Generation’ Child

This chapter presents the story of Mikołaj, who moved to Ireland from Poland at the age of four in the late 2000s. Written from his perspective, it offers insights into the experiences of a child from a Polish family adapting to life in Ireland. Mikołaj’s narrative highlights the challenges of not fully fitting in, especially in the early school years, a common experience for many children of the so-called ‘1.5 generation’ migrants. Yet, it also reveals how Mikołaj navigated his identity and found his place in Irish society over time. The chapter is structured into three sections. The first, developed by Alicja Bobek, the academic co-author, provides the contextual and conceptual backdrop for Mikołaj’s experiences. This is followed by Mikołaj’s personal account, presented in the first person. He reflects on his migration journey, detailing his growth through various educational, social and cultural environments. In the final section, Alicja analyses Mikołaj’s story from a life course perspective and offers a deeper understanding of his experiences as a young Polish migrant growing up in Ireland.